S) "14 For the Levites left their pasture lands and their property and came to Judah and Jerusalem, for Jeroboam and his sons had excluded them from serving as priests to the Lord. 15 He set up priests of his own for the high places, for the satyrs and for the calves which he had made. 16 Those from all the tribes of Israel who set their hearts on seeking the Lord God of Israel followed them to Jerusalem, to sacrifice to the Lord God of their fathers."
2 Chronicles 11:14-16 (NASB)
O) I wonder how quickly Rehoboam regretted his decision to side with his younger counselors (see 2 Chronicles 10). The resulting civil war wasn't just a political divide, but it quickly became a religious feud as well. In a stunning move (which bears its own study), the newly elected king of Israel, Jeroboam, acts quickly to establish golden calf idols for the freshly separated tribes to worship! So then, all of the faithful Levites found themselves suddenly unemployed, religiously persecuted, refugees; along with any other individuals who remained faithful to the LORD.
A) This is kind of a scary scenario, because it feels almost prophetic for our culture and world today. the majority of people, even in America, do not "set their hearts on seeking the LORD," and I wonder how far away the day is, that being faithful to the LORD will make us refugees. Am I prepared to leave my home, city, or even my country? I'd like to think I am, but it's difficult to know for sure, until I actually have to decide that. I pray I don't ever have to decide that, because those are perilous times (see Luke 21:36). However, there is a preparation, a testing, which I can (and should and will) put in place now, that will pretty plainly tell me what I'm willing to give up. That test, is in my evangelism. What's the primary reason I don't evangelize more? Fear of lost relationships. Now, it's worth clarifying, that I don't mean bullhorn-preaching. When I say I need to evangelize, I mean I need to be vocal, bold, honest, and forthright with my testimony and praise of the LORD God, who has saved me, changed me, freed me, and redeemed me. Avoiding "certain topics" because they are a little uncomfortable, is no way to prepare myself for the possibility of religious exile. It's time for me to hit the figurative pavement, before I have to hit the proverbial road.
P) Father, I pray again that I do not have to love in a country, where seeking You earnestly is treachery, but not my will be done, only Your will, God. I trust that You will continue to sustain me, through any and every opponent and obstacle. Like David, I pray that You strengthen my hands for battle, but not merely some temporal battle of flesh and blood. God, prepare me for every spiritual fight You have laid in my future. Prepare me to fight for my faith, and my family. Discipline me to be obedient now, when the Way is as easy as it will ever be. By Your will, open my eyes to see and ears to hear, so that I do not miss anything You have prepared for me. Let Your will be done. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.
A) This is kind of a scary scenario, because it feels almost prophetic for our culture and world today. the majority of people, even in America, do not "set their hearts on seeking the LORD," and I wonder how far away the day is, that being faithful to the LORD will make us refugees. Am I prepared to leave my home, city, or even my country? I'd like to think I am, but it's difficult to know for sure, until I actually have to decide that. I pray I don't ever have to decide that, because those are perilous times (see Luke 21:36). However, there is a preparation, a testing, which I can (and should and will) put in place now, that will pretty plainly tell me what I'm willing to give up. That test, is in my evangelism. What's the primary reason I don't evangelize more? Fear of lost relationships. Now, it's worth clarifying, that I don't mean bullhorn-preaching. When I say I need to evangelize, I mean I need to be vocal, bold, honest, and forthright with my testimony and praise of the LORD God, who has saved me, changed me, freed me, and redeemed me. Avoiding "certain topics" because they are a little uncomfortable, is no way to prepare myself for the possibility of religious exile. It's time for me to hit the figurative pavement, before I have to hit the proverbial road.
P) Father, I pray again that I do not have to love in a country, where seeking You earnestly is treachery, but not my will be done, only Your will, God. I trust that You will continue to sustain me, through any and every opponent and obstacle. Like David, I pray that You strengthen my hands for battle, but not merely some temporal battle of flesh and blood. God, prepare me for every spiritual fight You have laid in my future. Prepare me to fight for my faith, and my family. Discipline me to be obedient now, when the Way is as easy as it will ever be. By Your will, open my eyes to see and ears to hear, so that I do not miss anything You have prepared for me. Let Your will be done. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.
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