Category: 1st and 2nd Chronicles-BibleTrekToday
Trek through 1st and 2nd Chronicles
Gentiles worship and obey!
Scripture reading for July 17th: 1st Kings 22, 2nd Chronicles 18, Matthew 2
Key Scriptures: Matthew 2:8-12 “And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the Child, and when you have found Him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship Him.” After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house they saw the child with Mary His mother, and they fell down and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered Him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.”
Wise men, Gentiles from the East, followed a star to Israel in search of the King of the Jews. They went before King Herod, the Roman ruler, to inquire and they were directed by him to Bethlehem. He told them to let him know where this person was. The wise men followed the star to the house where Jesus was with His mother, Mary. They were overcome with worship and adoration and opened their treasures, honoring Him. But they left another way, being warned not to go back to Herod! God reveals Himself to all who truly seek Him!
Faith confession and prayer: Lord Jesus, I worship and honor You as King of Kings! Thank You for revealing Yourself to the Gentiles as well as the Jews, for You are Savior of all men!
1st Kings 22:14 “But Micaiah said, “As the Lord lives, what the Lord says to me, that I will speak.”
From Abraham to Joseph to The Christ
Scripture reading for July 16th: 1st Kings 19-21, 2nd Chronicles 17, Psalm 129, Matthew 1
Key Scriptures: Matthew 1:1, 7-8. 16-17 “The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. . . .and David was the father of Solomon by the wife of Uriah, and Solomon the father of Rehoboam, and Rehoboam the father of Abijah, and Abijah the father of Asaph, and Asaph the father of Jehoshaphat, and Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, . . .and Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called the Christ. So all the generations from Abraham to David were fourteen generations and from David to the deportation to Babylon fourteen generations, and from the deportation to Babylon to the Christ fourteen generations.”
The Gospel of Matthew begins with a genealogy tracing the line of Joseph all the way back to Abraham, the father of faith and the Jewish nation. Matthew was showing that the Christ had a lineage through Joseph to both King David and Abraham. He was a real man, but the Christ–Son of God. Joseph had been betrothed to Mary, a virgin. She had been found with child by the Holy Spirit. Joseph had been instructed to go ahead with the marriage and to name the child “Jesus” because He would save His people from their sins!
Psalm 129:5 “The Lord is righteous; He has cut the cords of the wicked.”
Faith confession and prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for the record of Jesus’ earthly lineage and how it fulfilled what You had written by the prophets. Help me to proclaim Jesus and His saving power today!
2nd Chronicles 17:3 “The Lord was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the earlier ways of his father David. . . .”
Sharing the faith!
Scripture reading for July 14th: 2nd Chronicles 15-16, 1st Kings 16, Philemon
Key Scriptures: Philemon 3-7 “Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God always when I remember you in my prayers, because I hear of your love and faith that you have toward the Lord Jesus and for all the saints, and I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ. For I have derived much joy and comfort from your love, my brother, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you.”
Paul wrote this short letter to a fellow-worker in the Gospel who had a church in his home. He commended Philemon for his love and faith and prayed that his sharing of his faith would result in full knowledge of all the blessings of Christ Jesus. Faith is like a muscle, that when exercised and shared grows stronger. God reveals Himself to us more and more as we possess what we already have. Paul had been comforted by the reports of the ministry of this brother and was filled with joy. Encouragement flows from Paul’s heart to this minister.
Faith confession and prayer: Lord, give me open doors today to share my faith in Jesus Christ with love to those You send. As I share my faith, open my mind to know fully every good thing that is mine in Your kingdom.
2nd Chronicles 15:1-2 “The Spirit of God came upon Azariah the son of Oded, and he went out to meet Asa and said to him, “Hear me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin: The Lord is with you while you are with Him. If you seek Him, He will be found by you, but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you.”
Heirs of Eternal Life!
Scripture reading for July 13th: 1st Kings 15, 2nd Chronicles 13-14, Titus 3
Key Scriptures: Titus 3:3-7 “For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to His own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, Whom He poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by His grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”
We all have a tainted history–sinners enslaved by our flesh and involved in acts of sin and rebellion against God. Jesus Christ was presented to us through the preaching of the Gospel and by grace we were able to see His goodness and kindness and respond through repentance and faith. This was all an act of mercy on Christ’s behalf, justifying us who were guilty and making us heirs with Him of eternal life! Amazing grace brought saving faith.
Faith confession and prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for Your amazing grace, goodness and kindness towards me, a rebellious sinner. I invite the Holy Spirit to continue Your regeneration of my heart, preparing me for eternal life. Jesus is Lord!
2nd Chronicles 13:12 “Behold, God is with us at our head, and His priests with their battle trumpets to sound the call to battle against you, O sons of Israel, do not fight against the Lord, the God of you fathers, for you cannot succeed.”
Amazing Grace!
Scripture reading for July 10th: 1st Kings 13-14, 2nd Chronicles 12, Psalm 47, Titus 2
Key Scriptures: Titus 2:11-14 “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession who are zealous for good works.”
Grace from God’s merciful heart appeared to all men in the form of a man, God’s Son, Jesus Christ. This grace, when received, teaches us to renounce all sins and worldly passion and to live holy lives in expectation of the return of Jesus, our ‘Blessed Hope!’ As we are waiting, we are to be joyfully focused on doing the good works Christ has prepared for us. This is amazing grace!
Psalm 47:7-8 “For God is the King of all the earth; sing praises with a psalm! God reigns over the nations; God sits on His holy throne.”
Faith confession and prayer: Thank You, Lord for Your amazing grace shown to us in Jesus Christ. I choose to live a holy life, doing the good works You prepared for me and expecting the ‘Blessed Hope!’
2nd Chronicles 12:6 “Then the princes of Israel and the king humbled themselves and said, “The Lord is righteous.”
Don’t deny God by your works!
Scripture reading for July 9th: 1st Kings 12, 2nd Chronicles 10-11, Titus 1
Key Scriptures: Titus 1:15-2:1 “To the pure, all things are pure, but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their minds and their consciences are defiled. The profess to know God, but they deny Him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good works. But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine.”
Paul instructed Titus, a young minister and another ‘son’ of Paul’s in the faith, about the various parties in the church. The ‘circumcision’ party was causing disruption by teaching false doctrine and causing disruption and division. Paul told Titus to silence them and rebuke them sharply. Their profession of Christ was a lie because their works were denying Jesus. Sound doctrine must be taught which produces good works. Salvation is by faith through grace, not through works of the flesh like circumcision.
Faith confession and prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for cleansing my conscience and mind and giving me the ability to discern good from evil. Order my works today to bring glory to You alone as I set my heart to seek You and Your will.
2nd Chronicles 11:16 “And those who had set their hearts to seek the Lord God of Israel came after them from all the tribes of Israel to Jerusalem to sacrifice to the Lord, the God of their fathers.”
1st Kings 12:28 “So the king (Jeroboam) took counsel and made two calves of gold. And he said to the people, “you have gone up to Jerusalem long enough. Behold your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt.”
The good fight!
Scripture reading for July 2nd: 1st Kings 10-11, 2nd Chronicles 9, 1st Timothy 6
Key Scriptures: 1st Timothy 6:9-13 “But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs. But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.”
Paul warned Timothy about one of the traps of the devil: the love of money. Jesus had taught that a disciple couldn’t serve two masters. The love of money was idolatry and had taken many away from the faith and caused much ruin and destruction. The man of God must flee from this trap and pursue God and His righteous character. He must lay hold of eternal life by living a sold-out and set-apart life .
1st Kings 11:4 “For when Solomon was old his wives turned away his heart after other gods, and his heart was not wholly true to the Lord his God, as was the heart of David his father.”
Faith confession and prayer: Lord Jesus, I submit to You alone as Lord and will pursue and take hold of eternal life by faith in Jesus Christ and His Word. Keep me safe from snares that will turn my heart away from You.
Do not be partial with Elders!
Scripture reading for July 1st: 1st Kings 9, 2nd Chronicles 8, 1st Timothy 5
Key Scriptures: 1st Timothy 5:17-21 “Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer deserves his wages.” Do not admit a charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses. As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear. In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of the elect angels I charge you to keep these rules without prejudging, doing nothing from partiality.”
Paul gave some simple instructions to Timothy concerning the treatment of elders in the Church. First, elders that ruled well were to be given ‘double honor’. Teaching and preaching were to be held in esteem and those laboring honorably were to receive proper compensation. However, if there was sin involing an elder, there must be two or three witness before considering the charge. If found true, public rebuke was required if there was no repentance. Both of these ‘rules’ were to be kept without partiality. All heaven is watching!
Faith confession and prayer: Lord, thank You for clear instructions for elders in Your Church. I have sought to keep these instructions without partiality. Help me to continue in sound teaching and preaching to honor You alone!
2nd Chronicles 8:15 “And they did not turn aside from what the king had commanded the priests and Levites concerning any matter and concerning the treasuries.”
Set the example as His Temple!
Scripture reading for June 30th: 2nd Chronicles 5-7, Psalm 121, 1st Timothy 4
Key Scriptures: 1st Timothy 4:12-16 “Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you. Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress. Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.”
Paul instructed Timothy about how to live as a pastor and lead a congregation as a younger leader. Setting an example by how you lived your life and conducted your ministry was one of the keys to success. The public reading of Scripture would help those who heard and the one who read to line up their lives with God’s Truth. The practice of what was read was imperative. Watchfulness of our personal conduct and our doctrine is a daily necessity. Perseverance in these simple principles would bring salvation success personally and in the congregation.
Faith confession and prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for Your example of proclaiming Scripture and living it out consistently. As Your temple, help me to set an example today and persist to the full salvation of all.
Psalm 121:8 “The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore.”
2nd Chronicles 7:16 “For now I have chosen and consecrated this house that My Name may be there forever. My eyes and my heart will be there for all time.”
The Great Mystery of Godliness!
Scripture reading for June 29th: 1st Kings 8, Psalm 30, 1st Timothy 3
Key Scriptures: 1st Timothy 3:14-16 “I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these things to you so that, if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth. Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness: He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory.”
Paul was writing to help Timothy understand how to behave in Christ’s “household”, the Church! The Church of Jesus Christ is likened to a building held up by a single pillar–the Truth of God’s Word and Son, Jesus Christ. God revealed the “mystery of godliness” by sending His own Son in human flesh. He vindicated Him by resurrection through the power of the Holy Spirit and the witness of the Spirit on Christ Jesus without limit. His Name is proclaimed among all nations and He is believed on in the world.
1st Kings 8:10 “And when the priests came out of the Holy Place, a cloud filled the house of the Lord, so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled the house of the Lord.”
Faith confession and prayer: Lord Jesus, You alone are the pillar and ground of Truth, the living Word of God. Help me to hold this mystery with worship and awe of Your unsurpassing glory and godliness.
Psalm 30:4 “Sing praises to the Lord, O you His saints, and give thanks to His holy Name.”