Category: 2 Chronicles

2 Chron 7:19-20 “But if you turn away and forsake the decrees and commands I have given you…then I will uproot Israel from My land, which I have given them, and will reject this temple I have consecrated for My Name….”
God was very clear about what would happen if Solomon turned away from His decrees or commands. And yet, in the very next chapter, Solomon begins subtly forsaking decrees and commands. He builds up chariots and horses; he has taken a foreign wife; little disobedient steps that end up taking him in a very bad direction.
2 Chron 8:5-6 He built Upper Beth Horon and Lower Beth Horon as fortified cities….and all the cities for his chariots and for his horses….
But isn’t that how bad decisions go? The first ones are usually pretty easy because they are often so minuscule that we can justify our actions. Every step further in the wrong direction is easier and easier still because, really, what we are doing isn’t that bad, especially compared to every else, right? It’s frightening how quickly we can end up so far away from our Savior.
2 Chron 8:22 Solomon brought Pharaoh’s daughter up from the City of David to the palace he had built for her, for he said, “My wife must not live in the palace of David king of Israel, because the places the ark of the LORD has entered are holy.”
Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for the reminder of just how easily and how quickly we can end up so far away from You. Help us to guard our hearts and our minds. Draw us closer. Amen.
2 Chron 8:15 They did not deviate from the king’s commands to the priests or to the Levites in any matter….
Have a blessed day.

2 Chron 7:17 “As for you, if you walk before Me faithfully as David your father did, and do all I command, and observe My decrees and laws….”
David was far from perfect. He messed up, massively, more than once, but he had a heart for God, a love for God that ran deep, and God recognized that love. God tells Solomon to walk faithfully before Him as David did, not perfectly, but faithfully. It is not an all or nothing proposition.
2 Chron 7:18 “…I will establish your royal throne, as I covenanted with David your father when I said, ‘You shall never fail to have a successor to rule over Israel.’”
It put me in mind of starting a diet or exercise regimen. Often we start out strong but stumble. Many times, for me at least, that stumble can turn into a “Why do I even bother? I am so bad at this. I may as well eat the whole pie while sitting on the couch.” All or nothing. But God seems to indicate it isn’t all or nothing, it’s about being faithful, even when we stumble.
2 Chron 7:19 “But if you turn away and forsake the decrees and commands I have given you and go off to serve other gods and worship them….”
Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for the reminder that loving You isn’t an all or nothing proposition. Help us to walk faithfully before You as David did, even though we aren’t capable of walking perfectly. When we stumble, help us to turn back to You and try again. Draw us closer. Amen.
2 Chron 7:20 “…then I will uproot Israel from My land, which I have given them, and will reject this temple I have consecrated for My Name….”
Have a blessed day.

2 Chron 5:13a The trumpeters and musicians joined in unison to give praise and thanks to the LORD….
What is the purpose of praise? Is it for us or for God? These are the thoughts that went through my head as I read this passage. The music, the singing, the sacrifices, all were in glory and honor to God. And God showed up as a cloud, and filled the temple to the point that “the priests could not perform their service because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled the temple of God” (v14).
2 Chron 5:13b …Accompanied by trumpets, cymbals and other instruments, the singers raised their voices in praise to the LORD and sang: “He is good; His love endures forever.” …
And this imagery of God as a cloud, I find fascinating. I picture fog rolling in, taking an utterly familiar landscape and transforming it to something new and unfamiliar. Fall foliage in fog pops even more brightly. Fog shrouds the bigger picture, narrowing your perspective to what’s directly in front of you, shifting and moving so that your senses are heightened and you are much more diligent and aware. I find it a wonderful analogy.
2 Chron 5:13c … Then the temple of the LORD was filled with the cloud….
Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for showing up as we praise and glorify You. Thank You for the unique perspective that Your presence brings. May we never cease to be awed by and in wonder of You. Amen.
2 Chron 5:14 …and the priests could not perform their service because of the cloud, for the glory of the LORD filled the temple of God.
Have a blessed day.

2 Chron 4:18 All these things that Solomon made amounted to so much that the weight of the bronze could not be calculated. (NIV)
Commentary says about this verse, “There is a tendency in all of us to keep a strict account of what we give to God….” That statement really captured my attention. Am I guilty of keeping an account of what I give God, not just monetarily, but in time, effort, and sacrifice? If so, to what end?
2 Chron 4:18 Solomon made all these articles in such great abundance that the weight of the bronze could not be determined. (BSB)
Sadly, I’ve come to the realization that in many ways, it’s true, though I am still unsure to what end. Do I feel it gives me rights to say, “I’ve done so much for You; can’t You do this one thing for me?” That doesn’t feel authentic, doesn’t feel true to the core of who I think I am. Jesus, Help me.
2 Chron 4:18 There were so many bronze furnishings that no one knew how much bronze it took to make them. (CEV)
Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for an interesting and slightly uncomfortable area for reflection this morning—the spirit of my giving. Help me to keep no accounting of what I give to You. Help me to give—my time, my money, my love and concern, my efforts—out of love, honor, and respect for You. Help me to give to bring You praise and glory, with no other motive. Draw me closer. Amen.
2 Chron 4:18 Solomon made so many of these products that no one tried to determine how much the bronze weighed. (GWT)
Have a blessed day.

2 Chron 2:4a Now I am about to build a temple for the Name of the LORD my God….
My purpose for these daily reflections has always been to draw closer to my Savior, to be intentional about the time I spend with Him, to be intentional about the reading I do in His words, to be intentional about applying His truths to my life. And intentionality is the main thing I see in this passage—intentionality about honoring God. 
2 Chron 2:4b …and to dedicate it to Him for burning fragrant incense before Him….
Much of my life feels incredibly reactive—reacting to schedule changes, to classroom climate, to family issues. My morning prayer and reflection time is one way that I can intentionally make time for my Savior, sit at His feet, soak in His presence, be still and know.
2 Chron 2:4c …for setting out the consecrated bread regularly….
Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for the reminder to be intentional about the time I spend with You. There will always be unexpected things in this life, things I have to react to. Help me to fortify myself for those times through my intentionality with You. Draw me closer. Amen.
2 Chron 2:4d …and for making burnt offerings every morning and evening and on the Sabbaths, at the New Moons and at the appointed festivals of the LORD our God….
Have a blessed day.

2 Chron 1:7 That night God appeared to Solomon and said to him, “Ask for whatever you want Me to give you.”
I have always rather admired Solomon for asking for discernment instead of riches or power. However, because he does not guard his heart, he does not adhere to Gods commands, he ends up drifting away. How could that happen to someone who ask specifically for discernment? I think it is because he ask for discernment in ruling and not discernment of God’s will.
2 Chron 1:8 Solomon answered God, “You have shown great kindness to David my father and have made me king in his place.”
I appreciate understanding the why of things. But I also recognize that there are things that I will never understand on this side of the veil. I would say that I hope that I would ask God to help me stay focused on Him, but a quick look through my reflections shows me that I ask for that with frequency. Lord, Help me follow through.
2 Chron 1:9 “Now, Lord God, let Your promise to my father David be confirmed, for You have made me king over a people who are as numerous as the dust of the earth.”
Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for the reminder that discernment and understanding are no good if it leads me away from You. Help me to keep my eyes, heart, and mind focused on You always. Draw me closer. Amen.
2 Chron 1:10 “Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern this great people of Yours?”
Have a blessed day.