A Work in Progress….

2 Chron 22:3 [Ahaziah] too followed the ways of the house of Ahab, for his mother encouraged him to act wickedly. 

It is easy for me to get bogged down in the evil, death, and destruction of this chapter. When I finished reading both the chapter and commentary on 2 Chron 22, I went back to an overview of 1 & 2 Chronicles, just to remind myself of the point of these books. “One of the main goals of the Chronicler was to reshape the stories of Israel’s past to rekindle hope for the future.”

2 Chron 22:4 He did evil in the eyes of the LORD, as the house of Ahab had done, for after his father’s death they became his advisers, to his undoing.

An evil ruler. An innocent baby, descent of David, a man after God’s own heart. A relative who acts out of love and compassion to save a life. Hope in the midst of evil and chaos. A reminder that God is in control, that He is sovereign, He has a plan. A look at the past to bring hope for the future. Thank You, Jesus.

2 Chron 22:10 When Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she proceeded to destroy the whole royal family of the house of Judah.

Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for Your love, mercy, and sovereignty. Thank You that You are still in control, even when our world feels like it is spinning out of control. Thank You for hope for the future that is rooted in our past history in You. Draw us closer. Help us to focus on You and Your hope. Amen.

2 Chron 22:11 But Jehosheba, the daughter of King Jehoram, took Joash son of Ahaziah and stole him away from among the royal princes who were about to be murdered and put him and his nurse in a bedroom. Because Jehosheba…hid the child from Athaliah…she could not kill him.

Have a blessed day.

2 Chron 21:20 Jehoram was thirty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem eight years. He passed away, to no one’s regret, and was buried in the City of David, but not in the tombs of the kings.

How incredibly sad are the words, “He passed away, to no one’s regret.” They seem to be the polar opposite of, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Does it make me too compassionate to think that no one should die this way?

2 Chron 21:4 When Jehoram established himself firmly over his father’s kingdom, he put all his brothers to the sword, along with some of the officials of Israel.

These words leave me with so many questions: Did his wife not regret his passing? Commentary indicates that many of his vile deeds were at her prompting. Did his father-in-law, King of Israel, whose actions he seemed to emulate, not regret his passing? Was there ever a time when Jehoram contemplated turning back to God? After his wife and children were taken? After he was inflicted with an incurable disease of the bowels? What was going through his head? Did he realize he could turn back, just as he turned away?

2 Chron 21:6 He followed the ways of the kings of Israel, as the house of Ahab had done, for he married a daughter of Ahab. He did evil in the eyes of the LORD.

Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for the reminder that we are to show Your love and compassion to all. Help me live a life that is pleasing to You. Help me to understand that when I follow a path that takes me from Your will and Your love, all I need to do is turn around and head straight back to You. Draw me closer. Amen.

2 Chron 21:7 Nevertheless, because of the covenant the LORD had made with David, the LORD was not willing to destroy the house of David. He had promised to maintain a lamp for him and his descendants forever.

Have a blessed day.

2 Chron 20:12 “Our God, will You not judge them? For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on You.”

There is something that truly touches me about today’s verses. Perhaps it is the fact that I have been in this same situation many times, feeling beleaguered, feeling hopeless, totally unsure of how to proceed, crying out to God, “I don’t know what to do, but my eyes are on You. Jesus, Help me.”

2 Chron 20:15 “…This is what the LORD says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s.”

God is faithful and true, steadfast in times of trouble. His response is essentially, “I’ve got you. This isn’t your battle. I’m holding you securely in the palm of My hand. Do not be afraid or discouraged.” Thank You, Jesus.

2 Chron 20:29 The fear of God came on all the surrounding kingdoms when they heard how the LORD had fought against the enemies of Israel.

Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for the reminder that we need to look to You always—in times of trouble, in times of joy, always. Thank You for holding us securely, for fighting our battles, for being an ever present help in times of trouble. Draw us closer. Amen.

2 Chron 20:30 And the kingdom of Jehoshaphat was at peace, for his God had given him rest on every side.

Have a blessed day.

2 Chron 19:4 Jehoshaphat lived in Jerusalem, and he went out again among the people from Beersheba to the hill country of Ephraim and turned them back to the LORD, God of their ancestors.

I am a representative of God’s kingdom. When someone who doesn’t know God sees me, that person is going to make assumptions about God’s love, grace, and mercy, about God’s people, based on me and my actions and words. That idea is at once lovely and utterly terrifying.

2 Chron 19:5 He appointed judges in the land, in each of the fortified cities of Judah.

It has been a long semester. Nothing is as it “should be.” Tempers are short. Patience is shorter. Stress and anxiety are through the roof. Yet I am still a representative of God and His kingdom, which means that the idea of abounding grace has to go past the idea stage and become reality. Jesus, Help me!

2 Chron 19:6 He told them, “Consider carefully what you do, because you are not judging mere mortals but for the LORD, who is with you whenever you give a verdict.”

Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for the reminder that even during a pandemic I am a representative of Your kingdom and must live as such in this world. Help me to find a way to balance my own stress, anxiety, and frustration while still shining Your light for all to see. Draw me closer. Amen.

2 Chron 19:7 “…Judge carefully, for with the LORD our God there is no injustice or impartiality or bribery.”

Have a blessed day.

2 Chron 18:6 But Jehoshaphat asked, “Is there no longer a prophet of the LORD here whom we can inquire of?”

We have discussed in Sunday School more than once that we can say to God, “Thy will be done” or God will say to us, “Thy will be done.” This chapter in 2 Chronicles shows this age old scenario. Ahab wants to go to war. Micaiah speaks God’s truth, “Go to war and die.” Ahab doesn’t like Micaiah because “…he never prophesies anything good about me.” God’s message has been faithfully delivered, and Ahab chooses to do what he wants, his will instead of God’s.

2 Chron 18:7 The king of Israel answered Jehoshaphat, “There is still one prophet through whom we can inquire of the LORD, but I hate him because he never prophesies anything good about me, but always bad….“

I’ve said before that it is so easy for me to “armchair quarterback.” Ahab should have listened, but he did what he wanted instead. I’m just as guilty at times of choosing my will over God’s. Jesus, Help me!

2 Chron 18:13 …Micaiah said, “As surely as the LORD lives, I can tell him only what my God says.”

Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for the reminder that You guide us when we earnestly seek You and listen. Help me, even when I am being obstinate, to seek Your will and to listen to Your guidance. Draw me closer. Amen.

2 Chron 18:27 Micaiah declared, “If you ever return safely, the LORD has not spoken through me.” Then he added, “Mark my words, all you people!”

Have a blessed day.

2 Chron 17:3 The LORD was with Jehoshaphat because he followed the ways of his father David before him….
Asa did not finish well, but Jehoshaphat wasn’t doomed to follow in his footsteps, and he didn’t. He was more like David, imperfect, fallible David, who, despite his flaws and mistakes, had such a heart for God.
2 Chron 17:5 The LORD established the kingdom under his control; and all Judah brought gifts to Jehoshaphat, so that he had great wealth and honor.
I’m sometimes guilty of having a fatalistic attitude. I sometimes think, “I’ve messed this up so badly there is no going back from here. There is no making this right.” But God. He can make all things new. He loves us so deeply that there is never anything we can do to make Him walk away. And He is right there with us, waiting for us to call His name to reach out to Him. It is truly mind-boggling. 
2 Chron 17:6 His heart was devoted to the ways of the LORD; furthermore, he removed the high places and the Asherah poles from Judah.
Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for Your love, mercy, and grace, for new beginnings and second chances. Help us to seek Your face always, Lord, and when we find we’ve strayed from Your path, help us to find our footing and reconnect immediately. Draw us closer. Amen.
2 Chron 17:10 The fear of the LORD fell on all the kingdoms of the lands surrounding Judah, so that they did not go to war against Jehoshaphat.
Have a blessed day.

2 Chron 16:7 At that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah and said to him: “Because you relied on the king of Aram and not on the LORD your God, the army of the king of Aram has escaped from your hand.”
Commentary says, “All in all, Asa was a good man who did not finish well.” I cannot think of a sadder epitaph. And when the seer points out Asa’s missteps, instead of humbling himself (which is incredibly difficult), he hardens his heart and gives himself over to anger. He did not finish well.
2 Chron 16:9a “For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him….”
I know that I am guilty of similar actions. I know that there are times when I give in to fear and seek human allies instead of my Savior. I know how hard it can be in the face of my own folly to humble myself instead of giving in to anger. I know I have work to do so that I can finish well.
2 Chron 16:9b “…You have done a foolish thing, and from now on you will be at war.”
Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for the reminder that I must always keep my eyes, mind, and heart on You so that I can finish well in Your sight. Lord, I am human and fallible, prone to fear and missteps, but I love You more than anything. Help me always to focus on You so that I can finish well. Draw me closer. Amen.
2 Chron 16:10 Asa was angry at the seer because of this; he was so enraged that he put him in prison. At the same time Asa brutally oppressed some of the people.
Have a blessed day.

2 Chron 15:2b … The LORD is with you when you are with Him….
Lord, You want a relationship with each of us. Thank You for the incredible gift that is. However, You would never force us into relationship. Our ability to see You is directly related to how earnestly we seek You. You don’t hide, but You also don’t force. Thank You.
2 Chron 15:2c …If you seek Him, He will be found by you….
Lord, This is a tough time for so many, tougher even than normal years because so many things are different, there is so much stress and anxiety, so much division, but You are still the answer. Help us to seek You even more earnestly. Help us to see You, Your love, Your mercy, Your compassion, everywhere we turn.
2 Chron 15:2d …but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you.
Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for the reminder that true, lasting, eternal joy can only come from You. Thank You that Your joy is not a the toxic positivity that has gained so much press of late. Your joy is what we need. Thank You for Your fierce, unconditional, all-encompassing love of us. Draw us closer. Amen.
2 Chron 15:15 … They sought God eagerly, and He was found by them. So the LORD gave them rest on every side.
Have a blessed day.

2 Chron 14:2 Asa did what was right in the eyes of the LORD his God.
Lord, I’m feeling rather sorry for myself this morning. Thank You for allowing me to recognize the feeling. Thank You for the strength to keep dragging my mind and heart back to You. Thank You that I’m just exhausted from a long week. Nothing more.
2 Chron 14:4 He commanded Judah to seek the LORD, the God of their ancestors, and to obey His laws and commands.
Lord, I know that true rest can only come from You. Thank You for the knowledge. Thank You for allowing me rest and shelter in Your arms. Thank You for allowing me to rest at Your feet. 
2 Chron 14:6 …No one was at war with him during those years, for the LORD gave him rest.
Lord, Thank You for this day and for this scripture. It is far too easy, especially at the end of a week, for me to get maudlin and moody. But to give in to those feelings would mean that I have taken my eyes off of You and allowed myself to become the center of my world. Help me to keep refocusing my mind and heart on You. Renew my spirit. Draw me closer. Amen.
2 Chron 14:11 Then Asa called to the LORD his God and said, “LORD, there is no one like you to help the powerless against the mighty. Help us, LORD our God, for we rely on You…”
Have a blessed day.

2 Chron 13:12 “God is with us; He is our leader. His priests with their trumpets will sound the battle cry against you. People of Israel, do not fight against the LORD, the God of your ancestors, for you will not succeed.”
Abijah did not have a heart like David. Commentary even says about this chapter that “though here he … maintained the better cause, yet [he] was indeed an ungodly man.” And yet, God heard him and helped him. 
2 Chron 13:13-14 Now Jeroboam had sent troops around to the rear, so that while he was in front of Judah the ambush was behind them. Judah turned and saw that they were being attacked at both front and rear. Then they cried out to the LORD….
This walk through the Bible has been an incredible gift for my faith. Somehow I got it in my head that I had to be perfect, which is impossible, but what I have seen again and again and again is that God wants me to put Him first. He wants me to set my heart on Him. He wants me to be obedient when He calls. 
2 Chron 13:15 …At the sound of their battle cry, God routed Jeroboam and all of Israel before Abijah and Judah.
Lord, Thank You for this day and this reminder that we are human, not perfect. Thank You for the reminder that You want us to have a heart focused solely on You. Thank You that my daily reading, prayer, and study time continues to draw me closer to You daily. Thank You, Lord. Amen.
2 Chron 13:16 The Israelites fled before Judah, and God delivered them into their hands.
Have a blessed day.