Prophecy fulfilled

Today's Readings: Jeremiah 39:11-18, 40:1-6, 52:12-27; 2 Kings 25:8-21; 2 Chronicles 36:15-21; Lamentations 1:1-22

Highlighted Verses and my thoughts:

"The Lord, the God of their ancestors, repeatedly sent his prophets to warn them, for he had compassion on his people and his Temple." 2 Chronicles 36:15

"So the message of the Lord spoken through Jeremiah was fulfilled.  The land finally enjoyed its Sabbath rest, lying desolate until the seventy years were fulfilled, just as the prophet had said." 2 Chronicles 36:21

Again, the Lord showed his intense compassion for his people by giving them yet another warning to change their ways.  But, again they ignored the message from the prophet.  The Temple was now destroyed by the Babylonians, just as the prophet had warned.  These verses tell of the fulfillment of Jeremiah's prophesy and the beginning of his lamentations of mourning. Jeremiah wrote Lamentations to mourn the destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BC and the beginning of the Exile.

My response to God: Dear Lord, thank you for your patience with me, over and over again, just as you were patient with your people so many years ago.  Open my eyes so that I will not be blind like those in Jerusalem, but that my life will be pleasing in your sight.

A call for prayer

Today's Readings: Jeremiah 37:1-10, 51:15-58, 52:1-3a; 2 Kings 24:10-20a; 1 Chronicles 3:10-16; 2 Chronicles 36:10-14

Highlighted Verses and my thoughts:

"But neither King Zedekiah not his attendants nor the people who were left in the land listened to what the Lord said through Jeremiah.  Nevertheless, King Zedekiah sent Jehucal son of Shelemiah, and Zephaniah the priest, son of Maaseiah, to ask Jeremiah, 'Please pray to the Lord our God for us.'"  Jeremiah 37:2-3

"For the Lord is a God who gives just punishment; he always repays in full." Jeremiah 51:56b

It is amazing to me how bold people can be.  Jeremiah has spent all of this time telling the people how they are brazenly disobeying the Lord, yet when they feel the need they come right out and ask him to pray to the same Lord on their behalf.  In this particular instance, the Lord responded by telling Jeremiah to tell the King of Judah (Zedekiah) that the Babylonians will be coming back to destroy the city.

My response to God: Lord, help me to not be like the people of Judah who only go to you when they need your protection.  Draw me to you through your Word and through your Holy Spirit.  Let me never stray away from your presence.  Remind me daily to show my love for you by loving those around me.

Listening

Today's Readings: 2 Chronicles 36:1-4; 2 Kings 23:36-37, 24:1-4; Jeremiah 22:1-23, 25:1-14, 26:1-24

Highlighted Verses and my thoughts:
"He (Jehoahaz) did what was evil in the Lord's sight, just as his ancestors had done." 2 Kings 23:32

"Perhaps they will listen and turn from their evil ways.  Then I will change my mind about the disaster I am ready to pour out on them because of their sins."  Jeremiah 26:3

Generation after generation, the people of Jerusalem continued in their disobedience.  Rarely, one generation would get it right, like Josiah, but sadly one generation later it all began again.  The Lord gave Jeremiah messages for the kings of Judah, messages they were not happy at all to receive.  God wanted to give the people one more opportunity to change their ways and sent Jeremiah to the Temple to share his message with the people.  They were so upset with what he said that they tried to kill him.  They did not kill him, but they also did not heed his words.  In the end, this led to the end of the kings of Judah and the beginning of King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon's reign over them.  

My response to God:  Help me, Lord, to listen for your word from your messengers here on earth.  Let me not only hear them, but use what they have to say to make a positive difference in how I am serving you.  

His presence

Today's Readings: Zephaniah 2:8-15, 3:1-20; 2 Chronicles 35:20-27; 2 Kings 23:29-30; Jeremiah 47:1-7, 48:1-47

Highlighted Verses and my thoughts:
"But the Lord is still there in the city, and he does no wrong. Day by day he hands down justice, and he does not fail.  But the wicked know no shame." Zephaniah 3:5

"For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior.  He will take delight in you with gladness.  With his love, he will calm all your fears.  He will rejoice over you with joyful songs."  Zephaniah 3:17

Zephaniah prophesies about the rebellion and redemption of Jerusalem in these chapters.  Most of the writings tell of the judgement that will be given by the Lord to all of those who have been so disobedient to him.  However, the thing that stood out to me were these two verses.  They say that the Lord is still there with the people, living among them, even in their disobedience and rebellion.  Even in his promises of destruction and judgement, the Lord does not give up on his people.  He is still there, making himself available to the remnant who will trust in his name.

  
My response to God:  Dear Lord, thank you for not giving up on me, just as you did not give up on your faithful people in Jerusalem.  Make me lowly and humble, for they are the ones who trust in the name of the Lord.

Reform

Today's Readings: 2 Kings 23:1-26; 2 Chronicles 34:29-33, 35:1-19; Nahum 1:1-15, 2:1-13, 3:1-19

Highlighted Verses and my thoughts:

"And the king went up to the Temple of the Lord with all the people of Judah and Jerusalem, along with the priests and the prophets -- all the people from the least to the greatest.  There the king read to them the entire Book of the Covenant that had been found in the Lord's Temple.  The king took his place of authority beside the pillar and renewed the covenant in the Lord's presence.  He pledged to obey the Lord by keeping all his commands, laws, and decrees with all his heart and soul." 2 Kings 23:2-3a

King Josiah not only restored the Temple of the Lord, but he  made major reforms in the religious life of the people.  After he read the Book of the Covenant, he began making assignments to the priests to complete the cleansing of the Temple and other areas by destroying all the artifacts that remained from the time of idolatry.  He made the pledge, in front of all of the people, to obey the Lord with all his heart and soul.  One part that stood out to me was that it was all the people  from the least to the greatest.  King Josiah gave them all the opportunity to hear the commands of the Lord.

My response to God: Father, help me to be like King Josiah.  Help me to recognize when I see wrong going on around me and to step up to the plate and make the changes necessary to be obedient to you.  

Grace

Today's Readings: Jeremiah 5:20-31, 6:1-30; 2 Kings 22:3-20; 2 Chronicles 34:8-28

Highlighted Verses and my thoughts:

"But go to the king of Judah who sent you to seek the Lord and tell him: 'This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says concerning the message you have just heard: You were sorry and humbled yourself before the Lord when you heard what I said against this city and its people -- that this land would be cursed and become desolate. You tore your clothing in despair and wept before me in repentance. And I have indeed heard you, says the Lord.  So I will not send the promised disaster until after you have died and been buried in peace.  You will not see the disaster aI am going to bring on this city.'"  So they took her message back to the king." 2 Kings 22:18-20 and 2 Chronicles 34:26-28

During the restoration of the Temple, the high priest found The Book of the Law in the temple.  When it was read, King Josiah learned of the disobedience of his ancestors and that they had not been doing everything that was required by the book written by Moses.  He immediately tore his clothes in despair and sought after guidance from the prophet Huldah in Jerusalem.  Above was her response to him.  

This portion of the reading was prefaced by the Jeremiah verses, which described the rebellion of the people, their multiple warnings, continued rejection of the Lord's way, and warning of invasion and destruction that would come because of those decisions.  But, now we see that because of King Josiah's repentance and desire to make the necessary changes to follow what was written in the Book of the Law, the Lord gave him a second chance.  The disaster would not take place until after his death.

My response to God: Dear God, I give praises to you and am in awe of your mighty power.  Thank you for your grace and forgiveness.  Help me to stay in your will and keep myself open to your messages through your Word.  

Living water

Today's Readings: 2 Kings 21:1-26, 22:1-2; 2 Chronicles 33:1-25, 34:1-7; Jeremiah 1:1-19, 2:1-22

Highlighted Verses and my thoughts:

"The Lord spoke to Manasseh and his people, but they ignored all his warnings.  So the Lord sent the commanders of the Assyrian armies, and they took Manasseh prisoner.  They put a ring through his nose, bound him in bronze chains, and led him away to Babylon.  But while in deep distress, Manasseh sought the Lord his God and sincerely humbled himself before the God of his ancestors. And when he prayed, the Lord listened to him and was moved by his request.  So the Lord brought Manasseh back to Jerusalem and to his kingdom.  Then Manasseh finally realized that the Lord alone is God!" 2 Chronicles 33:10-13

How sad it must have been for God to see his people and their leaders, their kings that he had put in place, turn away from him.  Time after time, the Kings would do evil in the Lord's sight, building pagan shrines and the asherah poles and worshiping idols.  It must have been a joy for the Lord when Manasseh's father, King Hezekiah, finally destroyed the pagan shrines that had been constructed to worship Baal.  But, again, upon King Hezekiah's death, his son, Manasseh went back to the old ways and rebuilt the altars and shrines, even in the Temple of the Lord.  Through the prophets, the Lord continued to warn the people.  Finally, now, Manasseh finally turns and admits that he needs God.  Here God shows the grace that would later be available to all through his son, Jesus.  How much love must he have for us all to be there when we call on him, even after we ignore him and put other things before him in our lives.  

"For my people have done two evil things: They have abandoned me -- the fountain of living water. And they have dug for themselves cracked cisterns that can hold no water at all!" Jeremiah 2:13

How stupid can we be?  We are so much like the people of Israel.  Here the Lord was, the living water that is necessary for their eternal life and instead, they ignore it and try to survive with useless, broken, empty fake gods.  How many times do we do the same thing, but put ourselves and our own sinful desires in the place of the cisterns.

My response to God: All praises go to you, my God and my protector.  Open my eyes to recognize when I start leaning toward a broken cistern in my life.  Guide me away from it and back to take a drink of the living water that only comes from you.  

Answered prayers

Today's Readings: 2 Kings 20:1-19; Isaiah 38:1-22, 39:1-8, 2 Chronicles 32:24-31

Highlighted Verses and my thoughts:
"When Hezekiah heard this, he turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord, 'Remember, O Lord, how I have always been faithful to you and have served you single-mindedly, always doing what pleases you.' Then he broke down and wept bitterly." 2 Kings 20:2-3
"Then this message came to Isaiah from the Lord: 'Go back to Hezekiah and tell him, This is what the Lord, the God of your ancestor David, says: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears." Isaiah 38:4-5a
"Meanwhile, Hezekiah had said to Isaiah, 'What sign will the Lord give to prove that he will heal me and that I will go to the Temple of the Lord three days from now?'" 2 Kings 20:8
When I first read this passage, the word bitterly that described Hezekiah's tears led me to think that his attitude was not a good one and that he was angry with the Lord. Perhaps that was not the meaning intended in the scripture. Whatever the case, God heard his prayer, saw his tears, and answered with healing. I had to chuckle and Hezekiah's response, though. Aren't we so much like Hezekiah? The Lord sent word that he would be healed, but Hezekiah did not believe and needed proof. Had not the Lord just rescued Hezekiah and the people of Jerusalem from the Assyrians? But, he still asked for a sign of proof.

My response to God: Oh, God, do you chuckle at me like I chuckled at Hezekiah, or does it bring sadness to your heart when I doubt you after you have done so much in my life? Help me, Father, and strengthen my faith so that I am not surprised when you provide those answers to prayer.

Protector and defender

Today's Readings: 2 Kings 19:1-37, Isaiah 37:1-38, 2 Chronicles 32:9-23

Highlighted Verses and my thoughts:

"Then King Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz cried out in prayer to God in heaven.  And the Lord sent an angel who destroyed the Assyrian army with all its commanders and officers.  So Sennacherib was forced to return home in disgrace to his own land.  And when he entered the temple of his god, some of his own sons killed him there with a sword.  That is how the Lord rescued Hezekiah and the people of Jerusalem from King Sennacherib of Assyria and from all the others who threatened them.  So there was peace throughout the land. From then on King Hezekiah became highly respected among all the surrounding nations, and many gifts for the Lord arrived at Jerusalem, with valuable presents for King Hezekiah, too."  2 Chronicles 32:20-23

"For my own honor and for the sake of my servant David, I will defend this city and protect it."  2 Kings 19:34

The Assyrians were so sure of themselves after their history of destroying other nations.  They came to Jerusalem, mocking God, insulting Hezekiah and taunting the people.  Hezekiah sent word to Isaiah, as he himself prayed to the Lord for deliverance from the Assyrians threats. Isaiah sent back the word he had received from the Lord of Judah's deliverance.  The people were afraid, as the Assyrians were a strong and successful warriors.  But, Hezekiah went straight to the Lord, to the temple, and even spread out the scrolls from Assyria before the Lord.  We can all learn from Hezekiah...no matter how overwhelmed we are with the attacks of this world, we must go directly God and lay down our burdens at the foot of the cross.  For He will defend and protect us, just as he did the people of Judah.

My response to God: Oh, Lord, my protector and shield, I come to you now with my burdens, though they seem small in comparison to those of Hezekiah.  Help me to know that my burdens are just as relevant to you.  Keep me from the worry and feelings of despair that come when I keep them all to myself and not give them over to you, at the foot of the cross.

Waiting confidently

Today's Readings: Micah 6:1-16, 7:1-20; 2 Chronicles 32:1-8; 2 Kings 18:13-37; Isaiah 36:1-22

Highlighted Verses and my thoughts:
"No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God." Micah 6:8

"As for me, I look to the Lord for help. I wait confidently for God to save me, and my God will certainly hear me." Micah 7:7

"The Lord will bring me into the Light, and I will see his righteousness." Micah 7:9b

First, the prophet is telling the people what God is requiring of them - righteousness, mercy, and  humility while in the presence of the Lord.  Then he is telling them how he, personally, is responding to God and God's will in his life -- looking to God for help and trusting God to meet his needs.  Then he boldly states what God is going to do -- bring him into his presence.  Oh, if we all would just have this kind of faith and obedience to the Lord.

My response to God: Father God, how many times will it take for me to really get it.  You are right here waiting for me.  You are the one who has waited so patiently for me, when it is I who should be waiting confidently for you each time I need your help.  Let me feel your presence in such a way that I will not jump in and once again fail at trying to fix it myself.  Help me, Lord, to be bold and courageous.