Wednesday, February 9, 2011

II CHRONICLES

Today is Wednesday.  I'm looking forward to teaching tonight as we "Walk Through The Bible" each Wednesday evening.  I have enjoyed going through the people, places, and events of the Bible and others are enjoying it as well.  Today, I read ten chapters in II Chronicles again.  Here are some special points I would like to draw to your attention:
1) PROSPERED BY GOD- II Chron. 26:5 says:  'And he sought God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding in the visions of God:  and as long as he sought the LORD, God made him to prosper."  This is talking about Uzziah, the king of Judah.  He sought God, and God made him to prosper.  This principle is still true.  God loves us unconditionally, but the blessings of God are conditional.  He doesn't just bless and prosper us because we are His children, God blesses based upon our obedience and humility in His presence.  Look to God and do your best to follow Him, and He will bless and prosper you! 
2) KING: Let's serve God; PEOPLE: Ha, ha!- Yes, that is what happened in II Chronicles 30.  In verse 6, Hezekiah says:  "ye children of Israel, turn again unto the LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, and he will return to the remnant of you, that are escaped out of the hand of the kings of Assyria."  Now, Hezekiah is the king of Judah, but he is writing to the remnant of Israel, who had already been taken into Assyrian captivity.  In verse 9, he says:  "for the LORD your God is gracious and merciful, and will not turn away his face from you, if ye return unto him."  So, the King gave them godly words and now, lets look at their response:  verse 10:  "So the posts passed from city to city through the country of Ephraim and Manasseh even unto Zebulun: but they laughed them to scorn, and mocked them."
They laughed at the idea of returning to God.  Now, verse 11 will tell us that a few from Asher, Manasseh, and Zebulun humbled themselves and came to Jerusalem for the first Passover they would have in a long time.  How do we respond to God's Word?  Do we heed it, or resist it, or laugh at it?  These responses are seen all around us. 
3) ABUNDANCE IN CHURCH- God's plan works!  If we would all heed it, then the needs of the Church would be met and more.  In II Chronicles 31:10, there were great heaps and when the King asked about them, Zadok the priest said: "Since the people began to bring the offerings into the house of the LORD, we have had enough to eat, and have left plenty:  for the LORD hath blessed his people; and that which is left is this great store."  More than enough was given to the house of the LORD!  God met the need and more.  He would do it again, if ALL of God's people did right by Him and His Church!  Let us be faithful to give to the LORD out of that which He gave to us in the first place.
4) CLEANING UP THE TEMPLE- Manasseh was a evil king who served idolatry, but in the last years of his reign, he humbled himself before God, and turned to serve the LORD.  In II Chronicles 33:15,16, he had the temple all cleaned out ready to serve the LORD.  He later died, and his son, Amon reigned for only two years!  But, when Amon's son took over because His father died, then Josiah became the king who desired to live for the LORD.  He also had to clean out the temple and it was so filled up with trash and such, that they found the book of the Law.  In two years, Amon had completely desecrated the temple and now Josiah (at eight years of age) has to have the temple cleared out and cleaned up.  It just goes to show how quickly and how badly things can fall apart when we depart from the LORD.  Don't do it!

Well, so much for today.  Hope these thoughts give you some insight into what is going on in these chapters and the truths they hold for us today.  May God richly bless you and yours!  Pastor Mike Mutchler
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