Category: 1st and 2nd Chronicles-BibleTrekToday
Trek through 1st and 2nd Chronicles
God’s Amazing Plans
Scripture reading for May 22nd: 1st Chronicles 21-23, Acts 13
Key Scriptures: Acts 13:36-39 “For David, after he had served the purpose of God in his own generation, fell asleep and was laid with his fathers and saw corruption, but He (Jesus) whom God raised up did not see corruption. Let it be known to you therefore, brothers, that through this man forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, and by Him everyone who believes is freed from everything from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses.”
As Paul preached to the Jews in Antioch, he carefully led them through the history of God dealing with their ancestors and how King David had served Israel in his generation but had died and was buried. Now a Son of David, Jesus Christ, had been raised from death and now offers forgiveness of sins to all who will believe. King David actually bought the site of the temple as the place where Jesus Christ would offer Himself for the sins of the world.
1st Chronicles 22:1 “Then David said, “Here shall be the house of the Lord God and here the altar of burnt offering for Israel.”
Blessed by God’s Faithfulness
Scripture reading for May 21st: 1st Chronicles 17-20, Acts 12
Key Scriptures: Acts 12:6-8 “Now when Herod was about to bring him out, on that very night, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries before the door were guarding the prison. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood next to him, and a light shone in the cell. He struck peter on the side and woke him, saying, “Get up quickly.” And the chains fell off his hands. And the angel said to him, “Dress yourself and put on your sandals.”
God sent an angel to rescue Peter from execution by Herod. Peter was secured in the jail by being chained between two guards and others watched outside the cell. But none of this was a problem for the angel who rescued Peter. Peter though he was dreaming or seeing a vision, but to his astonishment, the doors opened and he was free! God blessed His servant with His faithfulness.
1st Chronicles 17:26-27 “And now, O Lord, You are God, and You have promised this good thing to Your servant. Now You have been pleased to bless the house of Your servant, that it may continue forever before You, for it is You, O Lord, who have blessed, and it is blessed forever.”
Prayer: Father, thank You for Your faithfulness to those who serve You. You are able to save and rescue and bless. Amen.
Rejoicing at God’s Works!
Scripture reading for May 18th: 1st Chronicles 14-16, Acts 11
Key Scriptures: Acts 11:21-24 “And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord. The report of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose, for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith.”
God granted the early church a harvest of souls from among the Gentiles. The Gospel had power to bring faith and repentance. Barnabas, a man full of the Holy Spirit, was sent to encourage these new believers in faithfulness and grace.
1st Chronicles 16:8-9 “Oh give thanks to the Lord, call upon His Name; make known His deeds among the peoples! Sing to Him, sing praise to Him; tell of all His wondrous works!”
Prayer: Lord, we thank You for the harvest of souls from Jew and Gentile! Your works are wonderful! Amen!
God is impartial!
Scripture reading for May 17th: 1st Chronicles 10-13, Acts 10
Key Scriptures: Acts 10:34-39 “So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears Him and does what is right is acceptable to Him. As for the word that He sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace through Jesus Christ(He is Lord of all), you yourselves know what happened throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism that John proclaimed: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.”
Peter preached Jesus Christ as Lord of all to Cornelius, the Roman Centurion and his family. God graciously saved them and filled them with the Holy Spirit. God shows no partiality to those who will surrender to Him! He makes them mighty warriors for Christ, the Son of God, Son of David.
1st Chronicles 12:38 “All these, men of war, arrayed in battle order, came to Hebron with a whole heart to make David king over all Israel.”
Chosen instruments!
Scripture reading for May 16th: 1st Chronicles 7-9, Acts 9
Key Scriptures: Acts 9:15-17 “But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine to carry My Name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of My Name.” So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain you sight and receive the Holy Spirit.”
Saul, the Pharisee of the tribe of Benjamin, was zealous for the law and set out to get rid of followers of Jesus. On the way to Damascus, Jesus appeared to him and he lost his physical sight. God sent Ananias to lay hands on Saul to receive back his sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit. Saul the Pharisee became Paul, Christ’s apostle!
1st Chronicles 8:40 “The sons of Ulam were men who were mighty warriors, bowmen, having many sons and grandsons, 150. All these were Benjaminites.”
Prayer: Lord, thank You for making me a ‘chosen instrument’ for Your purposes. Fill me with the Holy Spirit anew today. Amen.
Birthed through persecution!
Scripture reading for May 15th: 1st Chronicles 3-6, Acts 8
Key Scriptures: Acts 8:4-7 “Those who had been scattered preached the Word wherever they went. Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Christ there. When the crowds heard Philip and saw the miraculous signs he did, they all paid close attention to what he said. With shrieks, evil spirits came out of many, and many paralytics and cripples were healed. So there was great joy in that city.”
As the early church suffered Jesus’ promised persecution, the disciples were scattered. This was like spreading fire because they preached everywhere they went and proclaimed Jesus as the Christ. Jesus worked with them showing great signs and miracles. People were freed from pain as the church enlarged the kingdom!
1 Chronicles 4:10 “Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, “Oh, that You would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let Your hand be with m, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” And God granted his request.”
Prayer: Lord, use me to free people from the pain of sin and sickness through the Gospel and gifts of Your Spirit. Enlarge our territory! Amen.
Speaking Truth to Rebels!
Scripture reading for May 14th: 2nd Kings 24-25, 1st Chronicles 1-2, Acts 7
Key Scriptures: Acts 7:51-53 “”You stiff-necked people, with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You are just like your fathers: You always resist the Holy Spirit! Was there ever a prophet your fathers did not persecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered Him–you who have received the law that was put into effect through angels but have not obeyed it.””
Stephen, the new deacon, was taken before the Jewish council to be tried for preaching the Gospel. He carefully laid out Scriptures for them about their history of rebellion before confronting them with their own law-breaking in the death of Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. This was God’s act of mercy to His own people who rejected His Son.
2nd Kings 24:3 “Surely these things happened to Judah according to the Lord’s command, in order to remove them from His presence because of the sins of Manasseh and all he had done, including the shedding of innocent blood. For he had filled Jerusalem with innocent blood, and the Lord was not willing to forgive.”
Praise for our Cornerstone!
Scripture reading for May 4th: 2nd Chronicles 35-36, Ezra 1-3
Key Scriptures: Ezra 3:10-11 “When the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the Lord, the priests in their vestments and with trumpets, and the Levites (the sons of Asaph) with cymbals, took their places to praise the Lord, as prescribed by David, king of Israel. With praise and thanksgiving they sang to the Lord: “He is good; His love to Israel endures forever.” And all the people gave a great shout of praise to the Lord, because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid.”
Ezra and Zerubbabel organized the workers to rebuild the temple of the Lord at the decree of King Cyrus. They began the work in the second month of the second year of their arrival. The first stone laid was the cornerstone and then the rest of the foundation. When this was laid, the Levites and priests blew trumpets, crashed cymbals, and raised a great song of praise to God for His goodness and love!
Rejoice in our foundation: “For in Scripture it says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious Cornerstone, and the one who trusts in Him will never be put to shame.” Not to you who believe, this stone is precious. . .” (1st Peter 2:6-7)
Thankful God fights for us!
Scripture reading for May 3rd: 2nd Chronicles 31-34
Key Scriptures: 2nd Chronicles 32:7-8 “”Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria and the vast army with him, for there is a greater power with us than with him. With him is only the arm of flesh, but with us is the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles.” And the people gained confidence from what Hezekiah the king of Judah said.”
King Hezekiah was faithful to the Lord but Israel still came under attack by Sennacherib, king of Assyria. The king of Israel built up fortifications, made more weapons, and appointed military officers to positions. But it was not these preparations that would bring victory! King Hezekiah knew that the Lord was with them–the greatest power on earth! This gave him and the people confidence!
Thankful for God’s presence and power: “For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.” (2nd Corinthians 10:3-4)
Rejoicing in answered prayer!
Scripture reading for May 2nd: 2nd Chronicles 26-30
Key Scriptures: 2nd Chronicles 30: 25-27 “The entire assembly of Judah rejoiced, along with the priests and Levites and all who had assembled from Israel, including the aliens who had come from Israel and those who lived in Judah. There was great joy in Jerusalem, . . .The priests and Levites stood to bless the people, and God heard them, for their prayer reached heaven, His holy dwelling place.”
King Hezekiah had cleansed the temple and restored the Passover, celebrating it again in Jerusalem. The people consecrated themselves, seeking to return to the Lord and He returned to bless them! There was great joy and rejoicing in Jerusalem once again, because of God’s presence and favor!
Thankful for answered prayer: “But He gives us more Grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and He will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” (James 4:6-8)