A Work in Progress….

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.

2 Chron 25:1-2 Amaziah was twenty-five years old when he became king….He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, but not wholeheartedly.

What sticks out to me most in today’s reading is that Amaziah did not serve the Lord wholeheartedly. I know beyond a doubt that the Lord is calling me to task, showing me pointedly what I need to surrender to Him right now. 

2 Chron 25:14 When Amaziah returned from slaughtering the Edomites, he brought back the gods of the people of Seir. He set them up as his own gods, bowed down to them and burned sacrifices to them.

I am a teacher, an increasingly angry, frustrated, and fearful teacher. I do not want to get sick. I do not want my family, my friends, my colleagues, or my students to get sick. I am frustrated by attitudes. I’m frustrated by what feels like a lack of concern for the health and safety of all. I am frustrated by the fact that the mental health of the people dealing with this global pandemic seems to be taking a backseat to testing and as close to “business as usual” as can be managed. My anger, my fear, my frustration at the utter impotence of my position, is separating me from my Savior. Just like Amaziah, I am not serving God wholeheartedly. Jesus, Help me!

2 Chron 25:15 The anger of the LORD burned against Amaziah, and he sent a prophet to him, who said, “Why do you consult this people’s gods, which could not save their own people from your hand?”

Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for calling me to task on these issues that are separating me from You. Help me to understand what to do with these feelings and emotions so that I can do what’s right, protect myself and those I love, stand up for those without a voice, while still serving You wholeheartedly. I do not want my anger, fear, and frustration to separate me from You, yet I know that it is. Jesus, Help me. Show me how to move forward in You. Amen.

2 Chron 25:16 While he was still speaking, the king said to him, “Have we appointed you an adviser to the king? Stop! Why be struck down?” ….

Have a blessed day.

2 Chron 24:2 Joash did what was right in the eyes of the LORD all the years of Jehoiada the priest.

Commentary says of his behavior, “All that Joash had done was to give his heart to Jehoiada, not to Jehovah.” Joash gave his heart to the gift first instead of to the Giver. So when Jehoiada died, Joash was, in a sense, adrift. And the officials of Judah took full advantage of the situation.

2 Chron 24:17 After the death of Jehoiada, the officials of Judah came and paid homage to the king, and he listened to them.

As a child, I often wondered how I was supposed to love God, the Giver, more than my parents, His gift. My parents were real and tangible to me in a way God wasn’t. As an adult, I have an easier time recognizing that God is the Giver, that all of the amazing people He has placed in my life are His gift to me, but I still struggle at times with gift and Giver and which to place first. Jesus, Help me.

2 Chron 24:18 They abandoned the temple of the LORD, the God of their ancestors, and worshiped Asherah poles and idols. Because of their guilt, God’s anger came on Judah and Jerusalem.

Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for the reminder that You are the Giver of all the gifts in my life. Help me to place You first. Always. Help me also to treasure the amazing people, such beautiful gifts, that You have given me but to never forget that You are the source of all gifts. Draw me closer. Amen.

2 Chron 24:22 King Joash did not remember the kindness Zechariah’s father Jehoiada had shown him but killed his son, who said as he lay dying, “May the LORD see this and call you to account.”

Have a blessed day.

2 Chron 23:11 Jehoiada and his sons brought out the king’s son and put the crown on him; they presented him with a copy of the covenant and proclaimed him king. They anointed him and shouted, “Long live the king!”

Six years. That’s a long time. That’s how long it was between the time Athaliah seized power until Joash was placed on the throne. Six. Long. Years. 2,190 days under the oppressive, evil rule of Athaliah.

2 Chron 23:12 When Athaliah heard the noise of the people running and cheering the king, she went to them at the temple of the LORD.

It is hard to hold on to hope in difficult circumstances. Even 30 days of a difficult situation, even three days of a difficult situation, can test the resolve of the strongest of us. But, even though things looked hopeless, God was still on His throne. He was still working in ways that most could not see or fathom. He still is. No matter how bleak the circumstances. He’s still in control. Not only that, I truly believe He is even closer to us in our darkest situations because He knows we need Him even more.

2 Chron 23:13a She looked, and there was the king, standing by his pillar at the entrance. The officers and the trumpeters were beside the king, and all the people of the land were rejoicing and blowing trumpets, and musicians with their instruments were leading the praises.

Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for the hope that can only come from You. When we are trudging through miles of darkness, it is so hard to focus on hope. Help us to see the light of Your hope even more clearly in our darkest hour—not the emptiness of toxic positivity, but the joy of true hope that can only come from You. Draw us closer. Amen.

2 Chron 23:13b Then Athaliah tore her robes and shouted, “Treason! Treason!”

Have a blessed day.