There are two passages assigned for today! SCRIPTURE: Ecclesiastes 1 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: I observed everything going on under the sun, and really, it is all meaningless—like chasing the wind. What is wrong cannot be made right. What is missing cannot be recovered. [Ecclesiastes 1:14-15] The Teacher is not very hopeful; from his point of view, there is no…
unlimited patience
SCRIPTURE: 2 Chronicles 36 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: The Lord, the God of their ancestors, repeatedly sent his prophets to warn them, for he had compassion on his people and his Temple. But the people mocked these messengers of God and despised their words. They scoffed at the prophets until the Lord’s anger could no longer be restrained and nothing…
ass.u.me.
SCRIPTURE: 2 Chronicles 35 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: After Josiah had finished restoring the Temple, King Neco of Egypt led his army up from Egypt to do battle at Carchemish on the Euphrates River, and Josiah and his army marched out to fight him. But King Neco sent messengers to Josiah with this message: “What do you want with me,…
prove it
SCRIPTURE: 2 Chronicles 34 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: You were sorry and humbled yourself before God when you heard his words against this city and its people. You humbled yourself and tore your clothing in despair and wept before me in repentance. And I have indeed heard you, says the Lord. [2 Chronicles 34:27] Am I really sorry? Do I really feel…
mercy for the worst of sinners
SCRIPTURE: 2 Chronicles 33 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: But while in deep distress, Manasseh sought the Lord his God and sincerely humbled himself before the God of his ancestors. And when he prayed, the Lord listened to him and was moved by his request. So the Lord brought Manasseh back to Jerusalem and to his kingdom. Then Manasseh finally realized…
messengers of hope or despair?
SCRIPTURE: 2 Chronicles 32 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: Be strong and courageous! Don’t be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria or his mighty army, for there is a power far greater on our side! He may have a great army, but they are merely men. We have the Lord our God to help us and to fight…
eternal riches
SCRIPTURE: 2 Chronicles 31 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: The people of Israel responded immediately and generously by bringing the first of their crops and grain, new wine, olive oil, honey, and all the produce of their fields. [2 Chronicles 31:5] When Hezekiah and his officials came and saw these huge piles, they thanked the Lord and his people Israel! [2 Chronicles 31:8] In all…
welcome by grace alone
SCRIPTURE: 2 Chronicles 30 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: Most of those who came from Ephraim, Manasseh, Issachar, and Zebulun had not purified themselves. But King Hezekiah prayed for them, and they were allowed to eat the Passover meal anyway, even though this was contrary to the requirements of the Law. For Hezekiah said, “May the Lord, who is good, pardon…
restored to service
SCRIPTURE: 2 Chronicles 29 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: So the Temple of the Lord was restored to service. And Hezekiah and all the people rejoiced because of what God had done for the people, for everything had been accomplished so quickly. [2 Chronicles 29:35-36] I am reflecting on the words “restored to service”. In this chapter Hezekiah enacts a national repentance, a…
the right kind of zeal
SCRIPTURE: 2 Chronicles 28 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: The king took the various articles from the Temple of God and broke them into pieces. He shut the doors of the Lord’s Temple so that no one could worship there, and he set up altars to pagan gods in every corner of Jerusalem. He made pagan shrines in all the towns…