II KINGS & I CHRONICLES

It is Monday morning, and it sure was a good day yesterday!  The LORD blessed.  People were saved, baptized, and joined the church.  Another great crowd of people.  About 30 cars were in the overflow parking and that is exciting.  God has been so good to us.  In my reading today, I have a few thoughts to share: 1) A HEATHEN KING HAS PRIESTS TEACH ABOUT GOD- In II Kings 17, the King of Assyria had moved people from other lands to the land of Samaria, in Israel.  Because of that, he wanted them to know who the God of the land was, so he had priest teach them about God.  verse 27 says:  "Then the king of Assyria commanded, saying, Carry thither one of the priests whom ye brought from thence; and let them go and dwell there, and let him teach them the manner of the God of the land."  Now, they did not become followers of God, but God became another "god" to add to their long list of gods that they worshiped.  We need to make sure that God is not just another god we worship, but the only God! 2) HEZEKIAH RESPONDS TO CRISES- In II Kings chapter 18, Rab-shakeh the spokesman for the King of Assyria, comes to Jerusalem and tells Hezekiah and the people of Judah to surrender.  King Hezekiah says that the LORD will protect them, and Rab-shakeh reminds him that none of the other gods have helped at all in protecting their land.  He belittles the fact that Hezekiah trusts in the LORD and warns the people not to listen to their king.  Now, in chapter 19, Hezekiah has to deal with this stressful, troubling crises in his life and in the kingdom.  Here is what he does:  A. Humbles himself (vs.1);  B. Goes to the House of God (vs. 1);  C. Seeks out the Man of God (vs. 2); and D. Prays (vs. 4)  This formula for crises can still work!  Try it next time you are in a desperate situation.  3) RECKONED BY GENEALOGIES- The first eight chapters of I Chronicles are simply a genealogical record of the tribes of Israel and their leaders.  In I Chron. 9:1, we read:  "So all Israel were reckoned by genealogies; and, behold, they were written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah, who were carried away to Babylon for their transgression."  So the names are important after all!  Hope you have a blessed day.  Do pray for my good friend Dr. Bruce Goddard.  His son, Josh, has just been diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer.  Josh is only 25 years old.  Let us pray like Hezekiah did that this will not come to pass. Pastor Mike Mutchler