II CHRONICLES

What a wonderful day we had at Church yesterday with people baptized both morning and evening and many decisions for Christ.  A great crowd of people present morning and evening and a great time with the deacons after the evening service.  I just enjoyed the day so much!  God was so good to us.  Praise His Holy Name!!   I'm in II Chronicles, and here are some thoughts to share with you:   1) THE REAL PROBLEM- When a nation slips away from God, nothing good happens.  In II Chron. 15:3, it tells of three problems that the nation of Israel had that caused their problems: "Now for a long season Israel hath been without the true God, and without a teaching priest, and without law."  Notice the three things they are "without"?  These things will doom any nation.  Let us beware and stick with these.    2) THE CHALLENGE- Asa, king of Israel, was given a challenge in II Chron. 15:7:  "Be ye strong therefore, and let not your hands be weak:  for you work shall be rewarded."  What a marvelous challenge and a tremendous promise!  If we will do the work of God in the right way, then our work will be rewarded.  Makes me want to serve God all the more!    3) LOVE THIS TRUTH- I have always loved the statement found in II Chron. 16:9 "For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him."  Imagine God's eyes looking throughout the earth, up and down, back and forth, looking, looking for someone who has a heart for God so that God can flex His mighty arm!  I love it!  I think so often, LORD... look at me... here I am.... I love you, I want to have a perfect heart towards my God... please flex your mighty arm and show your strength on my behalf!  We can claim this if we have that perfect heart towards our God.   4) WHAT TO DO, WHEN YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO- In II Chron. 20:12, Hezekiah prayed and said:  "O our God, wilt thou not judge them?  for we have no might aginst this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do:  but our eyes are upon thee."  They didn't know what to do, but... a. They looked to God  "but our eyes are upon thee."  b. They waited on God  (vs. 13) "All Judah stood before the LORD"  c. They put their confidence in God  (vs. 15) "Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God's."  And God did deliver!  God will deliver us as well!    Well, I've got to go for now.  I've taken up two hours reading slowly and then typing, and I have a busy day ahead of me.  May God bless you dear friend!  Pastor Mike Mutchler