Tuesday, August 4, 2015

August 4
2 Chronicles 35:1-36:23
1 Corinthians 1:1-17
Psalm 27:1-6
Proverbs 20:20-21

Kings come and kings go; but there is one King who reigns forever and ever. 

Josiah followed a long line of kings, and he celebrated a Passover the likes of which had not been seen in Israel since the days of the prophet Samuel.  He was following the words in the Book of the Covenant and it was pleasing to God.  But it seems that God was speaking to other kings of that time as well.  You think that Josiah would have learned from his predecessors that you must first ask the Lord your God what to do.  When you ask, the Lord will show you the way.  Hence, his defeat in battle by Neco, the king of Egypt.  Neco made the connection with God and was blessed in his battle, even though it was not Josiah's country with which he was at war.  Wrong place, wrong time and without the Lord's guidance and protection Josiah met his end.  When we lean on our own understanding and remove God from the picture, you can't really expect good results.  I know that we cannot always prevent bad things from happening but if we listen, God will speak to us and guide us in all of our ways. 

The other thing that got to me was there were so many, many kings that immediately tried to remove the Lord from the picture - reverting to pagan ways, greed, corruption.  Guess things today have not changed much from the Old Testament.

As I read Psalm 27:1-6 I had a deeper understanding about dwelling in the house of the Lord.  It is my interpretation and it could be wrong, but as I read it, I felt that if I do what the Spirit is telling me knowing full well the difference between right and wrong - then I am dwelling in this current day and age in the house of the Lord.  David was seeking to dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of his life.  So it is here and now.

Lastly, at church this past Sunday during Steve's sermon, I had this feeling that I could not shake.  God is the Father of us all - He is our Creator - He performs miracles to this day!  Lord God, You are our Father, and only You can make these miracles happen.  We are your children, and even though we may not be deserving all the time, the Blood of Christ has made us flawless.  Father, many of your earthly children are in need of healing; please show us your mercy; hold us and heal us with your loving Fatherly hands.  In Jesus' name we all pray!