Tag: prophetic warning
Be Strong! Don’t Give Up!
Scripture reading for April 26th: 2nd Chronicles 13-16
“Listen to me, Asa and all of Judah and Benjamin. The Lord is with you when you are with Him. If you seek Him, He will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will forsake you.” 2nd Chronicles 15:2
“But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.” 2nd Chronicles 15:7
God is good at warning and encouraging! King Asa started out right and did right in the eyes of the Lord. He proceeded to remove idols from the land and commanded God’s people to seek the Lord and obey His laws. He rebuilt the fortified cities and the land enjoyed peace under his godly rule. When an attack came from Zerah the Cushite, Asa called out to the Lord for help and God answered him. (2nd Chronicles 14:11) King Asa had a great victory and was walking close to the Lord.
God saw something inside of this king that He addressed. He encouraged Asa by the prophetic ministry of Azariah, son of Oded. He encouraged this victorious king to keep on seeking the Lord. He warned him and his followers that if they forsook the Lord, they would find themselves in trouble. He encouraged King Asa to be strong and not give up. God would reward him for his work. Prophesy is always to build up, not to tear down. (1st Corinthians 14:3)
Asa was humble and teachable at the time of this earlier word, but later Asa went on his own to Damascus and enlisted the Syrian King Ben-Hadad with monies from the temple treasuries. Again the Lord sent a prophet to warn and correct Asa. Hanani came to him and told him he had done a foolish thing and would now be at war. Asa became angry with the seer and imprisoned him. He got a disease in his feet, but refused to seek the Lord and only went to doctors. As a result, he died.
Thank God today for the prophetic word that seeks to warn and encourage us. Ask the Lord to teach you what you need to know and how to stay humble and able to obey. If you have a hard heart, open up to His amazing love and let this word encourage you. Be strong, do not give up, for your work will be rewarded! 2nd Chronicles 15:7
He passed away, to no one’s regret!
Scripture reading for April 29th: 2nd Chronicles 21-25
I have officiated at many funerals. Most have been fairly well attended and most have been for people who knew the Lord and had a Christian testimony. Sometimes there much crying and mourning because of the great loss of that person’s life. Sorrow is normal and mourning can go on for several months or more. Usually, if a person is a great leader or a person who has had public contact and great influence, the funeral is well attended and many kind words are said. I remember attending the funeral of a famous Christian musician and songwriter. The service was three hours long and the graveside service another half-hour! This man ended well and there were lots of people who were sad that he had departed. Of course, we all rejoiced that he was with the Lord for he had a strong Christian testimony.
In today’s reading, we have the story of King Jehoram. King Jehoram was a king of Judah who did evil in the Lord’s eyes. He married a daughter of the wicked King Ahab and Queen Jezebel. God raised up enemies who constantly caused trouble in Jehoram’s kingdom. Jehoram sought idols and built pagan shrines instead of seeking the Lord. The prophet Elijah sent him a letter that told him of his sins and the coming consequences. (2nd Chronicles 21:12-15) This letter warns of God striking Jehoram’s family and then the king himself with a wasting disease of the bowels. It appears that Jehoram was unresponsive to God’s warning.
God aroused the Philistines and Arabs, and they attacked Jerusalem and carried off all of Jehoram’s sons but the youngest. Jehoram was afflicted with the disease of the bowels and he died in great pain. There is no record that he sought the Lord or tried to find help from God. When this king died, there was no big funeral or celebration of remembrance. No one mourned or was sad to see this king leave this world. No one regretted his passing!
How are you living your life? What kind of legacy are you leaving behind in your community and family? What will people say about you and your life when you pass from the scene? More importantly, what will God say about your life? Will the only record be that you “did evil in the eyes of the Lord”? (2nd Chronicles 21:6) My prayer is that you hear “Well done, good and faithful servant!” (Matthew 25: 23)