2 Chronicles 28:12-21 King Ahaz’s poor choices and rebellion led him down a slippery slope and now it’s affecting others. Men returning from war came back with material and human spoils. A wise group stopped them, not wanting to add to their sin and guilt (vv. 12-13). Thankfully they used their plunder to care for […]

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2 Chronicles 28:1-11 King Ahaz was given the reins of kingship and, like many 20-year-olds, started looking around him to figure out what to do. He followed others’ lead in interactions with people, how money and time were spent, and in worship. The results were catastrophic: losing 120,000 troops to a single person. Who knows […]

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Psalm 73:23-28 The psalmist in Psalm 73 had just come through a time of struggle over the injustice of life. The wicked appeared to get away with their evil behavior. They prospered while the righteous dealt with one trouble after another. What was the point of living to please God when new problems arose every […]

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Philippians 2:1-8 Jesus once advised a group of honor seekers on how to act at a banquet. In short He said, don’t try to grab the best seat at the table. It might be reserved for another. In embarrassment you may have to take whatever seat you can find. Jesus summed up, “For all those […]

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Matthew 23:23-28 The young pastor was thrilled to receive an unanimous call to his first church. Nevertheless, some members who were present when he interviewed were not there on his first Sunday. When he called on them they announced they were now attending church elsewhere. Puzzled, the new pastor asked a senior board member, “How […]

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Proverbs 11:1-7 Solomon is an intriguing figure in scripture. He is the eldest of the surviving sons of King David and Bathsheba. Through the prophet Nathan he was given the divine nickname: “Jedidiah,” “loved by the Lord” (2 Samuel 12:25). David chose Solomon from his many sons to become his heir (1 Kings 1:28ff). God […]

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2 Chronicles 26:16-23 Power is particularly dangerous when it is controlled by sinful pride. We have the power to do so much. Our power is directed by our will. If our will is guided by self, sin enters in. Think about Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3). God gave them broad […]

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2 Chronicles 26:9-15 Young leaders are often commended for their innovation, energy, and boldness. This was certainly true of Uzziah. The writer of the Chronicles particularly emphasizes how Uzziah became a “powerful” leader (26:8, 13, 15). He “built” and “fortified” towers. He also mustered a well-trained large army, fully equipped them, and installed innovative defenses […]

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2 Chronicles 26:1-8 What were you doing at 16? I was trying to keep my first jalopy running while fighting the battle against acne and all the while holding down my first regular job. Uzziah, however, was made king in Jerusalem. Imagine a teenage king. One day he is ducking his teachers to fix up […]

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Proverbs 3:1-7 It was a surprising question from someone who only recently started worshiping with us, “Do you and your husband plan to stay at this church?” I responded that we didn’t have plans to move at that time. Yet, as the Lord’s servants we were bound to follow His will and go wherever He […]

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