Category: 1st and 2nd Chronicles-BibleTrekToday
Trek through 1st and 2nd Chronicles
Thankful for Godly Prophets!
Scripture reading for May 1st: 2nd Chronicles 22-25
Key Scriptures: 2nd Chronicles 24:20-21 “Then the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah son of Jehoiada the priest. He stood before the people and said, “This is what God says: ‘Why do you disobey the Lord’s commands? You will not prosper. Because you have forsaken the Lord, He has forsaken you'” But they plotted against him, and by order of the king they stoned him to death in the courtyard of the Lord’s temple.”
King Joash started out right. But after the godly priest who had helped him when he was young died, Joash listened to the idolatrous officials of Judah. God sent prophets to speak truth but this only angered the king and he had one of them stoned for speaking the truth! God’s love empowered these godly prophets, even if it cost them their lives.
Thankful for godly prophets: “Therefore I am sending you prophets and wise men and teachers. Some of them you will kill and crucify, others you will flog in your synagogues and pursue from town to town. And so upon you will come all the righteous blood that has been shed on earth from the blood of the righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah son of Berekiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar.” (Matthew 23:34-35)
Thankful the Battle is the Lord’s!
Scripture reading for April 28th: 2nd Chronicles 17-21
Key Scriptures: 2nd Chronicles 20:15, 17, “He said: “Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s. . . You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, O Judah and Jerusalem.'”
King Jehoshaphat was in a hard place militarily. He was outnumbered and did not know what to do, so he prayed to God and looked for His help. God answered with this prophetic word of victory and encouragement. The battle was not Israel’s to fight, but God would bring the victory as they stood in faith!
Rejoicing in God’s Victory: “But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” (1st Corinthians 15:57-58)
Thankful for God’s Eyes!
Scripture reading for April 27th: 2nd Chronicles 13-16
Key Scriptures: 2nd Chronicles 16:8-9 “Were not the Cushites and Libyans a mighty army with great numbers of chariots and horsemen? Yet when you relied on the Lord, He delivered them into your hand. For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him. You have done a foolish thing, and from now on you will be at war.”
God, in great love, sent a prophet to help King Asa see and understand his error of relying on a foreign king and army, instead of the Lord. Hopefully Asa would repent and walk with the Lord in victory. King Asa was not sold out in his heart to the Lord and fully committed to Him, so he became angry and put the prophet in prison! He soon lost his health and life!
Thankful that God sees all: “Nothing in all creation is hidden from His (God’s) sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.” (Hebrews 4:13)
Rejoicing in Christ!
Scripture reading for April 26th: 2nd Chronicles 8-12
Key Scriptures: 2nd Chronicles 9:5-8 “She (Queen of Sheba) said to the king, “The report I heard in my own country about your achievements and your wisdom is true. But I did not believe what they said until I came and saw with my own eyes. Indeed, not even half the greatness of your wisdom was told me; you have far exceeded the report I heard. How happy your men must be! How happy your officials, who continually stand before you and hear your wisdom. Praise be to the Lord your God, . . .”
The Queen of Sheba came to see King Solomon and enjoy his wisdom. She was overwhelmed at what she experienced! Not even the half had been told to her! She praised the God of Solomon who had blessed him with such wisdom and ability and gave him the throne!
Rejoicing in Jesus, our wisdom: “The Queen of the South (Sheba) will rise at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to listen to Solomon’s wisdom, and now One greater than Solomon is here.” (Matthew 12:42) “Namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” (Colossians 2:2-3)
Oh the Glory of His Presence!
Scripture reading for April 25th: 2nd Chronicles 4-7
Key Scriptures: 2nd Chronicles 5:13-14 “The trumpeters and singers joined in unison, as with one voice, to give praise and thanks to the Lord. Accompanied by trumpets, cymbals and other instruments, they raised their voices in praise to the Lord and sang: “He is good; His love endures forever.” Then the temple of the Lord was filled with a cloud, and the priests could not perform their service because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled the temple of the Lord.”
Solomon, King David’s son, dedicated the magnificent temple that was built according to God’s instructions. He built it in Jerusalem on Mt. Zion, the place God had chosen for His Name to dwell. As the singers and musicians played in unison, God’s glorious Presence came as a cloud and filled the temple with such glory and power that no one could move to perform their service!
Rejoice in God’s Presence: “The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14) “Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple and I will raise it again in three days.” . . . But the temple He had spoken of was His body.” (John 2:19-21)
Rejoice in cheerful giving!
Scripture reading for April 24th:1st Chronicles 28-29, 2nd Chronicles 1-3
Key Scriptures: 1st Chronicles 29:16-18 “O Lord our God, as for all this abundance that we have provided for building You a temple for Your Holy Name, it comes from Your hand, and all of it belongs to You. I know, my God, that You test the heart and are pleased with integrity. All these things have I given willingly and with honest intent. And now I have seen with joy how willingly Your people who are here have given to You. O Lord, God of our Fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Israel, keep this desire in the hearts of Your people forever, and keep their hearts loyal to You.”
King David had set an example of giving before the people of God and they responded with great generosity and joyful giving. David recognized that all that they gave came from God, the giver of every good gift! He prayed that God would keep this attitude of willing giving and loyalty in the hearts of His people!
Rejoicing in cheerful giving: “Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all you need, you will abound in every good work.” (2nd Corinthians 9:7-8)
Thankful for music in God’s House!
Scripture reading for April 21st: 1st Chronicles 23-27
Key Scriptures: 1st Chronicles 25:1, 6 “David, together with the commanders of the army, set apart some of the sons of Asaph, Heman and Jeduthun for the ministry of prophesying, accompanied by harps, lyres and cymbals. Here is a list of the men who performed this service: . . .All these men were under the supervision of their fathers for the music of the temple of the Lord, with cymbals, lyres and harps, for the ministry at the house of God.”
King David was a psalmist and made special provisions for prophesying and music in God’s house. He chose men who were skillful and trained to lead in the giving of praise and thanksgiving before the Lord in His house! Joyful music is proper for God’s trained priests!
Thankful for God’s music in our souls: “Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Ephesians 5:18-20)
Thankful for an Intercessor!
Scripture reading for April 20th: 1st Chronicles 18-22
Key Scriptures: 1st Chronicles 21:16-17 “David looked up and saw the angel of the Lord standing between heaven and earth, with a drawn sword in his hand extended over Jerusalem. Then David and the elders, clothed in sackcloth, fell face-down. David said to God, “Was it not I who ordered the fighting men to be counted? I am the one who has sinned and done wrong. These are but sheep. What have they done? O Lord my God, let Your hand fall upon me and my family, but do not let this plague remain on your people.”
King David had given place to Satan and called for a numbering of the people. God gave him three choices and David chose to fall under three days of God’s chastisement. As the angel of the Lord was standing ready to strike Jerusalem, David and the elders called out in repentance for God’s mercy. David interceded for the people and asked God to punish him and his family!
Rejoicing in our Intercessor: “During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, He offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the One who could save Him from death, and He was heard because of His reverent submission. Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from what He suffered, and, once made perfect, He became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey Him . . ” (Hebrews 5:7-9)
Rejoicing in Christ’s House!
Scripture reading for April 19th: 1st Chronicles 14-17
Key Scriptures: 1st Chronicles 17:10-13 “‘I declare to you that the Lord will build a house for you; When your days are over and you go to be with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, one of your own sons, and I will establish his kingdom. He is the one who will build a house for Me, and I will establish His throne forever. I will be His Father, and He will be My Son. I will never take My love away from Him. . .”
King David wanted to build a house for God. But God turned the tables and declared that He would build a house for him through One of his offspring that God would raise up. This One would be established on God’s throne forever! He would be “God’s Son” and God would be His Father!
Rejoice today in God’s House: “”But what about you?” He asked. “Who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by My Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My Church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.”” (Matthew 16:15-18)
Rejoicing in Mt. Zion!
Scripture reading for April 18th: 1 Chronicles 9-13
Key Scriptures: 1st Chronicles 11:4-5, 7-9 “David and all the Israelites marched to Jerusalem (that is, Jebus). The Jebusites who lived there said to David, “You will not get in here.” Nevertheless, David captured the fortress of Zion, the City of David. . . .David then took up residence in the fortress, and so it was called the City of David. . . .And David became more and more powerful, because the Lord Almighty was with him.”
Newly anointed King David led the Israelites to capture the city of Jebus. The Jebusites were adamant that David could not take the city, but God was with him and he conquered the city and set up residence there. It would be known as “Jerusalem”, also as “Zion”, and as the “City of David” along with several other names! From David’s line would come a Son of God, Jesus Christ, who would rule eternally on the throne of that “City of the Great King!”
Rejoice today in Zion: “But you have come to Mt. Zion, to the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the Living God. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, to the church of the Firstborn; whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the judge of all men, to the spirits of righteous men made perfect, to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant. . .” (Hebrews 12:22-24)