Month: December 2020

2 Chron 35:20 After all this, when Josiah had set the temple in order, Necho king of Egypt went up to fight at Carchemish on the Euphrates, and Josiah marched out to meet him in battle.

Lord, You have brought me to the end of another school week. Thank You. You have shown me that holding on to my anger and fear leads me to impotent fury, which is utterly useless. Thank You.

2 Chron 35:21a But Necho sent messengers to him, saying, “What quarrel is there, king of Judah, between you and me? It is not you I am attacking at this time, but the house with which I am at war….”

Lord, You have reminded me that I need to humble myself before You. All these things that seem so important, that have me so riled up, they are not what You have called me to. You have called me to be a light for You. Thank You.

2 Chron 35:21b “…God has told me to hurry, so stop opposing God, who is with me, or He will destroy you.”

Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for the reminder that if I continue on my current path after You have clearly shown me that You need me to go a different way, that is my own disobedience. Help me, Lord, to turn away from my anger, fear, and misery and to turn toward Your light. Help me to shine that light for all to see. Draw me closer. Amen.

2 Chron 35:22 Josiah, however, would not turn away from him, but disguised himself to engage him in battle. He would not listen to what Necho had said at God’s command but went to fight him on the plain of Megiddo.

Have a blessed day.

2 Chron 34:27a ‘Because your heart was responsive and you humbled yourself before God when you heard what He spoke against this place and its people….

Lord, I humble myself before You this morning. I am so tired. I am so angry. I am so frustrated and afraid. Forgive me for allowing these emotions to eclipse what I know to be true: You are good and loving. You are sovereign and in control, You can use ALL things for my good and Your glory if I allow. Help me, Lord, as I navigate this day.

2 Chron 34:27b …and because you humbled yourself before me and tore your robes and wept in my presence, I have heard you, declares the LORD.’

Lord, Help me to continue to humble myself before You, even after I leave the shelter of my recliner. When I am interacting with people whose beliefs and agendas are different than mine, help me to stand humbly before You, shining Your light. Take me out of myself, Lord. Fill me with Your peace, Your compassion, Your love.

2 Chron 34:31a The king stood by his pillar and renewed the covenant in the presence of the LORD….

Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for the reminder that it’s not about me. It is about You and Your fierce, unconditional, unwavering, compassionate love, grace, and mercy. Help me, Lord, to humble myself before You and to shine Your light. Draw me closer. Amen.

2 Chron 34:31b …to follow the LORD and keep His commands, statutes and decrees with all his heart and all his soul, and to obey the words of the covenant written in this book.

Have a blessed day.

2 Chron 33:1-2 Manasseh…ruled in Jerusalem fifty-five years. He did evil in the eyes of the LORD, following the detestable practices of the nations the LORD had driven out before the Israelites.

Commentary on this chapter says, “It has been said that God speaks to us in our pleasures and he shouts to us in our pains.” This quote put me in mind of pride and humility and the rage I am still battling. It has occurred to me, finally, that perhaps my pride is at the root of these awful feelings.

2 Chron 33:10-11 The LORD spoke to Manasseh and his people, but they paid no attention. So the LORD brought against them the army commanders of the king of Assyria, who took Manasseh prisoner, put a hook in his nose, bound him with bronze shackles and took him to Babylon.

These emotions certainly aren’t godly. They aren’t drawing me closer to my Savior. The opposite is true. I am so angry, so frustrated, so exhausted that I’m withdrawing from everyone. But I’m not being targeted or attacked. It’s dumb luck and circumstances beyond my control. However, I’m taking it all very personally.

2 Chron 33:12 In his distress he sought the favor of the LORD his God and humbled himself greatly….

Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for the reminder that these emotions are separating me from You, and that’s not ok. Help me to humble myself before You, Lord. Help me to park my feelings of personal injustice and self-importance, leading me to feel so terribly affronted. Help me break down and break through these emotions that are hardening my heart and separating me from You. Draw me closer, Lord. Grant me Your peace. Amen.

2 Chron 33:13 And when he prayed to Him, the LORD was moved by his entreaty and listened to his plea; so He brought him back to Jerusalem and to his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD is God.

Have a blessed day.

2 Chron 30:17 Since many in the crowd had not consecrated themselves, the Levites had to kill the Passover lambs for all those who were not ceremonially clean and could not consecrate their lambs to the LORD.

Commentary explains that the ones who had not purified themselves properly were the remnant from the north who had been separated from the Lord for so long and without anyone to show them what they were supposed to do. Commentary also says that God will not turn His face from those who return to Him. “God promises to draw near to those who draw near to Him.”

2 Chron 30:18a Although most of the many people who came from Ephraim, Manasseh, Issachar and Zebulun had not purified themselves, yet they ate the Passover, contrary to what was written….

Hezekiah’s is striving for a return of the people to God. He prays that God will pardon those whose heart is seeking Him, even if they are not clean according to the rules of the sanctuary. God hears Him and heals the people.

2 Chron 30:18b-19 …But Hezekiah prayed for them, saying, “May the LORD, who is good, pardon everyone who sets their hearts on seeking God—the LORD, the God of their ancestors—even if they are not clean according to the rules of the sanctuary.”

Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for the reminder that what is important is turning our hearts back to You. Thank You for knowing our hearts. Help us to draw closer to You. Always. Amen.

2 Chron 30:29 And the LORD heard Hezekiah and healed the people.

Have a blessed day.

2 Chron 29:2 [Hezekiah] did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, just as his father David had done.

I’ve been in a bit of a funk this week. It is the end of the semester, I am exhausted, there is a resurgence in Covid cases, I worry for my health and the health of those I care about—my family, my colleagues, my students. Commentary on this chapter says: “…in every opportunity to encounter God, we have the choice to either turn our back or our face to God.” I definitely feel like I have been more focused on the negatives this week.

2 Chron 29:11 My sons, do not be negligent now, for the LORD has chosen you to stand before Him and serve Him.

But the number of people who have commiserated with the way I’m feeling tell me it is absolutely real and valid for so many of us right now. I know God is in control. I know He will work all things for the good of those who love Him. I struggle with how to acknowledge what I know is occurring for many of us right now, while still acknowledging what I know to be true about my Savior—that He sees us, He knows our struggles, and He is working even now.

2 Chron 29:35b …So the service of the LORD was reestablished.

Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for the reminder that You are in control. Show me how to be a light for You, a light to those who are struggling, even as I struggle myself. Help me to turn my face to You. Draw me closer. Amen.

2 Chron 29:36 Hezekiah and all the people rejoiced at what God had brought about for His people, because it was done so quickly.

Have a blessed day.

2 Chron 28:1 Ahaz was twenty years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem sixteen years. Unlike David his father, he did not do what was right in the eyes of the LORD.

Lord, Thank You for helping me make it to the end of a very long week. I feel like I am limping towards the finish line, but I know You are with me, and that is a gift and a comfort.

2 Chron 28:2 He followed the ways of the kings of Israel and also made idols for worshiping the Baals.

Lord, Thank You that I do not have to pretend with You. You know my struggles, my fears and doubts, my frustrations. Help me to keep my eyes and heart on You, Lord. You are sovereign and steadfast. Thank You for holding me.

2 Chron 28:5 Therefore the LORD his God delivered him into the hands of the king of Aram….

Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for the reminder to draw closer to You, even as I slog through. Help me, Lord. Draw me closer. Amen.

2 Chron 28:22 In his time of trouble King Ahaz became even more unfaithful to the LORD.

Have a blessed day.

2 Chron 27:1 Jotham was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem sixteen years….

Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for meeting me here each morning, even when I am exhausted and frustrated. Thank You for surrounding me with Your love, with people who love You and who love me. Draw us closer to You with each breath.

2 Chron 27:2a He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, just as his father Uzziah had done….

Lord, Thank You for godly people who stay focused on You. Thank You for the example that we see in Your word. Thank You for the lessons we can learn when we read, pray, study, and seek You.

2 Chron 27:2b …but unlike him he did not enter the temple of the LORD. The people, however, continued their corrupt practices.

Lord, Thank You for the reminder that I can find rest and renewal in You. Thank You for being my strength when my strength is gone. Be with me, with all of us, in the coming days and weeks. Guard us. Guide us. Renew us. Draw us closer. Amen.

2 Chron 27:6 Jotham grew powerful because he walked steadfastly before the LORD his God.

Have a blessed day.

2 Chron 26:4 [Uzziah] did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, just as his father Amaziah had done.

Once again we have a story of a king who did not finish well. He started well and was blessed by God, but he got very full of himself, started acting in his own power instead of depending on God. Again, I know this is relevant to my own situation, to the anger, frustration, fear, and resentment I am feeling so often and so deeply, but I am having trouble discerning whether this is a warning to not stray from God or a call to action in His name.

2 Chron 26:5 He sought God during the days of Zechariah, who instructed him in the fear of God. As long as he sought the LORD, God gave him success.

A friend asked yesterday about the line between wrath/sin and righteousness indignation. She asked, “Shouldn’t we all be flipping tables right now?” However, I feel like my rage is more “impotent fury” than righteousness indignation. I don’t feel like I have the power to enact positive change for anyone—myself, my family, my colleagues, my students. Jesus, Help me.

2 Chron 26:16 But after Uzziah became powerful, his pride led to his downfall. He was unfaithful to the LORD his God, and entered the temple of the LORD to burn incense on the altar of incense.

Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. You have definitely got my attention, Lord, and I am trying diligently to discern what You would have me to do from here. Show me, Lord. Direct me. Guide me. Help me to shine Your light for all. Grant me the peace and hope that can only come from You. Draw me closer. Amen.

2 Chron 26:17-18 Azariah the priest with eighty other courageous priests of the LORD followed him in.  They confronted King Uzziah….

Have a blessed day.