Confrontation

Readings for today: 2 Kings 22-23, 2 Chronicles 34-35

Many years ago, a mentor of mine told me “it’s not enough to read your Bible, you have to let your Bible read you.” When you open God’s Word, you must expect God to speak. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever and His Word is living and active. He will encourage you. He will bless you. He will teach you. He will challenge you. And He will confront you. In fact, if you have read the Bible and not been confronted by your sin, I would humbly suggest you aren’t really engaging God’s Word for all it’s worth. You are simply reading for information rather than transformation.

Let me show you what I mean. In our reading for today, King Josiah hears God’s Word read seemingly for the first time in his life. For whatever reason, the Book of the Law has been lost for generations. The people of God haven’t celebrated Passover in decades. All they have to go on is oral traditions that have been passed down. So when Hilkiah finds the book during the Temple restoration, he knows it’s important. He gives it to Shaphan who is overseeing the work who, in turn, reports back to the king. When the king hears the words of the book, his first response is to tear his clothing in repentance. He immediately sends the priest and his officials to “inquire of the Lord” which was a formal way of approaching God for wisdom and guidance. Josiah knew he and his people were in trouble. He knew all the things his father had done. He knew God’s people had not been obedient and he took seriously the warnings of judgment God had proclaimed to many of his ancestors. “When the king heard the words of the book of the law, he tore his clothes. Then he commanded the priest Hilkiah, Ahikam son of Shaphan, Achbor son of Micaiah, the court secretary Shaphan, and the king’s servant Asaiah, “Go and inquire of the Lord for me, for the people, and for all Judah about the words in this book that has been found. For great is the Lord’s wrath that is kindled against us because our ancestors have not obeyed the words of this book in order to do everything written about us.” However, because of Josiah’s tender and humble response, God relented of the disaster He was bringing. In His great mercy, He postponed it one more generation. “Say this to the king of Judah who sent you to inquire of the Lord: ‘This is what the Lord God of Israel says: As for the words that you heard, because your heart was tender and you humbled yourself before the Lord when you heard what I spoke against this place and against its inhabitants, that they would become a desolation and a curse, and because you have torn your clothes and wept before me, I myself have heard this is the Lord’s declaration. ‘Therefore, I will indeed gather you to your ancestors, and you will be gathered to your grave in peace. Your eyes will not see all the disaster that I am bringing on this place.’” Then they reported to the king.” (2 Kings‬ ‭22‬:‭11‬-‭13‬, ‭18‬-‭20‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

Now how does this relate to my life? How does God speak through these verses into my day to day? Here’s where reflection and meditation come in. We ask God to show us where we have committed the same or similar sins as the people of Israel. Where have we been engaged in idolatry? Where have we failed to give God the honor and glory due His name? Where have we failed to keep faith? If we do this authentically and honestly, God will show us where we have fallen short. Once our sin is revealed to us, what is our response? Do we harden our hearts like Manasseh or do we humble ourselves like Josiah? Do we repent of our sins and turn from our self-centered ways or do we dismiss God’s Word, presume upon God’s grace, and keep living for ourselves? When was the last time you experienced a deep conviction over your sin? When was the last time you told God you were sorry for your sin? When was the last time you talked to God about your sin? When was the last time you actually made a significant change in your life to turn away from sin? These are all critical questions for us to ponder and pray over. Be courageous and ask God to show you your sin today. Then ask Him to give you the strength to turn from your sin and turn to Christ. Let Him sanctify you in His great love.

Readings for tomorrow: No devotionals on Sundays

Contradictions

Readings for today: 2 Kings 21, 2 Chronicles 33

“How do you experience me?” A dear friend and colleague of mine once challenged a group of us to ask this question of those we love and serve. It’s not an easy one to ask. It makes us vulnerable. It opens the door to all kinds of feedback, some of which may not be positive. It invites the other person to speak into your life and share what they’ve seen. Over the years, I’ve posed this question to family and friends and their responses have been illuminating. The picture that emerged of Doug Resler was full of all kinds of contradictions. Good and bad. Positive and negative. Plenty to admire and plenty to make a person cringe in embarrassment. I’ve had lots of successes and lots of failures in my life. I’ve had days when I’m easy to love and days when I make it hard. I’ve had seasons where I’ve sailed and seasons where I’ve struggled and it’s made an impact on those around me. Depending on when a person’s life intersected mine, they might experience one version of Doug that would be entirely different if their life intersected mine at a different season. For example, I recently sat down with two high school friends. Guys I have not seen since graduation over thirty years ago. Our lives look much different now of course. And as we caught up, it was amazing to see how much we have all changed.

I thought about that conversation with my friends as I read through the life of Manasseh today. When you lay the two accounts side by side, a very different perspective on Manasseh comes into view. One perspective, from the author of 2 Kings, is entirely negative. The man was evil. The man re-instituted all the detestable worship practices of the nations surrounding Israel. The man rejected his father’s godly legacy in favor of a pagan one. He even set an idol up in God’s Temple! Because of Manasseh, the judgment of God falls on the southern nation of Judah. Because of Manasseh, the people of God will go into exile in Babylon. Because of Manasseh, God will wipe Jerusalem clean as one wipes a bowl. (A striking image to say the least!) However, there is more to the story. The author of 2 Chronicles offers a more complex picture. Yes, he confirms much of what 2 Kings has to say but he adds a significant caveat. Manasseh was imprisoned at some point in his life and in his distress, sought the Lord. He repented and returned to faith. As a result, God restored him to his throne and he spent the last part of his life trying to undo the evil he had done in the first part of his life. Some might call the differences between the two accounts a “contradiction”, perhaps even a reason to dismiss them altogether, but I believe the contradiction lies within Manasseh himself and I wonder if the authors simply met him and experienced him at different points in his life?

The human heart is full of contradictions. We love and we hate. We are humble and we are proud. We are kind and we are mean. We are compassionate and we are cold and uncaring. We are peaceful and we are violent. We are truthful and we lie. We are faithful and unfaithful. In fact, the only consistent thing about us seems to be our inconsistency. Our inability to walk a straight and narrow road. Seasons come and seasons go. People change. Sometimes for the better. Sometimes for the worse. In my experience, it’s usually both. Rather than condemn someone for who they were or what they’ve done or where they’ve been or how you experienced them in the past, forgive them and offer them another chance. Assume the best rather than the worst of them. They might surprise you!

Readings for tomorrow: Nahum 1-3

Test

Readings for today: Isaiah 38-39, 2 Kings 20:1-21, 2 Chronicles 32:24-33

Testing is a part of life. I think of when I played college sports and how my body was tested over and over again. In the weight room. On the field. I was constantly pushed to my limits and beyond. And what happened when I passed each test? My body got stronger. I got better. My skills improved. I think of my educational work. My mind was tested at every level. Grade school. Middle School. High School. College. Masters. Doctorate. I was constantly pushed to the limits of my ability to grasp and understand complex ideas. But what happened as I learned? My mind grew sharper. My thought processes became far more refined. I was able to articulate what I believe and why with much greater clarity. I think of the work I’ve done in counseling. I was pushed beyond my emotional limits and forced to come to grips with serious flaws in my character. My anger. My frustration. My perfectionism. All were getting in the way of the relationships I cared most about in my life. But what happened as I did the work? I grew more emotionally mature and regulated. I became more self-aware and secure. I was able to confess my sins and mistakes and ask for forgiveness.

Perhaps the greatest tests I have had to face over the course of my life are the spiritual ones. The ones God Himself brings into my life. I’ve been a Christian for just about thirty years now and there are many times where God called me to step out of my comfort zone to learn what was truly in my heart. Was I all talk? Was my faith just a Sunday morning thing? Did I practice what I preached? I think of the tests I’ve endured in ministry. Key moments that determined the future of the churches I served. God has given me so many opportunities over the years to trust Him and I have to tell you, it’s never easy. It brings me to the end of my strength and wisdom almost every time. It pushes me beyond what’s comfortable, beyond what’s familiar, beyond what’s expected so I can learn to lean on God.

Hezekiah faced such a test when ambassadors from a foreign land came to visit him and hear more about the miraculous healing he had experienced. “When the ambassadors of Babylon’s rulers were sent  to him to inquire about the miraculous sign that happened in the land, God left him to test him and discover what was in his heart. ” (2 Chronicles‬ ‭32‬:‭31‬ ‭CSB‬‬) Hezekiah had every opportunity to give all glory to God but he was proud. He was proud of all he had accomplished. He was proud of all he had built. He was proud of all his wealth and power and influence. So when the envoys came, he showed off. He took them all around the palace. Held nothing back as he tried to impress them and in doing so, he seals the fate of his descendants. They would suffer death and destruction and exile. All because Hezekiah failed the test when it came.

What about you? What tests are you facing in your life right now? Are you seeking to pass them in your own strength? According to our own wisdom? With your own resources? Or are you facing those tests with faith? Turning to God? Asking for His help as you face each trial? Seeking His will and His way as you take your next step? When God tests you, what will He discover about your heart? What will He find out about your faith? Are you truly walking the walk and not just talking the talk?

Readings for tomorrow: Isaiah 40-42, Psalms 46

Deliverance

Readings for today: Isaiah 36-37, 2 Kings 18:9-19:37, 2 Chronicles 32:1-23, Psalms 76

Nothing is impossible for God. With God on our side, there is always hope. Even when our enemies are at the gate and their power seems overwhelming and it looks like there is no way out, God can make a way. In fact, it’s often when God does His best work. Think of what you know about the history of Israel. If you’ve been tracking with us all year, you know this isn’t the first time Israel has faced impossible odds. I think of the time Egypt’s army was bearing down on them and their backs were against the Red Sea. I think of the impregnable walls of Jericho that came tumbling down. I think of David facing off against Goliath. Over and over again, God had proved faithful. Every time it seemed like Israel was finished, God came through. All He asked was that they turn to Him and trust Him rather than place their trust in alliances, bribes, or their own strength.

One of the fascinating things about our reading today is how the three different authors of three different books (Isaiah, 2 Kings, 2 Chronicles) all report the same details. Interestingly enough, Sennacharib’s own records which were recorded on the walls of his palace in Nineveh do not mention the capture of Jerusalem which is surprising since he mentions the capture of 46 other towns and cities. It’s a tacit admission of his failure. Furthermore, the circumstances of his death recorded in the Bible have also been confirmed by Assyrian sources. It’s truly a miraculous deliverance. The Assyrian Empire was one of the most brutal and terrifying empires in the ancient world. They were constantly at war, constantly expanding their territory through conquest. They never would have stopped at Jerusalem unless they were forced to by some power greater than their own. Additionally, like most ancient civilizations, they attributed their success to the power of their own gods. They believed their wars were not just a contest here on earth but in heaven as well. It’s why the spokesperson for Sennacharib mentions the defeat of all the other gods of all the other tribes they had faced. They falsely assumed Yahweh was just another tribal god, powerless before their own gods.

Sometimes I fear we fall into the same trap. Though very few of us probably worship pagan deities like they did in the ancient world - though I have been places around the world where that still takes place - we do make gods out of money, sex, power, etc. And we falsely believe these gods are often more powerful than Yahweh. Think of the sexual revolution and its impact on western society. Instead of trusting in the Lord and His plan for sex, we have become enslaved to sexual desire. Think of capitalism and how it has supercharged our natural greed. Instead of trusting the Lord and His generous provision, we have become enslaved to an insatiable appetite for “more.” Think of our desperate need for safety and security. Instead of trusting the Lord and His protection, we have become enslaved to our fears and anxieties and do all we can to accumulate enough power to control the circumstances of our lives.

The challenge we face is no different than the one faced by Hezekiah and his people. It’s the challenge to walk by faith and not by sight. It’s the challenge to trust God rather than in our own wisdom and strength. It’s the challenge to seek God first rather than as a last resort. It’s the challenge to believe Him when He says He will provide and protect us. What challenges are you facing today? What’s keeping you up at night these days? What’s troubling you? Cast all of your anxieties on God because He cares for you.

Readings for tomorrow: No devotionals on Sundays

The Joy of the Lord

Readings for today: 2 Kings 18:1-8, 2 Chronicles 29-31, Psalms 48

There is nothing like the joy of the Lord. It is powerful to experience. It moves the heart. It transforms the mind. The impossible becomes possible. The improbable becomes probable. The unexpected becomes expected. Miracles become common. The extraordinary becomes ordinary. All kinds of possibilities are unleashed. All kinds of resources are unlocked. The joy of the Lord forges a unity between people that God uses to advance His Kingdom purposes in the world.

The nation of Judah experienced a revival under King Hezekiah. A revival marked by and driven by the joy of the Lord. It begins as the Levites are reconsecrated and cleanse the Temple. This leads to a ritual burning of all the idols and unholy things Ahaz had brought into God’s sacred space. It builds as Judah celebrates the Passover for the first time in generations. A seven day feast that goes an additional seven days because the people don’t want to stop worshipping the Lord. Hezekiah literally feeds this revival by offering an additional thousand bulls and seven thousand sheep to the affair! It culminates in an overwhelming abundance of freewill offerings as the nation brings the best of their flocks and the produce of their fields. There’s so much the Levites have to literally pile it up in the Temple precincts. It’s just incredible.

It begs the question. Is such a thing still possible today? Is revival still possible today? And the answer is absolutely! But it requires a single-mindedness. A whole-hearted devotion. A passion to serve God and submit to His will and follow His way. One cannot have revival on one’s own terms. One cannot manufacture revival through human means. One must seek the Lord faithfully and fervently. One must put aside all idols. One must reject all sin. One must cast aside anything that would distract or detract from the worship of God.

So where does one begin? We begin with prayer. We pray through Psalms like Psalms 48. We ask God to pour out His Holy Spirit on us and on those we love and on those we worship and serve alongside in the church. We ask God to fill us with His Spirit. We confess our sins and purify our hearts before Him. We humble ourselves and commit to His will above our own. We give generously and sacrificially of our time, talent, and treasure and we encourage others to do the same. Most of all, we come with a sense of expectation into His presence. Whether we are worshipping at home in our personal time with God or worshipping at church with the family of God, we come with a sense of expectation that God will move. God will answer. God will bring about revival and it will begin with me.

Readings for tomorrow: Isaiah 27-30

Monotheism

Readings for today: 2 Kings 16-17, 2 Chronicles 28

Monotheism is the belief in one god and it’s an open question among biblical scholars as to when Israel came to this conclusion. Certainly, the Bible acknowledges Abraham and Sarah’s belief in the pagan gods before meeting the one true and living God. It’s highly probable the Patriarchs believed in many gods even as they enjoyed a special relationship with one particular God, though they didn’t even know His name. We don’t know much at all about the religious faith of the people of Israel when they were slaves in Egypt but we do know they needed to be re-introduced to the God of their fathers at Mt. Sinai. By this time, God had revealed His name to Moses and made it clear in the Ten Commandments that He was to be worshipped before all other gods. But did that mean those gods didn’t exist? Did that mean Yahweh was the supreme God among all others? Again, the record is mixed. Clearly, the people of Israel often became confused and “went after other gods” worshipping them instead of or alongside Yahweh. This is the reason the northern kingdom of Israel was finally destroyed according to author of 2 Kings. By the time we get to the New Testament, it is clear from Jesus and the Apostle Paul that the other gods are either demonic in origin or simply fantasies of our own creation. There is only one God. His name is Yahweh. He alone is to be worshipped and adored.

Why does this matter? Read the end of the seventeenth chapter of the book of 2 Kings. The northern kingdom of Israel was unfaithful from the moment God set them apart. From the moment He tore them from the hands of David’s descendants and set Jeroboam on the throne, they engaged in idolatry. They set up their own religious system. They refused to worship God on His terms and this led them down the road of polytheism. They worshipped all sorts of gods other than Yahweh and broke the first commandment repeatedly. Their refusal to submit to the terms of the covenant God had made put them in danger and they eventually were destroyed and scattered by the Assyrian Empire. The same thing will happen to the southern kingdom of Judah as well though their idolatry is not quite as pervasive. They will eventually be conquered by the Babylonian Empire and carried off into exile. One may have all kinds of opinions about the socio-political reasons both kingdoms fell but the judgment of the Bible is clear. They fell because of idolatry.

It’s easy to think we would never make such a mistake. It’s easy to assume we are immune from such temptations. I doubt any of us worship pagan gods. We probably don’t set up idols in our homes. We don’t go to “high places” to make sacrifices. But that doesn’t mean our worship is pure. Listen again to what happened after Israel was scattered. “But the people of each nation were still making their own gods in the cities where they lived and putting them in the shrines of the high places that the people of Samaria had made…They feared the Lord, but they also made from their ranks priests for the high places, who were working for them at the shrines of the high places. They feared the Lord, but they also worshiped their own gods according to the practice of the nations from which they had been deported. They are still observing the former practices to this day. None of them fear the Lord or observe the statutes and ordinances, the law and commandments that the Lord had commanded the descendants of Jacob, whom he had given the name Israel.” (‭‭2 Kings‬ ‭17‬:‭29‬, ‭32‬-‭34‬ ‭CSB‬‬) Did you catch the common refrain? “They feared the Lord but…” They feared the Lord but set up pagan priests. They feared the Lord but worshipped other gods. They feared the Lord but didn’t observe His statutes, ordinances, laws, or commands. Any of that starting to feel familiar? Starting to hit home? We fear the Lord but set up priests who serve at the altars of success or wealth or power or position. We fear the Lord but worship gods like money or lifestyle or some form of social/cultural/ethnic identity. We fear the Lord on Sunday morning but don’t give His laws and commands a second thought Monday through Saturday. It begs the question…are we really monotheists ourselves?

Readings for tomorrow: Isaiah 13-15

Divine Providence

Readings for today: 2 Kings 14-15, 2 Chronicles 25

There is so much about this world that remains a mystery. So much about human life and human history that defies explanation. For example, we all seem to have this innate sense within us that the world should run on justice and fairness and equality and peace. We feel it viscerally when these principles are violated. We hate seeing bad things happen to good people. We can’t understand why good things happen to bad people. We grieve when the innocent suffer. We become enraged when evil seems to be winning. And there’s something deep inside that longs to make sense of it all. So we look for meaning. We look for purpose. Ultimately, we look for hope. Hope for a better world. Hope for a better life. Hope for a better future.

The same was true in ancient Israel. A new king ascends to the throne. He’s not a good king. In fact, he’s an evil king. He doesn’t worship God. He commits all the same sins as his forbears. The nation will descend into chaos after he dies. But he reigns for over forty years. And in that time, he restores the national borders of Israel to their original mandate. He rules over a “golden age” of sorts for the Northern Kingdom. He is blessed with prosperity and power. “In the fifteenth year of Judah’s King Amaziah son of Joash, Jeroboam son of Jehoash became king of Israel in Samaria, and he reigned forty-one years. He did what was evil in the Lord’s sight. He did not turn away from all the sins Jeroboam son of Nebat had caused Israel to commit. He restored Israel’s border from Lebo-hamath as far as the Sea of the Arabah, according to the word the Lord, the God of Israel, had spoken through his servant, the prophet Jonah son of Amittai from Gath-hepher. For the Lord saw that the affliction of Israel was very bitter for both slaves and free people. There was no one to help Israel. The Lord had not said he would blot out the name of Israel under heaven, so he delivered them by the hand of Jeroboam son of Jehoash.” (2 Kings‬ ‭14‬:‭23‬-‭27‬ ‭CSB) Essentially, the ancient authors are trying to make sense of it all here. How can it be that a king who does evil in the Lord’s sight is able to be so successful?

The answer is divine providence. God working in the world and through human beings to accomplish His will. Many may be familiar with the words from Romans 8:28 that talks about God using all things for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. The point in that verse is that God uses even the bad things for the good of His chosen people. The converse is also true. God uses the good things that happen to bad people for the good of His chosen people. Jeroboam was an evil king and yet God saw the affliction of His people and used even this evil man to deliver them. The point of it all is that nothing is beyond the reach of God. Nothing is outside His sovereign control.

Now think about our own situation in our nation, in our state, in our local communities. Think about the political leaders at all levels of society. All of us probably have opinions on whether they are good or evil and the reality is they all are a mixture of both. Placing our trust in them is a losing proposition because they are human. They are sinful. They will make mistakes. They don’t have much power in the grand scheme of things. So we have to look beyond them and above them to God. We place our trust in Him. We trust He is working out His sovereign purposes through those He raises up regardless of whether we voted for them or what we think of them.

Readings for tomorrow: Jonah 1-4

Mentor

Readings for today: 2 Kings 12-13, 2 Chronicles 24

My first mentor was and is a man named Don Bachman. Don became my mentor soon after I became a Christian in college and we still talk almost every month. It is not a stretch to say that I am the man and the husband and the father and the pastor I am today because of Don’s influence. In addition to Don, I can count any number of other mentors God brought into my life over the years who also shaped me into the person I am today. Charles Tyler. Berk Sterling. Peter Barnes. Doug Garrard. Tom Gillespie. Jim Kay. Cleophus LaRue. Sam Atchison. Burwell Bennett. Steve Hayner. Tom Melton. Bud Sparling. Randy MacFarland. David Schultz. Harry Lightner. Ray Noah. The list is significant. In addition to the godly men, God used to mentor me, there have been any number of godly women along the way as well. Joan Smart. Fran Atchison. Daisy Grimes. Sissy Crowe. Ruth Gamble. Sharol Hayner. Sarah Arnold. Linda Noah. Most of all, my mother, Esther Resler. Yes, the mentoring from these women took on a different tone and form than the mentoring I received from the men but it was formative nonetheless.

By all accounts, Joash was a good king. For most of his life and for most of his reign, he was faithful to the Lord. This was no accident. The Bible makes it clear that he had an exceptional mentor. “And Jehoash did what was right in the eyes of the Lord all his days, because Jehoiada the priest instructed him.” (2 Kings‬ ‭12‬:‭2‬ ‭ESV‬‬) Jehoiada was both a godly man and a godly priest. He served the Lord until the age of 130 and they buried him among the kings of Israel in the city of David because of all the good he had accomplished in his life. Soon after he passed, Joash came under the influence of his fellow princes. They led him astray. He neglected the Temple he had repaired and abandoned the worship of God. He killed those who confronted him, even Jehoiada’s own son! Finally, he was assassinated by his own servants.

When you look back over the course of your life, who are the godly influences who shaped you into the person you are today? And who are you, in turn, mentoring in your life right now? I am blessed to meet with several men on a regular basis and we talk about life and faith and how we might follow God more closely. We discuss deep issues and we pray for each other regularly. It’s intense work at times but it’s good and I can see the difference it is making in their lives. The same difference I hope Don and all the others can see that they’ve made in my life. Mentoring is a key component to discipleship. Make sure you have people in your life who are mentoring you and make sure you are mentoring others. This is how we pass on the faith.

Readings for tomorrow: 2 Kings 14-15, 2 Chronicles 25

Legacy

Readings for today: 2 Kings 8:16-29, 2 Chronicles 21-22:1-9

Ahab was a terrible king for all kinds of reasons. He broke just about every one of the Ten Commandments. He chose to worship Baal rather than Yahweh. He made graven images. He took the Lord’s name in vain. He lied. He coveted. He murdered. He stole. He treated sin flippantly and “did more to arouse the anger of the Lord” than any of the kings who came before him. His wife Jezebel was at least his equal in unrighteousness. She partnered with him in all of his crimes. She sought the death of Elijah, Israel’s greatest prophet. Together, they did more to lead Israel astray than any other king in her history.

It shouldn’t come as a surprise to us when their influence exerts itself generationally over their descendants. Jehoram, king of Judah, came under their sway by marrying their daughter. As such, he chose to walk away from his own father’s example of faithfulness and instead “walk in the ways of the kings of Israel.” The results are predictable. The same things that happen to Israel begin to happen in Judah. War breaks out on their borders. Tribes like Edom successfully revolt and set up kingdoms of their own. Pagan shrines known as “high places” are re-established throughout the hill country. God’s people begin to worship other gods. After Jehoram (or Joram) dies, his son Ahaziah follows his ungodly legacy. He even makes a strategic alliance with the house of Ahab against Syria but it ends in great tragedy. The house of Ahaziah comes to an end. Jehoram, Ahaziah’s father, dies “to no one’s regret.”

It’s a sobering reminder to us all. Generational sin is real. The sins of the fathers and mothers are often passed down to the children. Sin that goes unaddressed in our lives is often repeated by those who follow us. We exert a shaping influence for good or for evil on those around us, especially those in our own homes. How often have I seen my own weaknesses and struggles reflected in my children? How often have I seen my doubts and fears reproduced in the people I serve? How often have my own sinful tendencies come back to haunt me? Thankfully, God is faithful. As I humble myself and repent before Him, He is faithful to forgive and He is faithful to make my life a living demonstration of the gospel. Through my brokenness, His surpassing grace and power makes itself known and this too ripples out across the generations. So it comes down to this…what kind of legacy do I want to pass on? And what I am doing today to build that legacy?

Readings for tomorrow: 2 Kings 9-11, 2 Chronicles 22:10-12, 23

Missional

Readings for today: 1Kings 15:25-34, 1 Kings 16, 2 Chronicles 17

For over ten years, I’ve been teaching at a local seminary. The focus of my work is usually evangelism and mission though occasionally I teach some pastoral leadership courses. Whenever I teach, I try to focus my students outward. On the community where they are planted and where they will serve. One way I do that is through what I call the “Immersion Experience.” Basically, the student has to go out into the community and find a local gathering place. It could be a coffee shop, bar, gym, park, you name it. Just a place people in the community gather and spend intentional time there. Usually I ask them to reflect on a question or two while they are there as well. This is not just something I ask my students to do. It’s a practice I engage in myself. For almost sixteen years, I’ve been hanging out at Fika Coffee on Main Street or the Tailgate Bar and Grill in my community. I’ve built relationships with baristas and bartenders. Servers and general managers. Regulars who frequent these establishments. It’s been fun to get to know them. It’s led to all kinds of wonderful Spirit-filled conversations. I’ve been able to share the gospel many times over. Simply because I am present. Simply because I am there.

One of the more amazing things about the reign of Jehoshaphat is he sends his officials and Levites out to teach the people. He sends them out of Jerusalem into the surrounding villages and towns and communities to share the Word of God. They take the Law of God with them and they go throughout all of Judah to preach and to teach and the result is amazing. The “terror of the Lord” falls on all the kingdoms surrounding Judah. Some of them even bring tribute to Jehoshaphat. Why? Because Israel is always at her strongest when she is at her most obedient. The more faithful she is to the Law, the more the Lord protects her and brings her peace. The more she aligns her heart with God’s heart, the more she is blessed. It is the Lord who protects her. It is the Lord who strengthens her. It is the Lord who is her fortress and strong tower. This is the point I think the author is trying to make by placing Jehoshaphat’s educational reforms before the description of his military might. Because one necessarily follows the other. Jehoshaphat would have no strength if he didn’t have the Lord.

Now fast forward two thousand years. Imagine what could happen if churches would focus more on their “sending” capacity rather than their “seating” capacity. Imagine what could happen if individual Christians fulfilled their calling to take the light of the gospel to the world, starting in their own homes and neighborhoods. Imagine what could happen if we saw ourselves as sent out to teach the Word of the Lord to everyone in our community. This is the heart of what it means to be missional. It means we focus all of our energy and effort outward to a world in desperate need. It means we take all that we have learned and all that we have been given and we seek to share it with those around us.

Readings for tomorrow: 1 Kings 17-19

Fathers

Readings for today: 1 Kings 15:1-24, 2 Chronicles 13-16

Yesterday was Father’s Day. A day we take time to celebrate our fathers and what they mean to us. It’s become a bittersweet day for me. My father has been dead now for over a year and I miss him. At the same time, he wasn’t a perfect dad. He and I struggled in our relationship for a lot of those years. He battled alcoholism as well as a host of other physical issues over the years. It wasn’t easy for him or for those around him. Thankfully, he and I were able to forgive and reconcile in the latter years of his life. He became an amazing grandfather to my kids and we became good friends. Miraculously, I was able to lead him to Christ and baptize him in the Jordan River when we were in Israel about a year and a half before he died. That memory remains one of God’s greatest gifts to me.

Father’s Day can be a mixed bag. For some it is a day of celebration. They’ve been blessed to have a great dad. Perhaps even a godly dad. A dad who poured his life into them. A dad who provided for them. A dad who served them. A dad who taught them about Jesus. For others, it’s a painful day. They don’t have a great dad. Their dad walked out on them. Their dad abused them. Their dad cursed them. Their dad certainly didn’t teach them about the love of Jesus. For still others like me, it’s a bittersweet day. They’ve lost their dad. They miss his wisdom and advice. They miss his hugs and affection. They miss his faithful presence. Fathers serve a special role in our lives. They have a high calling which is to do their best to reflect the character of their Heavenly Father to their children. So many kids form their view of God based on their relationship with their dad.

I thought about the power of fathers as I read the verses for today. As we read deeper into the histories of God’s chosen people, we begin to see patterns emerge. Some kings are faithful and accomplish great things for God. Some kings are faithless and fall under His judgment. All of them are a mixed bag to some extent, seeking God faithfully at times and falling short at other times. We’ve already seen this reflected in the lives of David and Solomon and Rehoboam. Today we read about Abijah and Asa. Two men who followed their fathers’ example. The judgment of the author of 1 Kings is that Abijah did not wholly walk with the Lord. He continued the pattern of sins that his father did and yet God remained faithful for the sake of His covenant with David. The author of the Chronicles is less harsh in judging Abijah. He acknowledges the way Abijah called on God in his war with Jeroboam. Still it seems clear that Abijah left a mixed legacy to his own son, Asa. Asa fairs much better. He “did what was right in the eyes of the Lord” though he did not remain true all his days. He cleansed Judah of her idolatry. He set an example by giving generously to the Temple. He cried out to God when faced with overwhelming odds in his war with Zerah the Ethiopian. Perhaps most importantly, he led a covenant renewal ceremony for all of Judah. However, towards the end of his life, his courage failed and his faith in God faltered. When the king of Israel invaded, Asa sought help from Syria rather than from God. When confronted, he refused to repent and even became cruel. God’s judgment fell. He contracted a wasting disease. His reign ended in conflict. His life serves as a sobering reminder to us all.

What kind of father did you have? Was he a godly man? Did he show you how to love Jesus? Did he teach you how to pray, how to read God’s Word, how to worship and serve? Did he leave a spiritual legacy? If you are a father, what kind of dad are you? Are you godly? Are you showing your children how to love Jesus? Are you teaching them how to pray, how to read God’s Word, how to worship and serve? Are you planning on leaving a spiritual legacy? If you are not a father yet but long to be one, what plans are you making right now to make sure you will be the kind of godly father your children need you to be? How are you developing your character? How are you growing your relationship with Christ? How are you preparing for that day when your child arrives and you’re given both the opportunity and the responsibility to raise them in the Lord? By the way, these are great questions for mothers as well. They are worthy of reflection for anyone who is a parent, longs to be a parent, or who serves as a spiritual parent for the children in a local church family.

Readings for tomorrow: 1 Kings 15:25-34, 1 Kings 16, 2 Chronicles 17

Difference

Readings for today: 1 Kings 13-14, 2 Chronicles 11-12

Several years ago, I had a conversation with an atheist friend of mine. He and I were discussing what difference - if any - being a Christian actually makes on a person’s life. He cited example after example of Christians he knew who lived just like he lived. No discernible difference in the way they did business, the way they treated others, the way they engaged in community. He cited example after example of churches and ministries across the country that seemed to be more focused on making money and expanding their brand than they were on serving the poor and reaching the lost. Again, no discernible difference between them and secular business models. It was a sobering conversation to say the least.

At the same time, I could point to example after example of Christians I knew who lived generously and sacrificially. Whose lives were very different from their secular friends and neighbors. They conducted their businesses with honesty and integrity, motivated by a deeper purpose and higher calling than just making money. They treated others with the dignity and respect due to those made in the image of God. They engaged in community in ways that brought redemptive lift and blessing. I pointed to example after example of churches and ministries I know about that are making a HUGE impact in towns and villages and cities and nations all across the globe. I pointed to the billions of dollars given every year to feed the hungry and clothe the naked and provide all kinds of access to free healthcare and clean water and all kinds of other initiatives around the globe. I asked him where all the atheist non-profits were? I asked him why atheists weren’t on the front lines of global poverty and natural disasters and running food banks? It presented a sobering challenge for him to consider.

Eventually, we drilled down to a personal level. He’s a good man. He’s a lawyer in his town. He does seek to serve and make the lives of his clients better. He’s struggled personally. He’s divorced and only has partial custody of his son. He’s lonely a lot of the time with only his dog to keep him company. He spends a lot of time on social media but doesn’t seem to have very many deep friendships. He used to be a Christian and every now and then does talk about missing the connection to community. We discussed what he’s missing most of all which is the presence of God in his life. God is letting my friend experience what it’s like to try to do life without Him and it reminds me of what our reading says today about Israel, “However, they will become his servants so that they may recognize the difference between serving Me and serving the kingdoms of other lands.” (2 Chronicles‬ ‭12‬:‭8‬ ‭CSB‬‬) God allowed Israel to become a vassal state to the king of Egypt so they could experience the difference between living under God’s Kingdom and living under the kingdoms of this world and He does the same for us. Under which kingdom are you living today? Which king are you seeking to serve? How you answer these questions will make a huge difference in the way you live in the world today.

Readings for tomorrow: No devotionals on Sundays

Division

Readings for today: 1 Kings 12, 2 Chronicles 10

Division breaks the heart of God. Division weakens the people of God. It’s why Jesus prays for the unity of His people in John 17. It’s why the Psalmist talks about how the blessing of God is reserved for “brothers and sisters who dwell in unity.” Israel was at her best when she was united. When all the tribes came together as one. As soon as they divided, they became fodder for their enemies. Their strength was diminished. Their influence waned. Their wealth began to fade. They focused more on attacking each other rather than defending themselves against outside enemies. They lost sight of their purpose which was to be a light to the nations.

I’ve traveled around the world and seen the impact of division firsthand in nation after nation. Protests. Riots. Violence met with more violence. Recently, I was in the Horn of Africa in a part of a country where they are recovering from a recent civil war. While we were there, rebel forces engaged the government forces in a skirmish, reminding us once again how fragile peace and unity can be. Of course, we all see what’s happening here in the United States. The conflict over immigration is leading to confrontation in the streets. Though mostly peaceful, thankfully, there are pockets of violence that disrupt businesses and communities and people in significant ways. Lines are drawn. Sides are chosen. There seems to be little room for compromise and it’s hard to see a way through to any kind of resolution.

I have seen the impact of division in churches. I have been a pastor for almost thirty years now. I have watched denominations split as they fight over theology and property and money. I have watched churches split as they fight over worship preferences, program changes, and leadership failures. I have watched Christians divide over the finer points of theology. In our failure to keep the “main thing, the main thing” we become weak and ineffective. We lose our focus on the Great Commission. We lose sight of the Great Commandment. And the result is gates of hell are able to take their stand against the church. I honestly hate it.

In our reading today, King Rehoboam and his friends fail to read the room. They put their own wants and needs and desires over what’s best for the people of God. Rather than seek to serve, they wanted to be served and they lost the kingdom as a result. Jeroboam made a similar mistake. He acted out of fear rather than faith. Rather than trust the Lord who had called him and raised him up, he set up his own Temple system, complete with its own idols, and it would cost his family the kingdom. Pride. Fear. Anger. Envy. Jealousy. These sins will kill any community. They will break apart any fellowship. They act as accelerants with immense centrifugal force that pulls us apart.

We are not immune from these forces. We too can easily fall prey to sin and separate from our brothers and sisters over the smallest of slights. So how can we stay unified? We must keep our focus on Christ. We must obey His call to fulfill the Great Commission. We must walk in the way of the Great Commandment. As we do these things, He will be faithful to fulfill His promise and make His Great Declaration that the gates of hell will not stand against His church.

Readings for tomorrow: 1 Kings 13-14, 2 Chronicles 11-12

Finishing Strong

Readings for today: 1 Kings 10-11, 2 Chronicles 9, Proverbs 30-31

We are running an event at my church called “Finishing Strong.” It’s designed to equip believers who are 55+ to finish well in life and in faith. To use the latter years of their life to invest in the Kingdom of God. So many in my country spend their whole lives trying to retire early. There’s nothing wrong with this goal except that so many struggle to find purpose in their retirement. There’s only so much golf one can play. There’s only so many trips one can take. Eventually boredom sets in. Retirement, in this sense, is not biblical. Yes, the elders in Scripture handed over their businesses to their children at a certain point and took their seat at the city gate but it wasn’t to spend their days gossiping and drinking wine. They played a vital role in the ongoing health and welfare of their community. They were a source of great wisdom to the generations that followed them. They offered advice on any manner of things. They continued to invest in those who came after them. In fact, the worst thing you could do to a community in those days was rob them of their elders.

“When Solomon was old, his wives turned his heart away to follow other gods. He was not wholeheartedly devoted to the Lord his God, as his father David had been.” (1 Kings‬ ‭11‬:‭4‬ ‭CSB‬‬) Solomon failed to finish strong. He refused to listen to godly counsel and his kingdom began to fall apart in the latter part of his reign. Enemies began to circle him. Enemies from without and enemies from within. Rather than repent and return to the Lord, Solomon doubled down. The seeds were sown for a civil war that would result in great loss of life and the division of the kingdom. It’s a heartbreaking legacy and a sober reminder to us all. We never get too old to follow God. We never age out of discipleship. Our latter years are just as important as our younger years and the Lord pays attention to how we spend them.

It’s never too early to begin considering how you will spend the final decades of your life. Perhaps you are on a trajectory to retire early. My brother just retired from teaching at age 50. If he remains in good health, he will probably have another 30-40 years left of life. He and I recently talked about how he would spend those years. Where can he find meaning and purpose? Where can he invest himself? As a pastor, I’ve had hundreds of these conversations over the years. It’s striking to me how many people retire without a plan. Not necessarily a financial plan. Most have those if they are choosing to opt out of the workforce. No, I’m talking about a plan for where they will invest their time and energy and talent. A plan to find meaning and purpose and pour into the next generation. As Solomon’s example demonstrates, it’s easy to become distracted. It’s easy to find your heart turning towards other gods. It’s easy to waste the final years of your life. What plan are you making right now to finish strong?

Readings for tomorrow: 1 Kings 12, 2 Chronicles 10

Hesed

Readings for today: 2 Chronicles 4-7, Psalms 134, 136

Hesed. God’s eternal, faithful love. This is the love that delivered Israel from all her enemies. This is the love that established Israel in the land. This is the love that put David and his son, Solomon, on the throne. The Temple was built to be the embodiment of love. It was built to remind Israel of God’s love. It was built as a celebration of God’s love. It’s why, once the Temple was complete and the glory of the Lord filled the Holy of Holies, the people cried out, “For He is good; His faithful love (His hesed) endures forever.” It’s why the Psalmist composes Psalm 136 as a song of praise for God’s faithful love. I know sometimes we don’t like to sing songs with the choruses over and over again but this didn’t seem to bother the Psalmist! Not when the subject was God’s hesed! God’s faithful love.

The Hebrew word, hesed, conveys a deep sense of connection. A faithfulness that will never end. It is eternal. It is forever. Nothing can break it. Nothing can defeat it. Not even Israel’s sin. Yes, God promises that if the people of Israel turn away from Him that He will judge them with righteousness and send them into exile but when they repent, His faithful love will always bring them back home. Restore them to their former place. Return them to the Land and renew the covenantal relationship He has always had with them. The faithful love of God is why we can always hold onto hope. No matter how dark things get. No matter how hard things get. No matter what life may throw at us. God’s love never ends. God’s love always holds. God’s love never fails. As the Apostle Paul says in 1 Corinthians 13:7, “God’s love bears all things. Believes all things. Hopes all things. Endures all things. It never fails.”

So where do you find yourself today? What challenges did you wake up to this morning? What obstacles in your life are you working to overcome? What is the state of your heart? Are you following Christ or do you find yourself far from Him? Are you on the narrow road to salvation or have you taken a step off onto the wide path that leads to judgment? No matter where you find yourself, know that God loves you and is waiting for you to repent and turn back to Him. He is waiting to welcome you not with condemnation but with His eternal, faithful love.

Readings for tomorrow: Psalms 146-150

The End and the Beginning

Readings for today: 2 Chronicles 35-36, Psalms 80

The Old Testament ends with a significant plot twist. For those who may not be aware, 2 Chronicles is the last book of the Hebrew Bible. In the traditional Jewish ordering of the books, it comes last because it summarizes so much of what has gone before. So as we come to the end of our Old Testament journey this year, we run across an important reflection. Listen to how God summarizes what has happened to Israel and why…

“All the leaders of the priests and the people multiplied their unfaithful deeds, imitating all the detestable practices of the nations, and they defiled the Lord’s temple that he had consecrated in Jerusalem. But the Lord, the God of their ancestors sent word against them by the hand of his messengers, sending them time and time again, for he had compassion on his people and on his dwelling place. But they kept ridiculing God’s messengers, despising his words, and scoffing at his prophets, until the Lord’s wrath was so stirred up against his people that there was no remedy. So he brought up against them the king of the Chaldeans, who killed their fit young men with the sword in the house of their sanctuary. He had no pity on young men or young women, elderly or aged; he handed them all over to him. He took everything to Babylon — all the articles of God’s temple, large and small, the treasures of the Lord’s temple, and the treasures of the king and his officials. Then the Chaldeans burned God’s temple. They tore down Jerusalem’s wall, burned all its palaces, and destroyed all its valuable articles. He deported those who escaped from the sword to Babylon, and they became servants to him and his sons until the rise of the Persian kingdom. This fulfilled the word of the Lord through Jeremiah, and the land enjoyed its Sabbath rest all the days of the desolation until seventy years were fulfilled.” (2 Chronicles‬ ‭36‬:‭14‬-‭21‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

God is patient with us but He will not be mocked forever. God perseveres with His saints but He will not tolerate sin. Time and time again, God sent His messengers to call His people to repentance only to have them mistreated, rejected, despised, even beaten and killed at times. As the sin of the nation increased, God’s righteous anger increased as well. God had set Israel apart to be a light to the nations. This was their mission. This is why they existed. But like Adam and Eve before them, they rejected God’s plan for their lives and went their own way. They created their own gods and set up idols just like the nations around them. They defiled the Temple and corrupted their worship. As a result, God issues a decree of judgment. It is swift and terrible. He sends the Babylonians to destroy Jerusalem and the Temple and carry the people off into exile. Essentially, He reclaims the Promised Land for Himself. He gives it rest for seventy years. He sanctifies it and sets it apart for His own use until He was ready to bring His people back home.

It’s a devastating indictment. One we would do well to heed ourselves today. Especially the church in the West which is so corrupted by sin and abuse and a lust for political power and social relevance. The church in the West does not do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God. Instead, we reject God’s law. We refuse to walk in God’s love. We worship according to our own preferences and expect God to help us achieve our plans for our lives. We do not submit to Him in humility. We do not sacrifice for Him. We do not seek to advance His Kingdom on the earth. I know I am speaking in generalities and I know there are clear exceptions but, by and large, all the data bears these conclusions out. We are foolish to think we will escape God’s judgment. He will not be mocked. He will not tolerate sin. He will eventually act to bring about His righteousness among His chosen people.

Thankfully, judgment doesn’t have the last word in the Old Testament. There is a postscript to the story. A note of hope to sustain God’s people in the midst of their despair and heartbreak. “In the first year of King Cyrus of Persia, in order to fulfill the word of the Lord spoken through Jeremiah, the Lord roused the spirit of King Cyrus of Persia to issue a proclamation throughout his entire kingdom and also to put it in writing: This is what King Cyrus of Persia says: The Lord, the God of the heavens, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and has appointed me to build him a temple at Jerusalem in Judah. Any of his people among you may go up, and may the Lord his God be with him.”(2 Chronicles‬ ‭36‬:‭22‬-‭23‬ ‭CSB‬)

Readings for tomorrow: Matthew 1-2, Psalms 81

Knowing the Lord

Readings for today: 2 Chronicles 32-34, Psalms 79

One of the most consistent themes throughout Scripture is God’s desire to make Himself known. He will not stop until knowledge of God fills the earth like the waters fill the sea. God will never rest until every person on earth from every tribe, tongue, and nation are given the opportunity to know Him and trust Him. This is God’s great desire, for all to come to know the truth about who He is and His great love for all He has made. We see this on display in a myriad of ways in the Old Testament. God speaks to certain individuals like Abraham and Sarah. God confronts other individuals like the kings of Israel and Judah. God challenges individuals like Pharaoh and the other leaders of the pagan nations of the earth. But the refrain is always the same. God wants to be known. God wants the world to see Him for who He is and has revealed Himself to be. God wants the nations to find their true purpose in worshipping Him alone.

Today we see this mapped out in the conflict between Sennacherib and Hezekiah. Sennacherib was the king of the greatest empire of the time. His armies had rolled through nation after nation, meeting little if any resistance. He saw himself as divinely appointed by his gods to rule over the earth. He even taunts Hezekiah and the people of Israel, claiming God stood no chance against him. “His servants said more against the Lord God and against his servant Hezekiah. He also wrote letters to mock the Lord, the God of Israel, saying against him: Just like the national gods of the lands that did not rescue their people from my power, so Hezekiah’s God will not rescue his people from my power. Then they called out loudly in Hebrew to the people of Jerusalem, who were on the wall, to frighten and discourage them in order that he might capture the city. They spoke against the God of Jerusalem like they had spoken against the gods of the peoples of the earth, which were made by human hands.” (2 Chronicles‬ ‭32‬:‭16‬-‭19‬ ‭CSB‬‬) Sennacherib was a bold and arrogant and foolish king who believed the God of Israel was just another pagan idol. But God will not be mocked and He made Himself known as He destroys the armies of the Assyrians and sets in motion a chain of events that eventually leads to Sennacherib’s death. Hezekiah, on the other hand, is lifted up by God and exalted among the nations. Many turn to the Lord in fear after witnessing the great miracle of salvation and God’s name became known among the people’s of the earth. The same dynamics are in play in the repentance of Manasseh and the reforms of Josiah. Over and over again, God making Himself known.

God is still making Himself known today. God is still on the move in our world today. It can be tough to see at times. The news comes at us fast and hard and relentlessly. It’s almost universally tragic and deceitful and bad. Humanity seems to be locked in a death spiral from which there is no escape. We simply cannot outrun our own foolishness. Our own pride and arrogance. Our own idolatry and sinfulness. Everything we do is corrupted by the pursuit of power, love for money, and a lust for personal, selfish gratification. Only God can turn this around. Only God can change the human heart. Only God can give us a new perspective. Pray for the Lord to give you His eyes to see and His heart to understand and His passion to make Himself known.

Readings for tomorrow: 2 Chronicles 35-36, Psalms 80

Seek the Heart of God

Readings for today: 2 Chronicles 28-31, Psalms 78

Hezekiah was a remarkable man. The polar opposite of his father. Where his father was unfaithful, Hezekiah was faithful. Where his father was morally compromised, Hezekiah was pure. Where his father was evil, Hezekiah was good. One wonders where Hezekiah learned such faithfulness. What made him turn from his father’s ways? Who taught him the ways of the Lord? How did he know to cleanse the Temple, reinstitute the Levites, and celebrate the Passover? These things had been absent for decades. The Temple had been desecrated. The priests and Levites forgotten. And yet somehow Hezekiah’s heart was not only stirred to seek the Lord in this pagan environment but God provided faithful teachers along the way to instruct and guide him. They remain nameless. Their identities known only to God. But what an impact they make through this great man!

Hezekiah is a great example of what can happen when key leaders seek the heart of God. God doesn’t need our wealth. He doesn’t need our power. He doesn’t need our influence or position or authority. He simply needs our hearts. If we seek to love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength; His promise is He will use us to make Kingdom-sized impact on those around us. I love how Hezekiah himself describes it. “Now it is in my heart to make a covenant with the Lord, the God of Israel, in order that his fierce anger may turn away from us.” (2 Chronicles‬ ‭29‬:‭10‬ ‭CSB) He dedicated his life to the destruction of idolatry. He tore down the pagan shrines that dotted the hillsides. He cleansed the Temple. He restored true worship. He sent messengers throughout the length and breadth of the nation to invite people to celebrate the Passover meal. And even though the people had forgotten how to cleanse themselves in preparation, Hezekiah interceded on their behalf, calling on God to honor the intent of their hearts. The impact of this time of celebration was so profound, the people asked to stay an additional seven days to keep worshipping! “The Israelites who were present in Jerusalem observed the Festival of Unleavened Bread seven days with great joy, and the Levites and the priests praised the Lord day after day with loud instruments. Then Hezekiah encouraged all the Levites who performed skillfully before the Lord. They ate at the appointed festival for seven days, sacrificing fellowship offerings and giving thanks to the Lord, the God of their ancestors. The whole congregation decided to observe seven more days, so they observed seven days with joy…” (2 Chronicles‬ ‭30‬:‭21‬-‭23‬ ‭CSB‬‬) Once the feast was compete, the people - inspired by the worship of the True and Living God and Hezekiah’s example - returned to their homes to continue to purge the nation of its idolatry. “When all this was completed, all Israel who had attended went out to the cities of Judah and broke up the sacred pillars, chopped down the Asherah poles, and tore down the high places and altars throughout Judah and Benjamin, as well as in Ephraim and Manasseh, to the last one. Then all the Israelites returned to their cities, each to his own possession.” (‭‭2 Chronicles‬ ‭31‬:‭1‬ ‭CSB‬‬‬) This is nothing short of revival!

I know a lot of Christians who pray for revival. They pray regularly for a fresh movement of God’s Spirit through their lives, churches, communities, and their nation. If that describes you...and I hope it does...I want to encourage you to follow Hezekiah’s example. Don’t wait! Don’t delay! Simply begin to seek God’s face right where you are! If you are a mother or father, seek God’s heart for your home and children. If you are a student or employee, seek God’s heart for your school or place of work. If you are a business, community, or church leader, seek God’s heart for the people you serve. If you are a national leader, seek God’s heart for your country. The secret to Hezekiah’s success had very little to do with his authority as king. It had everything to do with his heart for God. “Hezekiah did this throughout all Judah. He did what was good and upright and true before the Lord his God. He was diligent in every deed that he began in the service of God’s temple, in the instruction and the commands, in order to seek his God, and he prospered.” (2 Chronicles‬ ‭31‬:‭20‬-‭21‬ ‭CSB‬‬‬)

Readings for tomorrow: 2 Chronicles 32-34, Psalms 79

Mentoring

Readings for today: 2 Chronicles 25-27, Psalms 77

Everyone needs a mentor. An older, wiser person in their life who has walked with Jesus faithfully and who can share from a deep well of spiritual wisdom. I’ve been blessed to have several mentors over the course of my life. Don Bachman and Berk Sterling were two men who took me under their wing when I was a new Christian. They taught me how to have a devotional time with Jesus. They taught me how to be a godly husband and father. They taught me the value of serving the Lord with open hands. Jim Kay, Cleophus LaRue, and Sam Atchison were next up for me. I met them in seminary and while I was serving at New Jersey State Prison. They taught me how to be a godly pastor, preach the Word of God, minister effectively and professionally, and most of all, to trust the power of the gospel to change lives. Steve Hayner became a mentor to me while I was pursuing my doctorate. He poured his heart into me and taught me the value of relationships. He was one of the most humble men I have ever met and he cultivated friendships across the political, social, global, and theological spectrum. Something I’ve tried hard to duplicate in my own life. Currently, I am blessed not only to still be meeting with Don Bachman but also men like Randy MacFarland and David Schultz who continue to encourage and challenge me. I am where I am today because of these men. I am who I am today because of these men. There is nothing better for your walk with Jesus than having a godly mentor in your life.

I thought about the power of mentoring when I ran across these words in our reading today, “He sought God throughout the lifetime of Zechariah, the teacher of the fear of God. During the time that he sought the Lord, God gave him success.” (‭2 Chronicles‬ ‭26‬:‭5‬ ‭CSB‬‬) By all accounts, Uzziah was a godly king. He ruled for over fifty years in Jerusalem. He expanded the borders. He built wealth and power. The nation enjoyed a period of great blessing under his leadership. But Uzziah didn’t do this on his own. He wasn’t born this way. He didn’t stumble onto it by himself. He had a mentor. A priest named Zechariah who was well-known in Judah for his faithfulness to God. Zechariah feared the Lord and taught others to do the same, including the young king. While Uzziah was under his influence, the nation prospered and Uzziah sought the Lord and walked in the ways of his father Amaziah and did what was right in the eyes of the Lord. However, one gets the sense that after Zechariah dies (an implicit assumption from the text since Azariah was priest when Uzziah went into the Temple), Uzziah loses his way. He becomes proud and arrogant, believing himself to be worthy enough to offer sacrifices before the Lord. The result is decline and eventual disease and death.

I have known many over the course of my life who started well. They gave their lives to Christ and followed him faithfully under the wise counsel of older, wiser saints. However, I have seen some of those same people fall away as relationships shifted and they no longer had the benefit of a spiritual mentor. That’s why I’m so passionate about mentoring. It’s why I mentor several younger men in my congregation. It’s why I make myself available to younger, less experienced pastors in our denomination and around the world. We all need someone to guide us in the Christian life. If you don’t have one, let me encourage you to find a mentor today.

Readings for tomorrow: 2 Chronicles 28-31, Psalms 78

The Power of Singing

Readings for today: 2 Chronicles 18-20, Psalms 75

Yesterday, we wrapped up our training conference in northern Uganda. As is our custom, we held a commissioning service to send out our church planters. We prayed for them. We encouraged them with Scripture. We heard testimonies. But the part that always gets me is the singing. These men and women are headed into some of the most difficult to reach places on earth. They will face food insecurity and potential starvation. They will lack access to clean drinking water. They will sleep in the bush. They will leave their families for days at a time. They will be attacked along the way. Persecuted for their faith. Some might be imprisoned. We even had one brother martyred for his faith in the past year. And still they sing. Still they go forth with praises on their lips. It’s awe-inspiring.

It reminds me so much of what we read in today’s passage. King Jehoshaphat is so confident in his victory over his enemies that he sends a choir out to lead his army. “Then he consulted with the people and appointed some to sing for the Lord and some to praise the splendor of his holiness. When they went out in front of the armed forces, they kept singing: Give thanks to the Lord, for his faithful love endures forever.”(2 Chronicles‬ ‭20‬:‭21‬ ‭CSB‬‬) This is par for the course for Jehoshaphat. He’s a faithful king. A godly king. One who places his trust in the Lord. So when he hears news that the nations around him have banded together and brought a mighty army against him, he doesn’t panic. He declares a fast. He calls on the people to pray. They cry out to the Lord and He delivers them from their enemies. All that is left for them to do is sing. Sing of His goodness. Sing of His faithfulness. Sing of His steadfast love forever.

Over the years, I’ve had a lot of people ask me why Christians sing and my answer is always the same. We sing because we know the Lord has delivered us. We sing because the Lord has saved us. When the mighty powers of sin and death and devil came against us, we sing because God has protected us and scattered our enemies. In fact, when Christians in the churches I’ve led start arguing over the singing, it’s a sure sign we’ve lost sight of all God has done for us. When we fuss and fight or withhold our singing out of spite, we are making a mockery of the Lord’s salvation and He is not pleased. God has performed a miraculous work for us. How can we not help singing? How can we not join our voices together and sing of the goodness of God? How can we not praise the Lord for all His benefits? The next time you have the opportunity to sing, sing with all your heart. Sing with all our soul. Sing at the top of your lungs. Sing for joy. Sing for love. Sing for God.

Readings for tomorrow: 2 Chronicles 21-24, Psalms 76 (No devotionals on Sundays)