[Originally posted in a WhatsApp group (DG) as a reading update (reflection) from one chapter of the Bible a day]
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"Then
Jehoiada made a covenant between himself and all the people and the king, that
they would be the LORD'S people."
The
people of Yahweh must live differently from others. They must live to please
God and obey Him cheerfully. They must realize that they aren't God themselves
but mere humans therefore they should submit to God and trust Him!
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“Thus
Joash the king did not remember the kindness which his father Jehoiada had
shown him, but he murdered his son. And as he died he said, ‘May the LORD see
and avenge!’”
What
a tragedy! Joash began well and ended badly. May this be a lesson for those who
started well to continue till the end.
Hmm!
@_________ and @_________ who started well in updating must also continue. You
want to be like Joash? π¬
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“Amaziah
said to the man of God, "But what shall we do for the hundred talents
which I have given to the troops of Israel?" And the man of God answered,
"The LORD has much more to give you than this."”
A
great passage to remember when you have spent a lot of time, money, or effort on
a wrong thing. You don't need to think of those, for God has more than you have
spent!
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"They
opposed Uzziah the king and said to him, ‘It is not for you, Uzziah, to burn
incense to the LORD, but for the priests, the sons of Aaron who are consecrated
to burn incense. Get out of the sanctuary, for you have been unfaithful and
will have no honor from the LORD God.’"
We
need some brave people like these guys who would confront the mightiest man of
their land. Courage comes from strong conviction. And conviction comes from
character. They knew the word of God, believed, obeyed, and prevailed upon
Uzziah!
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"So
Jotham became mighty because he ordered his ways before the LORD his God."
The
history of Israelites written in the Bible reveals that God cares about how one
lives his life, individually and collectively. The one who obeys God gets favor
from the Lord, and the one who disobeys God gets hardship.
No
neutral life, either a life lived for God or lived against God. If you aren't
sure, it's the latter, because that's the default status of every man.
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"For
the LORD humbled Judah because of Ahaz king of Israel, for he had brought about
a lack of restraint in Judah and was very unfaithful to the LORD."
God
shall not be mocked. When He is disobeyed, God shall humble him. God raised up
kings, especially for the Israelites and Judeans so that the kings will show
their reverence for God in an exemplary manner for the people to follow God.
Unfortunately,
many kings were arrogant and ruled [lorded] over them.
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"Moreover,
King Hezekiah and the officials ordered the Levites to sing praises to the LORD
with the words of David and Asaph the seer. So they sang praises with joy, and
bowed down and worshiped."
We
do need to restore the love for Psalms. To memorize, to meditate upon it, to
sing, to recite, and even to have a Bible study on it. Martin Luther studied
Psalm before he instigated Reformation. Hezekiah's Reformation included the
Psalms of David and Asaph!
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"Do
not be like your fathers and your brothers, who were unfaithful to the LORD God
of their fathers, so that He made them a horror, as you see."
Hezekiah’s
Reformation or Revival. What a great message! Ought we not say this to the
people of our time as well? The religion of our time is shallow, superficial,
and found lacking.
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"Every
work which he began in the service of the house of God in law and in
commandment, seeking his God, he did with all his heart and prospered."
This
chapter begins and ends with words of commendation. The people repented and the
kingdom prospered!
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"Be
strong and courageous, do not fear or be dismayed because of the king of
Assyria nor because of all the horde that is with him; for the one with us is
greater than the one with him. With him is only an arm of flesh, but with us is
the LORD our God to help us and to fight our battles." And the people
relied on the words of Hezekiah king of Judah."
Leaders
ought to lead like this. A good leader is one who points to God for strength
and hope, of course, without abdicating his responsibility.
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"When
he was in distress, he entreated the LORD his God and humbled himself greatly
before the God of his fathers. When he prayed to Him, He was moved by his
entreaty and heard his supplication, and brought him again to Jerusalem to his
kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD was God."
The
story of Manasseh is a fascinating one. A son of a good, righteous king,
turning out to be the most wicked king and reigning for a long, long time, and
receiving repentance from God in his last days.
If
Manasseh was granted repentance, anyone could be granted, keep praying for loved
ones who are living in darkness and sin!
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"When
the king heard the words of the law, he tore his clothes."
The
word of God should pierce our hearts, whenever it is preached. Sometimes
conviction, sometimes comfort. Confrontation and Exhortation!
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"Then
Jeremiah chanted a lament for Josiah. And all the male and female singers speak
about Josiah in their lamentations to this day. And they made them an ordinance
in Israel; behold, they are also written in the Lamentations."
The
tragic death of Josiah was mourned and lamented by all, even by the prophet
Jeremiah. But God let this happen for good! How was this good? It's not clear
to us except that it's God who gives life and takes life. We aren't in control.
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"Now
in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia--in order to fulfill the word of the
LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah--the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of
Persia, so that he sent a proclamation throughout his kingdom, and also put it
in writing, saying"
God
does work sovereignly over everything. He stirred up the heart of kings. He let
the donkey speak. And He even let the dried bones live.
That's
why we can pray knowing who God is and what He does!