Category: 2 Chronicles

2 Chron 36:15 The LORD, the God of their ancestors, sent word to them through his messengers again and again, because He had pity on His people and on His dwelling place.

My pastor has an expression: “The worst thing is never the last thing.” It is a message of hope, a message to keep looking for God’s grace, mercy, and compassion in life because it is there. The books of Chronicles have been billed from the beginning as “…essentially…books of hope, grounded on the grace of our sovereign Lord.” So as I read this last chapter of 2 Chronicles, full of evil kings, the fall of Jerusalem, and exile, I knew I had to keep the bigger picture in mind so as not to miss the message in the ruins.

2 Chron 36:16 But they mocked God’s messengers, despised His words and scoffed at His prophets until the wrath of the LORD was aroused against His people and there was no remedy.

It helps that I know that the books of Chronicles are not the end of the story. We haven’t even gotten to the New Testament yet, to Christ’s birth, life, death, and resurrection. So even as I see the human pigheadedness that leads to death, destruction, and  exile, I know that there is more to the story. I know the hope of Christ.

2 Chron 36:22 In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, in order to fulfill the word of the LORD spoken by Jeremiah, the LORD moved the heart of Cyrus king of Persia to make a proclamation throughout his realm and also put it in writing:

Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for the reminder that the worst thing is not the last thing, that You are loving, merciful, and compassionate, that You are here. Thank You for the reminder to cling to the hope and peace that can only come from You. Draw me closer. Infuse my life with Your hope and peace. Amen.

2 Chron 36:23 “This is what Cyrus king of Persia says: ‘The LORD, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and He has appointed me to build a temple for Him in Jerusalem in Judah. Any of His people among you may go up, and may the LORD their God be with them.’”

Have a blessed day.

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.