ARCC Sermons

Join our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/2183117951984132/?source_id=181918175166472

July 8th

The bible reading today is in 2 Kings 15 and 2 Chronicles 26.

In these mirror chapters today, the text is filled with the evil of 5 kings of Israel, including murders, assassinations, and rampant idolatry from the throneroom throughout the 10 tribes.

Over and over the following phrase is found in the text describing these 5 kings...” he did not depart from the sins of Jereboam.”

So what were the sins of Jereboam? He had two golden calves made. Set one in Bethel and the other in Dan. Then he ordered the worship of those idols throughout Israel.

The 5 Israeli kings in our text today continued to order the people to worship the golden calves as their God. Wow...kings not only guilty of idol worship themselves but leading their people to do the same. That’s evil indeed.

One more time our texts in Kings and Chronicles boldly show what Samuel prophesied about Israel wanting a king over them like other nations. They traded God’s righteous rule for men’s sinful selfish and satanic rule. And it would not end well for them.

Before I wrap up this podcast there are a couple of lessons to be learned in the 16-year reign of young Jotham in Judah. “In the second year of Pekah the son of Remaliah, king of Israel, Jotham the son of Uzziah, king of Judah, began to reign. He was twenty-five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Jerusha the daughter of Zadok. “And he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord”, according to all that his father Uzziah had done. Nevertheless, the high places were not removed. The people still sacrificed and made offerings on the high places. He built the upper gate of the house of the Lord.”

‭‭2 Kings‬ ‭15:32-35‬ ‭

The record says that Jotham built the “Upper Gate” of the House of the Lord. The Upper Gate was a direct passage between the Temple and the King’s Palace. It was to be a visual aid to remind visitors to Jerusalem that there was a clear and unfettered connection between Judah’s earthly king and their heavenly King. The power in the palace came not from the skills of Jotham, but rather from the magnificent glory of God.

One more thing on this...The Upper Gate passageway could also have been a visual aid for Jotham himself. You see his father, Uzziah, disobeyed God’s word concerning his relationship with the House built for God’s name the Temple and leadership in corporate worship.

Uzziah began thinking way too highly of himself and his kingship. So one day he entered the holy place intent on offering a gift of incense upon the altar of incense, something that only the priest was allowed to do after the morning and evening sacrifice for atonement. Uzziah was usurping God’s laws.

O How many times have I traded places with the world to do what I wanted to do instead of what I knew God wanted for me. God forgive me.

Uzziah’s sin was not just the fact that he intended to usurp the place of the High Priest but he also intended to offer incense without the corresponding sacrifices. Sacrifices that would speak of his humble gratefulness to God for his own atonement for sin. Uzziah was not worshipping the Lord. He was worshipping himself.

So perhaps Jotham built the passage Gateway from the Palace to the Temple to always remind him of his humble dependency upon God and His grace for his life and his life’s work for the glory of God and not his.

Be sure to look for the “nevertheless” passage in Jotham’s biography. And remember, we all have one. And we thank Jesus for atoning for our “nevertheless” stuff too.

Have a great day

Join our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/2183117951984132/?source_id=181918175166472

July 7th

Our bible reading today is another one of my favorites. The 4 chapters of Jonah.

Shortly after I was saved at age 19, I fell in love with the Bible. “When my teammates in college would ask me what I found “so interesting” in my Bible reading, I would say, “Why, these are devine words just for me, from the One who saved me from my sins. Why wouldnt I want to hear what he has to say?

Invariably, someone would say, “You dont really believe that a guy was swallowed up by a whale and three days later was regurgitated upon the land alive, do you?” And I would say, “Since my Jesus believed it, so do I.”

“But Jesus answered the Pharisees, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭12:39-40‬ ‭

In four short chapters we learn so much about God, His grace, His mercy, His miracles, and His powerful, sovereign, redemptive dealings with man and nature.

Now just a few tidbits to wet your appetite for the reading of God’s Word.

““Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it, for their evil has come up before me.””

‭‭Jonah‬ ‭1:2‬ ‭

Jonah was commissioned by God. What an honor that was. God entrusted gospel preaching to Jonah. God chose Jonah to go beyond his borders, beyond his comfort zone to share the good news of salvation in Elohim.

Jonah was commissioned by God to call the Ninevites of Assyria to repentance and faith in the Lord. Wow... again...what an honor. It was always God’s will for His people of faith to go to “the nations” as His witnesses.

But somewhere along the way, the people of promise lost that vision. Even to the point of believing that they were the only ones for God’s favor and grace. That will become obvious in Jonah by the end of chapter four.

God commissioned Jonah to go to Nineveh. Remember, Jonah was God’s prophet in Israel during Jereboam’s reign...during the early days of the divided kingdom. He was well known and trusted too. This huge commissioning would not have been questioned by anyone.

“Except...Jonah questioned it.” So much so, that he tried to run from God’s presence halfway around the world to what would be Europe today.

Question...Was Jonah afraid? Is that why he dismissed God’s command after all these years?

I dont think so. Like Jesus, he slept in a boat while all others around him were panicking in fear of the great winds and waves that were threatening their safety in the ocean. Jonah slept while the crew was throwing the cargo, their financial security, overboard trying to steady the ship and keep it afloat.

No, he wasnt afraid. He knew the Lord of the storm...the Lord of the land and the sea.

Question...Why did he run?

Well, that’s the rest of the story. But we will ask another question. Did Jonah really believe that he could run from the presence of the Lord?

Let’s listen... Ps. 139...”Lord, You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it. Where shall I go from your Spirit? “Or where shall I flee from your presence”? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me.”

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭139:5-10‬ ‭

Years before Jonah, the young shepherd David knew that he couldnt out run God’s presence. So surely the old prophet Jonah knew that too. But like all people of faith, there can be assignments from God that the best of us reluctantly and hesitatingly accept.

One more question...Do we find a shadow of the redeemer Jesus in Jonah?

I believe so. Jonah told the captain to throw him into the raging sea. And that when they did that, the sea would calm down and their lives would be saved.

Jonah gave his life to the raging sea to save others. A picture of Jesus giving himself to the raging demons at the cross to me and you who believe Him.

Enjoy the reading

Have a great day.

Join our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/2183117951984132/?source_id=181918175166472

July 6th

The bible reading today is in 2 Kings 14 and 2 Chronicles 25. Why is the record of all the kings of Israel and Judah included in the Bible?

Into the text...“Amaziah was twenty-five years old when he began to reign in Judah, and he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Jehoaddan of Jerusalem. ( And his father was the determined reformer, Joash.) And Amaziah did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, “yet not with a whole heart.”

‭‭2 Chronicles‬ ‭25:1-2‬ ‭

Amaziah, like his father, did some good things for Judah. His exemplary way of bringing his father’s murderers to justice told his critics as well as his supporters that he was not out for vengeance, only a righteous judgment according to the laws of God.

Upon reading this account, we will see that Amaziah wanted to be an “impressive” king. Including impressing God with his works and victories. Something just wasn't quite right. We read where early on in his reign as Judah’s king that Amaziah was not afraid to fight for the benefit of his kingdom. He was far from being a coward and always looked for ways to protect and strengthen his kingdom’s territory and people.

That’s certainly noteworthy. Until...we read how his leadership taught Judah that there were other gods besides the One God, Elohim. What did Jesus claim...”I am the way, the truth, and the life...no man comes to the Father but by me.” One God...Same God...Old and New Testaments. And Amaziah missed Him.

It was common in those days to hire mercenaries from other lands to beef up one’s army. It was at this point, among many others, that Amaziah veered off his course. Yes, it probably made sense militarily. But he was way off spiritually. He forgot, if he ever really knew, that God was powerful to help and overthrow mighty foes. Once again a king relied on foreign aid instead of God first and foremost.

God sent a prophet to warn Amaziah about the cost of disobeying Him in the present situation. “Amaziah asked, “What about all the gold that I have spent on these 100,000 mercenaries?”

The prophet said, “The Lord is able to give you much more than this.” In other words...”Whatever obedience costs, ultimately it is always cheaper than disobedience.”

Amaziah did two things that at first seem to be exemplary. “He strengthened himself”...not like David, and he “obeyed the prophet”...until he didn't.

This would be as close as he would get to the way of King David that we read about in 1 Sam. 30. Where we read that in a difficult time David encouraged himself “in the Lord”.

The difference? Amaziah just “strengthened himself”. One more illustration of this king’s self-reliance! And we have to read on...God showed mercy upon Amaziah and Judah. God gave the self-centered king a victory over the larger army of Edom.

But Was Amaziah grateful to God for the victory? No, he arrogantly took credit for it and brought the Edomites ‘ idols back to his palace in Jerusalem where he began to worship them instead of Yahweh. Where did this spiritual back and forth come from in Amaziah’s life? This leading Judah to worship God one day and then leading them to worship other gods the next? Where did that come from?

In short, Amaziah’s heart was never right with God. He did some good things and God saw them. But something was wrong with his heart. He needed a new heart. His heart was not loyal to God, but only to himself.

Amaziah needed what every man and woman in the divided kingdom needed...something that only God could give them. A new heart...one that trusted God...obeyed God...and that desired to do life with God...loving God with all of his soul.

Thoughts? Why are we reading about the lives of all the kings in Israel and Judah...since one after another fell way short of being THE king of Israel. Why read of them?

Because their failures would prove time after time that there was only one King that is worthy of fellowship and adoration. The Messiah, the King of Kings, Jesus our Lord.

Have a great day

Join our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/2183117951984132/?source_id=181918175166472

July 5th

The bible reading today is in 2 Kings 12 & 13 and 2 Chronicles 24.

“His servants arose and made a conspiracy and struck down Judah’s King Joash in the house of Millo, on the way that goes down to Silla. It was Jozacar the son of Shimeath and Jehozabad the son of Shomer, his servants, who struck him down so that he died. And they buried him with his fathers in the city of David, and Amaziah his son reigned in his place.”

‭‭2 Kings‬ ‭12:20-21‬ ‭ESV‬

King Joash reigned in Jerusalem for over forty years. Then he was betrayed and assassinated by two of his servants. We will come back to this terrible end of a king’s life and influence. But now let’s look at how he began his reign in Judah.

“And Joash did what was right in the eyes of the Lord all the days of Jehoiada the priest.”

‭‭2 Chronicles‬ ‭24:2‬ ‭

“...because Jehoiada the priest instructed him.”

‭‭2 Kings‬ ‭12:2‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Joash was 7 yrs old when he became king. We can say that Jehoiada discipled him in the word and ways of God for at least 30 of his 40-year reign.

“After his marriage, Joash decided to “restore” the house of the Lord. And he gathered the priests and the Levites and said to them, “Go out to the cities of Judah and gather from all Israel money to repair the house of your God from year to year, and see that you act quickly.”

But the Levites did not act quickly.”

‭‭2 Chronicles‬ ‭24:4-5‬ ‭ESV‬

Joash was probably twenty when he married. He would have two children. His desire was to restore the dilapidated Temple in Jerusalem. But sadly, the Levites stole restoration money for 23 years. No one knew for the longest. So no wonder God was not blessing the project.

Before he died, Jehoiada, the High Priest replaced the unfaithful priests with responsible ones. And the restoration continued until completion.

“So those who were engaged in the work labored, and the repairing went forward in their hands, and they restored the house of God to its proper condition and strengthened it.”

‭‭2 Chronicles‬ ‭24:13‬ ‭ESV‬‬

“But Jehoiada grew old and full of days and died. He was 130 years old at his death. And they buried him in the city of David among the kings, because he had done good in Israel and toward God and his house.”

‭‭2 Chronicles‬ ‭24:15-16‬ ‭

Jehoiada and the young King would be known to this day for that good work...not to their glory, but God’s. And then the wheels came off. The Bible says that Joash walked with God all the days of his spiritual instructor. But after Jehoiada died...

“Now after the death of Jehoiada, the princes of Judah came and paid homage to the king. Then the king listened to them. And they abandoned the house of the Lord, the God of their fathers, and served the Asherim and the idols. And wrath came upon Judah and Jerusalem for this guilt of theirs. Yet he sent prophets among them to bring them back to the Lord. These testified against them, but they would not pay attention.”

‭‭2 Chronicles‬ ‭24:17-19‬ ‭

Joash stopped trusting God for what he needed. He relied upon the counsel of wayward friends, friends who influenced their king to worship the idols of foreign gods.

Nowhere in scripture is it recorded that Joash ever repented and came back to the Lord. All we know is that before Joash was murdered, he had his mentor’s son murdered because he didn't like the message that God spoke through him. Thus a life full of promise and great expectation, in the beginning, ended in ruin.

My thoughts? The same one coined by a preacher, John Bradford, in 1550. He was witnessing the death by hanging of a habitual sinner in his town...when he said, “Except by the grace of God, go I.”

“Oh Lord help me to finish strong with You...neither turning to the right nor left...but always abounding in the work of the Lord.”

Have a great day

Join our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/2183117951984132/?source_id=181918175166472

July 4th

Our bible reading today is in 2 Kings chapters 9,10,11.

“Now when Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she arose and murdered all the royal family.”

‭‭2 Kings‬ ‭11:1‬ ‭

“And as soon as the letter came to them, they took the king’s sons and slaughtered them, seventy persons, and put their heads in baskets and sent them to Jehu at Jezreel.”

‭‭2 Kings‬ ‭10:7‬ ‭

“And Jehu drew his bow with his full strength, and shot King Joram between the shoulders so that the arrow pierced his heart, and he sank in his chariot.”

‭‭2 Kings‬ ‭9:24‬ ‭

She “Murdered” the royal family. They “Slaughtered” 70 sons and beheaded them and sent them for an offering. And, he personally “Assassinated” the king of Israel and the king of Judah on the same day.

All of these grizzly deaths were prophesied many years before they were carried out. Did God know about them? Yes! Did God allow them? He did more than that. God ordained them. They were God’s judgment upon sin. God’s judgment upon the “unbelieving”. God’s judgment upon the “pretenders” in the divided kingdom of Israel and Judah.

We relish the Bible stories of God’s tender mercies and sufficient grace upon His own people of faith. We enjoy the passages in the Bible that show God’s goodness to His creation. But then we read passages like Jeremiah 1:10. “See, I (God) have set you (Jeremiah) this day over nations and over kingdoms, to pluck up and to break down, to destroy and to overthrow...‭‭And we pause to think and even question.

“Did God ordain the “uprooting” of families in Judah? Yes. Did God ordain the breaking of hearts in Judah? Yes. Did God ordain the destruction of cities in Judah? Yes. Did God ordain the overthrowing of kings in God’s promised land? The answer is Yes.

Yes, God’s holy, righteous, loving purposes were and are always perfectly accomplished in His judgments upon earth, especially for the sake of the gospel and the salvation of His children of faith.

Let’s read one more biblical illustration of God’s involvement in the judgment upon men...

“And God said to Ezekiel, “I will strengthen the arms of the king of Babylon and put my sword in his hand, but I will break the arms of Pharaoh, and he will groan before him like a man mortally wounded. I will strengthen the arms of the king of Babylon, but the arms of Pharaoh shall fall. “Then they shall know that I am the Lord”, when I put my sword into the hand of the king of Babylon and he stretches it out against the land of Egypt.”

‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭30:24-25‬ ‭

Did you hear it? God judged Egypt by “His” sword put into the hands of Babylon. God started and finished a war between two pagan nations. And why would He do that? He would do that to reveal Himself to the nations, including Israel and Judah, including those of us who are apart of His Kingdom today in and through Jesus Christ.

Enjoy the story.

Have a great day

Join our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/2183117951984132/?source_id=181918175166472

July 3rd

Good day, Henry. Thank you for joining me and others on our Bible in a Year reading journey. We are halfway through. Greet your mom and dad for me. May the Lord continue to speak to our hearts from his Word.

Think about it, we are actually meeting with the God of our salvation when we open the book of books, the Bible. Kind of wonderful isn't it?

Our Bible reading today is in 2 Kings 5-8.

The podcast will focus on two events in the life and ministry of the young prophet Elisha, probably in his late twenties, early thirties.

“Now the sons of the prophets said to Elisha, “See, the place where we dwell under your charge is too small for us. Let us go to the Jordan and each of us get there a log, and let us make a place for us to dwell there.” And he answered, “Go.”

Elisha took over the leadership of the school of the prophets from Elijah. In just a few short years, the number of students sensing God’s call to preach increased a great deal in Israel, even in the days of wicked kings.

O how the spiritual influence of Elisha was spreading. God was using the young man to inspire others to seek the Lord. The students appealed to their young teacher for approval in building a larger place for them to live and to study and learn about God and His calling upon their lives. Elisha said, “Yes...Go for it.”

“Then one of them said, “Be pleased to go with your servants.” And Elisha answered, “I will go.” So he went with them. And when they came to the Jordan, they cut down trees.”

Did you notice the relationship between the prophet and his students? Respect and no fear. The young students knew who their leader was. And there was an openness to ask questions and to make suggestions and to work together.

“But as one was felling a log, his ax head fell into the water, and he cried out, “Alas, my master! It was borrowed.” Then the man of God said, “Where did it fall?” When he showed him the place, he cut off a stick and threw it in there and made the iron float. And he said, “Take it up.” So he reached out his hand and took it.”

‭‭2 Kings‬ ‭6:1-7‬ ‭ESV‬‬

One more time God demonstrated His presence and power through Elisha. Elisha didn't make the ax head swim, God did. Did God need Elisha’s stick? Did God need a student to retrieve the floating ax head? The point is not what God “needed”, it’s what God “used” to get the job done. Resources like people...people willing to believe God and work with Him.

And now one more of my “favorite God things” done on behalf of those who believe Him.

“So the king of Syria sent to Dothan (where Elisha was) horses and chariots and a great army, and they came by night and surrounded the city.”

Elisha had become a nuisance to the foreign king. Elisha was giving the king of Israel detailed information on Syria’s plans to attack Samaria. Hence the surprise was all Syria and their raids were intercepted and squashed at great cost to Syria. So the Syrian king sent his great army to take and or kill Elisha.

“When the servant of the man of God rose early in the morning and went out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was all around the city. And the servant said, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?”

Elisha said, “Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”

“Then Elisha prayed and said, “O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see.”

“So the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and “he saw”,

“and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.”

‭‭2 Kings‬ ‭6:14-17‬ ‭ESV‬‬

God was there, all around them, all the time, even when the young student prophet could not see them. Reminds me of the verse in Hebrews....”I will never leave you nor forsake you, God said.”

There have been many times in my Christian life where I have felt just like Elisha’s servant. Afraid and alone and without the answers for the present and the future. And the Holy Spirit would bring to my mind this experience with God, and in my mind’s eye, I too see the powerful protector and director of my life. Both for now and forever...Jesus and His Angel Army...surrounding me...and mine...for all those who are called by His name.

Have a great day Henry, and to all of our family and friends on this adventure with us.

Join our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/2183117951984132/?source_id=181918175166472

July 2nd

The Bible reading today is in 2 Kings 1-4...God using Elijah (at the end of his ministry in Israel)

and Elisha (at the beginning of his) for His glory!

The king of Israel, Ahaziah, was on his sickbed in Samaria. He had fallen from the second-floor balcony onto the ground below. He was worried. So he sent for the Philistine seer, Baal Zebub...used in the New Testament for Satan.

Elijah intercepted the king’s entourage. He gave the king’s representatives a message from the God of Israel. “‘Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are going to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron? Now therefore thus says the Lord, You shall not come down from the bed to which you have gone up, but you shall surely die.’”

‭‭2 Kings‬ ‭1:3-4

So the king’s entourage turned around and delivered Elijah’s message to Ahaziah. The king did not like the message. Perhaps that was the reason for not sending for Elijah in the first place. So Ahaziah sent a commander and 50 soldiers to bring Elijah to the palace in Samaria.

And what happened? Well...something about a message from heaven. A firey one...twice.

Then God told Elijah that he was going to heaven soon. A Chariot and horses of fire were mentioned, along with a whirlwind. Over the next weeks and months, Elijah and his disciple, Elisha, were on God’s assignments together. There were some other God followers hanging around, but they dropped off. Only Elisha stayed next to the old prophet.

Let’s listen...“Elijah said to him, “Elisha, please stay here, for the Lord has sent me to Jericho.” But Elisha said, “As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So they came to Jericho.

Then Elijah said to him, “Please stay here, for the Lord has sent me to the Jordan.” But he said, “As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So the two of them went on.”

‭‭2 Kings‬ ‭2:4, 6‬

Earlier in 1 Kings, God told Elijah to mentor his replacement, and Elisha was invited to follow Elijah. Here, Elisha’s determination to follow Elijah all the way to his trip to heaven, proved his “God calling” to take Elijah’s place as the dominate prophet in Israel.

And guess what? Elisha witnessed Elijah’s going up to heaven, not in a still small voice, but in a whirlwind. While the firey chariot with its firey horses presented Elisha with a visual aid that God’s power on Elijah would now be upon the young prophet too.

And then God used the new prophet in some amazing ways.

And that’s the rest of the story. Do enjoy it. It all points to “The” Savior...Jesus our Lord.

Have a good day

Join our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/2183117951984132/?source_id=181918175166472

July 1st

The bible reading today is in Obadiah 1 and Psalm 82,83.

The prophet Obadiah had a vision from God about God’s judgment upon the Edomites the sons of Esau, who acted in opposition to God’s chosen, who terrorized Israel during their 40 years of wilderness wandering, and who joined forces with the likes of the Moabites and Ammonites to attack Judah during the times of the divided kingdom of Israel.

This shortest book in the Old Testament was a message of judgment “entirely” pointed at a foreign country. All of the other prophets of God, except for Obadiah, Nahum, and Habbakuk, directed their messages primarily to Israel or Judah.

Obadiah’s message is direct and plain. Anyone who touches God’s people of faith will be judged without mercy. Obadiah accused Edom of a pride and arrogance that went way beyond the measure found in other opponents of Israel. A prime illustration of Solomon’s wise declaration from God...“Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭16:18‬ ‭

And what a fall Edom took ”completely wiped off” the face of the earth. Also, in today’s reading in the Psalms, we hear a “praise and worship” leader “preach”. Yes, preach a sermon to Judah on how to appeal to God for justice upon their behalf...“O God, Let them be put to shame and dismayed forever;” Let them, whose pride went about crushing others, let them be crushed and shamed so that they can never raise their faces from the ground.

“Let them perish in disgrace,” That is...Let them experience the humiliation of disgrace that they placed upon others so much so that they will want to die. “That they may know that “you alone”, whose name is the Lord, “You” are the Most High over “all” the earth.”

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭83:17-18‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Sounds like verses that Jonathan Edwards preached from during America’s Great Awakening of the 18th century. Especially his famous sermon on July 8, 1741, at Congegational Church of Enfield, Conn. “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God.”

“Vengeance is mine, and recompense, for the time when their foot shall slip; for the day of their calamity is at hand, and their doom comes swiftly.’

Deut. 32:35

Obadiah was declaring it, and the music director was preaching it. The day of reckoning will come, and God Himself will bring it. And those not found in the lamb’s book of life will be cast into the lake of fire forever.

Come, Lord Jesus,

Have a great day

Join our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/2183117951984132/?source_id=181918175166472

June 30th

The Bible reading today is in 2 Chronicles 19-23.

At the end of yesterday’s reading, we saw the sovereignty of God very clearly. God sovereignly chose to save Jehoshaphat in battle and not Ahab.

Let us listen to Psalm 75...“For not from the east or from the west and not from the wilderness comes lifting up, “but it is GOD” who executes judgment, “putting down one” and “lifting up another.”

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭75:6-7‬ ‭ESV‬‬

God put down one king and lifted up the other. Jehoshaphat understood that. He understood that his salvation in battle was God’s merciful and sovereign hand on his behalf. And that kind of faith led King Jehoshaphat to pray like this...today...“O Lord, our God, will you not execute judgment on them...the Moabites, the Ammonites, and their allies who are poised to attack us? For we are “powerless” against this great horde that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, “but”...“our eyes are upon You”...2 Chron. 20:12

I can't help but think of how powerless the world has been and still is with regard to the Covid19 Pandemic these last 4 months. May “we” trust in God’s sovereign mercy praying: Lord we are powerless against this great plague that is coming against us...we do not know what to do...but our eyes are upon You!”

So Jehoshaphat prayed and God answered in a unique way. “Meanwhile all Judah stood before the Lord, with their little ones, the wives, and the children. “ All Judah. Not just the men, but their wives, and the little ones. All standing still in quiet worship before the Lord. Waiting for Him to give some sort of direction. Some sort of encouragement. Some sort of deliverance.

“And then the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jahaziel, a Levite of the sons of Asaph, in the midst of the assembly. “ It was a great gathering of the Judeans that day that Jehoshaphat prayed to God aloud. And the Spirit of the Lord came upon “one man” to speak to the entire assembly.

He wasn't the High Priest or a recognizable prophet of the day. Just a son of Asaph. Could have been a worship leader with songs.

And he said, “Listen, all Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat: Thus says the Lord to you, “Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God’s.”

‭‭2 Chronicles‬ ‭20:13-15‬ ‭

I can't help but wonder if some of the children in that crowd looked up into the faces of their parents and their grandparents with a smile. Remembering the stories told of old where Moses sat on a mountainside with Aaron and Hur holding his arms up as he lifted his staff toward heaven, and God giving Joshua victory over these same Ammonites in the valley below. The battle was the Lord’s. Can't you hear the children repeating the word’s...” the battle is the Lord’s. And adults begin to chant it too...and faith grew...”Amen and Amen!

Oh, friends, whatever makes us afraid...whatever seems to overwhelm us...let us remind one another...the battles are not ours alone...but they are the Lord’s...Halleluiah Amen!

Have a great day