Category: 1st and 2nd Chronicles-BibleTrekToday
Trek through 1st and 2nd Chronicles
Repentance removes the veil!
Scripture reading for September 18th: 2nd Kings 21, 2nd Chronicles 33, Psalm 71, 2nd Corinthians 3
Key Scriptures: 2nd Corinthians 3:15-18 “Yes, to this day whenever Moses is read a veil lies over their hearts. But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord Who is Spirit.”
Paul explained that the Old Covenant Law came with a fading glory. Moses had to put a veil over his face so that the fading glory would not be visible to the Israelites. Their hearts were hard and the Law brought death. But now the New Covenant of eternal life through the Holy Spirit brings life and access for each believer into the Holy of Holies to behold Jesus. We have freedom to enter through the Spirit and Jesus’ blood covering our sins. The veil was torn from top to bottom when Jesus cried: “It is finished!” We are all being transformed by Jesus’ glory into His image by the Holy Spirit. Hallelujah!
Psalm 71:19 “Your righteousness, O God, reaches the high heavens. You Who have done great things, O God, Who is like You?”
Faith confession and prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for purchasing my freedom to enter Your presence and behold Your glory. Transform me today by the Holy Spirit into Your image. Let the glory increase to Your eternal glory!
2nd Chronicles 33:12-13 “And when he (Manasseh) was in distress, he entreated the favor of the Lord his God and he humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers. He prayed to Him and God was moved by his entreaty and heard his plea and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the Lord was God.”
That I might save some!
Scripture reading for September 4th: 2nd Kings 18-19, 2nd Chronicles 32, Psalm 67, 1st Corinthians 9
Key Scriptures: 1st Corinthians 9:19-22 “For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law that I might win those under the law. To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but being under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law. To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some.”
Paul carefully explained his heart of serving others who were different than himself. He identified with them in their unsaved state so as to be able to share with them the unsearchable riches of Jesus Christ that they might be saved. He had great freedom in Christ, but limited his own freedom to reach those lost in sin and cultural idolatry. Paul sought to imitate his Master, Jesus Christ, who came to seek and save the lost.
Psalm 67:1-2 “May God be gracious to us and bless us and make His Face to shine upon us, that Your way may be known on earth, Your saving power among all nations.”
Faith confession and prayer: Thank You Lord for the freedom from condemnation and judgment I experience in Jesus Christ. Help me to limit my liberty as You direct to reach those still in bondage and see them saved.
2nd Chronicles 32:8 “”. . . . .with him (the king of Assyria) is the an arm of flesh, but with us is the Lord our God, to help us and to fight our battles.” And the people took confidence from the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.”
Known by God!
Scripture reading for September 3rd: 2nd Chronicles 29-31, 1st Corinthians 8
Key Scriptures: 1st Corinthians 8:1-3 “Now concerning food offered to idols: we know that “all of us possess knowledge.” This “knowledge” puffs up, but love builds up. If anyone imagines that he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know. But if anyone loves God, he is known by God.”
Corinth was a pagan city with an idolatrous culture. Many idol temples worshiping various ‘gods’ were in the city and animal sacrifices were offered to appease these ‘gods.’ Christians knew that these idols were nothing and that eating meat from the sacrifices would not harm them. This knowledge made them proud–‘puffed up’, and lacking in love for those caught in this idolatry whom God loved and wanted to reach. They did not know enough about God’s love and their need to restrain their liberty to reach lost sinners. We should rather have God ‘know’ us because we love Him and the lost than to have religious “knowledge.”
Faith confession and prayer: Lord Jesus, fill me with a river of Your love through the indwelling Holy Spirit. Help me to love others caught in the idolatry of these times and reach them with Your love.
2nd Chronicles 30:8 “Do not now be stiff-necked as your fathers were, but yield yourselves to the Lord and come to His sanctuary, which He has consecrated forever, and serve the Lord your God, that His fierce anger may turn away from you.”
+
The appointed time is near!
Scripture reading for September 2nd: 2nd Chronicles 28, 2nd Kings 17, Psalm 66, 1st Corinthians 7
Key Scriptures: 1st Corinthians 7:29-31 “This is what I mean, brothers; the appointed time has grown very short. From now on, let those who have wives live as though they had none, and those who mourn as though they were not mourning, and those who rejoice as though they were not rejoicing, and those who buy as though they had no goods, and those who deal with the world as though they had no dealings with it. For the present form of this world is passing away.”
Paul was writing to the Corinthian church concerning the perilous times that they lived in. He believed the time was short to live for Christ on this earth and that eternity would soon be entered by all. In light of life’s shortness and eternity’s great length and advantage, believers should live with eternity in mind. They should not let relationships, emotions, or greed and attachment to the world’s goods take center stage. All these pass away when we stand before the Lord. Fulfilling God’s will is foremost!
Psalm 66:8-9 “Bless our God, O peoples; let the sound of His praise be heard, Who has kept our soul among the living and has not let our feet slip.”
Faith confession and prayer: Lord Jesus, help me today to live for eternity and proclaim Your great love and redemption through Jesus Christ. Thank You for reminding me again that the appointed time is near!
2nd Kings 17:38-39 ” . . . You shall not fear other gods, but you shall fear the Lord your God, and He will deliver you out of the hand of all your enemies.”
Greatness through serving!
Scripture reading for August 12th: Hosea 14, 2nd Chronicles 26-27, Psalm 61, Matthew 20
Key Scriptures: Matthew 20:25-28 “But Jesus called them to Him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.””
The mother of James and John came to Jesus and requested a special favor. She wanted them to sit on Jesus’ right and left when He came into His kingdom rule. In reply, Jesus asked them if they were able to drink the cup that He would drink? He further told them it was not His prerogative to grant this honor, but His Father. Greatness in God’s sight is being a servant, humble and obedient, even unto death. Jesus, Himself, is our example.
Psalm 61:4 “Let me dwell in Your tent forever! Let me take refuge under the shelter of Your wings!” Selah
Faith confession and prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for the promised reward for those who put their faith in You and seek Your presence and favor. Help me to serve You and others, pleasing to You and honoring You.
2nd Chronicles 26:4-5 “And he (Uzziah) did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, according to all that his father Amaziah had done. He set himself to seek God in the days of Zechariah, who instructed him in the fear of God, and as long as he sought the Lord, God made him prosper.”
“Stretch out your hand!”
Scripture reading for July 31st: 2nd Kings 13-14, 2nd Chronicles 25, Psalm 53, Matthew 12
Key Scriptures: Matthew 12:9-13 “He went on from there and entered their synagogue. And a man was there with a withered hand. And they asked Him, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?”–so that they might accuse Him. He said to them, “Which one of you who has a sheep, if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will not take hold of it and lift it out? Or how much more value is a man than a sheep! So it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.” Then He said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” and the man stretched it out, and it was restored, healthy like the other.”
Jesus was a Jew, raised under the Law of Moses, and taught to honor the Sabbath by doing no work. The religious leaders opposed Jesus because He had healed on the Sabbath. They asked Him directly about healing on the Sabbath and Jesus asked them a question concerning helping their animals in trouble on the Sabbath. He then applied the obvious truth to human beings, who were much more valuable than sheep. He demonstrated God’s mercy by restoring the man’s withered hand on the Sabbath.
Psalm 53:6 “Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion! When God restores the fortunes of His people, let Jacob rejoice, let Israel be glad!”
Faith confession and prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for Your ministry of restoring those who stretch out their hands to You! I stretch out my hands today with courage, asking for continued restoration in my life.
2nd Chronicles 25:8 “But go, act, be strong for the battle. Why should you suppose that God will cast you down before the enemy. For God has power to help or to cast down.””
Asking in Faith!
Scripture reading for July 28th: 2nd Chronicles 24, 2nd Kings 12, Psalm 50, Matthew 9
Key Scriptures: Matthew 9:27-30 “And as Jesus passed on from there, two blind men followed Him, crying aloud, “Have mercy on us, Son of David.” When He entered the house, the blind men came to Him, and Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” They said to Him, “Yes, Lord.” Then He touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith be it done to you.” And their eyes were opened. And Jesus sternly warned them, “See that no one knows about it.””
Jesus had just raised a dead girl to life and healed a woman who touched His garment of 12 years of hemorrhaging. As He moved on, two blind men followed crying out in faith to Jesus for their healing, using the divine title, ‘Son of David.’ Jesus asked them if they believed that He was able to do what they were asking and they replied in the affirmative. One touch from the Master Jesus and a Word brought instant healing! He sent them away warning them to tell no one!
Psalm 50:15 “. . . and call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will glorify Me.”
Faith confession and prayer: Lord Jesus, I believe that You can do all things and that I bring You glory when I call on You for help, healing, or deliverance. Help me to humbly ask for help as I labor restoring Your House.
2nd Chronicles 24:13 “So those who were engaged in the work labored, and the repairing went forward in their hands, and they restored the House of God to its proper condition and strengthened it.”
Faith in Authority!
Scripture reading for July 27th: 2nd Chronicles 22-23, 2nd Kings 11, Psalm 131, Matthew 8
Key Scriptures: Matthew 8:6-10 “”Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, suffering terribly.” And He said to him, “I will come and heal him.” But the centurion replied, “Lord, I am not worthy to have You come under my roof, but only say the Word, and my servant will be healed. For I too am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes, and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” When Jesus heard this, He marveled and said to those that followed Him, “Truly, I tell you, with no one in Israel have I found such faith.””
The Roman Centurion, a Gentile, understood delegated authority. He commanded one hundred men and they obeyed his every command. When he came to Jesus Christ, he recognized Jesus’ divine authority over sickness and asked Jesus to just speak the Word of command. Jesus marveled at this man’s great faith and honored that faith by healing his servant.
Psalm 131:3 “O Israel, hope in the Lord from this time forth and forevermore.”
Faith confession and prayer: Lord Jesus, You are the hope of Israel and of all mankind. I trust in Your Word and authority to speak with truth and power. Help me to walk in ‘great faith’ today.
2nd Chronicles 23:16 “And Jehoiada made a covenant between himself and all the people and the king that they should be the Lord’s people.”
The eye as your lamp!
Scripture reading for July 23rd: 2nd Kings 7-8, 2 Chronicles 21, Matthew 6
Key Scriptures: Matthew 6:21-24 “”For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness! No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and Money.””
Our eyes are amazing tools to use to navigate through this life. The eyes depend on light to bring them images of reality in the physical world. If our eyes are healthy, we can see clearly. If our eyes are faulty, our whole body will suffer in darkness. Jesus tied this to money and servitude. Money is a good servant, but a poor master. If we get our vision on serving money instead of serving God, our heart turns against God and our whole being goes into darkness. If we think we are in light but it is really darkness we are in deep trouble! Beware of deception if your eyes are focused on money.
Faith confession and prayer: Lord Jesus, You alone are my treasure here in this life and in Heaven for eternity. In Your mercy, reveal any darkness in my life and thinking.
2nd Chronicles 21:6 “And he (King Jehoram) walked in the way of the kings of Israel, as the house of Ahab had done, for the daughter of Ahab was his wife. And he did what was evil in the sight of the Lord.”
John’s Prophetic Word!
Scripture reading for July 20th: 2nd Chronicles 19-20, 2nd Kings 1, Psalm 20, Matthew 3
Key Scriptures: Matthew 3:11-12 “I baptize you with water for repentance, but He Who is coming after me is mightier than I, Whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in His hand, and He will clear His threshing floor and gather His wheat into the barn, but the chaff He will burn with unquenchable fire.”
John the Baptist, Jesus’ cousin, was called by God to a prophetic ministry in Israel similar to that of Elijah. John, dressed in camel’s hair with a leather belt, called all people to repentance in preparation for the coming Messiah. The repentance was acted out through water baptism by all who received his message. But John spoke of the One coming after him, Who would be greater than him. This One would baptized with the Holy Spirit and fire! He would gather His wheat into the barn but burn the chaff with unquenchable fire. The Messiah would be judge of all!
Psalm 20:6 “Now I know that the Lord saves His anointed; He will answer Him from His holy heaven with the saving might of His right hand.”
Faith confession and prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for the baptism of the Holy Spirit and fire. Purify my heart and life today and empower me to proclaim Jesus as Messiah and Lord.
1st Kings 1:8 “They answered him, “He wore a garment of hair, with a belt of leather about his waist.” And he said, “It is Elijah the Tishbite.””