2 Chronicles 28, 2 Kings 16-17, Eternal Identity

 “Ahaz was twenty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. And he did not do what was right in the eyes of the Lord, as his father David had done, Therefore the Lord his God gave him into the hand of the king of Syria, who defeated him and took captive a great number of his people and brought them to Damascus. He was also given into the hand of the king of Israel, who struck him with great force.”

‭‭2 Chronicles‬ ‭28‬:‭1‬, ‭5‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Read Context

It is shocking how much God puts up with.  He doesn’t reject the people or excommunicate them…rather He patiently turns the screws on them intending to remind them of their need for Him.  He even continues to call them His people…as they are rejecting Him and following other Gods.

God, thank You for patiently and faithfully loving me, even when I have repeatedly gone after sin or deceived myself to follow my own desires.  Help me to love You more than anything else and flee from everything that does not draw me closer to You!

Jonah 1-4, Compassionate God

 “And should not I pity Nineveh, that great city, in which there are more than 120,000 persons who do not know their right hand from their left, and also much cattle?””

‭‭Jonah‬ ‭4‬:‭11‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Read Context

What a strange story to highlight our selfishness in contrast to God loving even my enemies.  Lord, help me to be compassionate to everyone You put in my path…

2 Kings 14, 2 Chronicles 25- Anything but Halfhearted

 “And he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, yet not with a whole heart.”

‭‭2 Chronicles‬ ‭25‬:‭2‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Read Context

It is shocking to see when some of these kings do what was right…but don’t turn their whole hearts to the Lord.  God is still not pleased.  He doesn’t just want us to do the right things He wants our whole hearts, mind and bodies!

Lord, I see where I do all the right things, but my whole heart is not Yours…destroy the areas of my heart that refuse to turn to You.  I want to be all in on You only!

Song of Solomon 1-8, Singleminded Pursuit

 “I opened to my beloved, but my beloved had turned and gone. My soul failed me when he spoke. I sought him, but found him not; I called him, but he gave no answer. I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem, if you find my beloved, that you tell him I am sick with love.”

‭‭Song of Solomon‬ ‭5‬:‭6‬, ‭8‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Read Context

I love that God decided to place this passage on young love in the midst of Scripture.  Of course it has some passionate imagery related to this married couple, but. It also points to the passion with which I should be pursuing Christ!  Lord, help me to chase after You like the bride was searching through the city for her husband!  I pray that my delight and attention could be naturally and singularly directed toward You!!!

Psalm 119- Love Learning

 “Deal with your servant according to your steadfast love, and teach me your statutes.”

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭119‬:‭124‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Read Context

I feel conviction reading this because even though I read the Word every day, most days I do not love it.  I want to be able to declare like David, I love your commands therefore bless me!  But instead I need to say, help me love Your Word!

Psalm 111-118, Faithful Love

 “Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!”

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭118‬:‭1‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Read Context

The everlasting love of God is able to withstand every season and every trial.  We can be confident in Him through every season, no matter how we feel or even perceive Him… close or far off.  His love is perfect and His patience long suffering.

Lord, we do not deserve such love!  That You freely provide it demonstrates the vast difference of Your character over mine.  Lord, make me more like You so that others may turn to You and experience Your character through me.

Psalms 6, 8-10, 14, 16, 19, 21- Guiding Presence

 “I said to the Lord, “You are my Lord; I have nothing good besides you.” I always let the Lord guide me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my whole being rejoices; my body also rests securely. You reveal the path of life to me; in your presence is abundant joy; at your right hand are eternal pleasures.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭16‬:‭2‬, ‭8‬-‭9‬, ‭11‬ ‭CSB‬‬

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Lord, how refreshing that You are with me through all of life’s circumstances! All the good that I have in life is directly from Your hand and I can rest knowing that You are right beside me…

Samuel 28-31, Psalm 18- Devine Protection

 “God — his way is perfect; the word of the Lord is pure. He is a shield to all who take refuge in him. For who is God besides the Lord? And who is a rock? Only our God. God — he clothes me with strength and makes my way perfect. He makes my feet like the feet of a deer and sets me securely on the heights. He trains my hands for war; my arms can bend a bow of bronze. You have given me the shield of your salvation; your right hand upholds me, and your humility exalts me.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭18‬:‭30‬-‭35‬ ‭CSB‬‬

Read Context

What a powerful God we serve— He knows our path, strengthens us and protects us— even when it feels like we are lost, wandering and alone.  Lord, allow me to see Your fingerprints in my circumstances, Your presence in the darkness and Your love in the silence. 

Joshua 22-24, Lead Well

 “Israel worshiped the Lord throughout Joshua’s lifetime and during the lifetimes of the elders who outlived Joshua  and who had experienced all the works the Lord had done for Israel.”

‭‭Joshua‬ ‭24‬:‭31‬ ‭CSB‬‬

Read Context

Worship continued in the right direction for Joshua’s lifetime and as long as the elders he led lived…what a great reputation, what an impactful leader!  Lord, help me to live in a way that reminds people of who You are.  Help me lead in a way that points directly to You winsomely! 

Joshua 16-18, Love & Justice

 “As a result, ten tracts fell to Manasseh, besides the land of Gilead and Bashan, which are beyond the Jordan,  because Manasseh’s daughters received an inheritance among his sons. The land of Gilead belonged to the rest of Manasseh’s sons.”

‭‭Joshua‬ ‭17‬:‭5‬-‭6‬ ‭CSB‬‬

Read Context

Gods care for the weak (Manasseh’s daughters, at least in that culture) has always stood out to me.  He is not shaped by culture or man’s expectations but His character always points to love.  Lord, give me eyes to see the weak and help me to work toward justice for their good!

Deuteronomy 32-34, Psalm 91- Love & Faithfulness

 “How happy you are, Israel! Who is like you, a people saved by the Lord? He is the shield that protects you, the sword you boast in. Your enemies will cringe before you,  and you will tread on their backs. ,”

‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭33‬:‭29‬ ‭CSB‬‬

Read Context

How incredible that God cared for Israel, and now cares for us!  We have been saved and protected by God personally…Lord thank You for Your faithfulness and Love to undeserving people!!!

Deuteronomy 3-4, Forgetful

“Only be on your guard and diligently watch yourselves,  so that you don’t forget the things your eyes have seen and so that they don’t slip from your mind as long as you live. Teach them to your children and your grandchildren.  

He will not leave you, destroy you, or forget the covenant  with your ancestors that he swore to them by oath, because the Lord your God is a compassionate God.  

You were shown these things so that you would know that the Lord is God; there is no other besides him. ”

‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭4‬:‭9‬, ‭31‬, ‭35‬ ‭CSB‬‬

Read Context

Why do I need these same reminders about who God is?  It seems like these things would be so inspiring and memorable, but the small (in comparison) trials that I deal with are occasionally inflated to take up my entire view…enough to push these truths from my mind.  

That must be why God decided we needed this second reminder of the law and His works!  Lord, help me to know You and remember Your character especially when I am facing trials!

Numbers 35-36, Uncommon Rights

 “Any daughter who possesses an inheritance from an Israelite tribe must marry someone from the clan of her ancestral tribe, so that each of the Israelites will possess the inheritance of his fathers.”

‭‭Numbers‬ ‭36‬:‭8‬ ‭CSB‬‬

Teaf Context

These women are given rights in a patriarchal society which would have been unheard of. God is changing the way that His people thought and cared for the underprivileged or downtrodden.  God continues to do the same today, by asking His people to care for the poor, the immigrant and the unloved.

God, help me to have compassion like You do!  Allow me to think differently than what my culture would encourage as long as it is in line with Your heart!

Numbers 16-17, Long Suffering

 “The next day the entire Israelite community complained about Moses and Aaron,  saying, “You have killed the Lord’s people! ””

‭‭Numbers‬ ‭16‬:‭41‬ ‭CSB‬‬

Read Context

I wonder how long it had been since Aarons son had been killed when offering unauthorized fire to the Lord, before this episode where 250 people did something similar.  And shockingly, right after God destroys them and their families, the next day the rest of the people are blaming Aaron and Moses.  God is required to have massive patience with them…and me…

Lord, thank you for being long suffering because we need it.  Help us to have better memories and more trust that You are at work in every area of life.

Numbers 7, Knowing God

 “When Moses entered the tent of meeting to speak with the Lord, he heard the voice speaking to him  from above the mercy seat that was on the ark of the testimony, from between the two cherubim.  He spoke to him that way.”

‭‭Numbers‬ ‭7‬:‭89‬ ‭CSB‬‬

Read Contexr

Although these offerings are extravagant, I think the most impressive is that God shows up to talk to Moses.

Lord, help me to be in awe that I can know You…that I can read Your Word and that You want to hear my prayers!  Help me to know You more intimately!!!

Leviticus 19-21, Foreigner Policy

 ““When an alien resides with you in your land, you must not oppress  him. You will regard the alien who resides with you as the native-born among you. You are to love him as yourself,  for you were aliens in the land of Egypt;  I am the Lord your God.”

‭‭Leviticus‬ ‭19‬:‭33‬-‭34‬ ‭CSB‬‬

Read Context

Interesting how the Lord instructs his people how to deal with immigrants and people who are not originally born as Israelites.  If this was Gods intention thousands of years ago, why do we not all agree that we should still treat immigrants in the same way?

Lord, help my friendliness toward immigrants and foreigners be shaped by Your perspective, rather than that of my culture.  I pray that my heart and attitude would help others to think critically about what You would call them to do.

Exodus 19-21, Strengthen My Faith

“When men quarrel and one strikes the other with a stone or his fist, and the injured man does not die but is confined to bed, if he can later get up and walk around outside leaning on his staff, then the one who struck him will be exempt from punishment. Nevertheless, he must pay for his lost work time  and provide for his complete recovery.”

Exodus 21:18-19 CSB

Read Context

These laws are interesting… some make sense from our perspective today while others seem terribly unfair.  Lord, help me to trust You even when it doesn’t make perfect sense!

Exodus 1-3, Mundane Contentment

 “Then the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire within a bush.  As Moses looked, he saw that the bush was on fire but was not consumed. So Moses thought, “I must go over and look at this remarkable sight. Why isn’t the bush burning up? ” When the Lord saw that he had gone over to look, God called out to him from the bush, “Moses, Moses! ” “Here I am,” he answered.”

‭‭Exodus‬ ‭3‬:‭2‬-‭4‬ ‭CSB‬‬

Read Context

I love that God makes Himself known to Moses.  He is going about his normal work, God shows up and gives him an assignment.  I often feel like I need to be intently looking for what God wants me to do so that I don’t miss it.  I am often worried that I have missed what God was telling me to do, because I “just” have my family to love well, my work to do well and my ministry to serve well…all while being surrendered to Jesus!  Doing these things well is contentment.

Lord, help me to stay content with serving You in the normal parts of life.  Help me not to strive for my unhealthy desire to achieve or succeed to feed my identity or pride!

Job 35-37, Beauty & Chaos

 “My heart  pounds at this and leaps from my chest.  Just listen to his thunderous voice and the rumbling that comes from his mouth. He lets it loose beneath the entire sky; his lightning to the ends  of the earth. Then there comes a roaring sound; God thunders with his majestic voice. He does not restrain the lightning when his rumbling voice is heard. God thunders wondrously with his voice; he does great things that we cannot comprehend.”

‭‭Job‬ ‭37‬:‭1‬-‭5‬ ‭CSB‬‬

Read Context

There is a reason that thunderstorms bring awe from deep within us, it is a display of power, chaos and beauty!  None of which can we control… Gods fingerprints in that storm remind us that we are small and insignificant in comparison to all that God is doing.  Yet, He also cares about every detail of our life…we don’t deserve that level of care, but He gives it graciously!

Lord, help me to live in awe of You!  Allow my heart to remember Your faithfulness when the chaos of life is overwhelming.  Remind me that You are bigger than any problem and more powerful than my circumstances!

Job 29-31, Layers & Layers

“For I rescued the poor who cried out for help, and the fatherless child who had no one to support him.  The dying blessed me, and I made the widow’s heart rejoice. I clothed myself in righteousness, and it enveloped me; my just decisions were like a robe and a turban. I was eyes to the blind and feet to the lame.  I was a father to the needy, and I examined the case of the stranger.”

‭‭Job‬ ‭29‬:‭12‬-‭16‬ ‭CSB‬‬

Read Context

I have felt like Job before …fully and thoughtfully reviewing my performance and seeing nothing but good… that was shortly before God revealed what my motivations were. I had no idea that pride was driving much of my good works!  I actually think, that was not the case with Job, I think he was a good guy.  But this reminded me of how blind I can be to my own reality.  

More importantly, it reminded me that God carefully and lovingly walks with us on the road to sanctification.  He doesn’t point us in a direction and tell us to go…but He is with us every step of the way, revealing reality slowly so that we can be made new, one layer at a time.  

God is so patient with us, lovingly opening our eyes to the next failing He wants us to surrender to Him.  He then reshapes us to resemble Jesus just a little bit more, then on to the next, and the next, and the next…