Today's reading: 2 Kings 18, 19; 2 Chronicles 32; James 5
S) "7 'Be strong and courageous, do not fear or be dismayed because of the king of Assyria nor because of all the horde that is with him; for the one with us is greater than the one with him."
O) Hezekiah was distraught because of the armies of Assyria that had come against him. When this story is read from 2 Kings as well, we see some more of Hezekiah's private actions and attitudes during this struggle. But, in the passage from 2 Chronicles, we see his more public actions, encouraging his troops with the words above. Hezekiah was not without his flaws, but he was certainly counted as a righteous king. In the verse above we read that, despite his internalized fears, he was publically positive. This is not a matter of being fake, though. What he spoke to his people was all true. In all likelihood, his words encouraged himself, as well. As he began to address his army, he was no doubt reminded of the goodness of the LORD toward His faithful people. Privately, Hezekiah did the right thing. The king sought the LORD in prayer, and sought the aid of God's prophet (Isaiah, at this time) for confirmation of the will of God. Publically, he also did the right thing, speaking truth to those who needed the encouragement of truth.
A) Thinking of my family as a little, tiny, five-person kingdom, I remember that my place of leadership is that of service to my people. I am called to lead my family to follow the LORD. Sometimes, things in life get scary, they get uncertain. It's okay to acknowledge my impotence, as I am also seeking the One who can deliver me. If my inability to handle something, is what brings me closer to the LORD, then it is gain. Like Hezekiah, I must have trusted people in my life, to whom I can confess my fears and seek to join me in prayer. Primarily, this should always be my wife, at least. More publically, I must still speak the truth I know about who God is, and how He loves His children. When I am discussing things with my kids, especially, they probably don't need to hear about my doubts or the details of every hardship that life brings. They need to hear about God's faithfulness, power, and His will to reveal His glory, just like I also need to hear those reminders. So, I should speak them to both them and myself. This verse foreshadows the warning and promise Jesus Christ gave us, "These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33).
P) Father, You are strong beyond measure. You are wise beyond comparison. You are sovereign, and I submit my little, tiny, five-person kingdom to Your authority. You are the only help we have in times of trouble. You are our only deliverance from the tribulations that try to besiege us. But, I have hope and courage, because You are with us. Because Jesus Christ has overcome the world, and He is with us, then in this world I truly have nothing to fear. When life comes against me, to try and make me forget this, let me speak truth to help me remember. Let me speak truth to my wife, and my kids, and to myself. In every hard time, give me the discipline to seek You first, and alone, as my hope for deliverance. Be glorified in my life, by the way You provide, protect, and restore. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.
S) "7 'Be strong and courageous, do not fear or be dismayed because of the king of Assyria nor because of all the horde that is with him; for the one with us is greater than the one with him."
2 Chronicles 32:7 (NASB)
O) Hezekiah was distraught because of the armies of Assyria that had come against him. When this story is read from 2 Kings as well, we see some more of Hezekiah's private actions and attitudes during this struggle. But, in the passage from 2 Chronicles, we see his more public actions, encouraging his troops with the words above. Hezekiah was not without his flaws, but he was certainly counted as a righteous king. In the verse above we read that, despite his internalized fears, he was publically positive. This is not a matter of being fake, though. What he spoke to his people was all true. In all likelihood, his words encouraged himself, as well. As he began to address his army, he was no doubt reminded of the goodness of the LORD toward His faithful people. Privately, Hezekiah did the right thing. The king sought the LORD in prayer, and sought the aid of God's prophet (Isaiah, at this time) for confirmation of the will of God. Publically, he also did the right thing, speaking truth to those who needed the encouragement of truth.
A) Thinking of my family as a little, tiny, five-person kingdom, I remember that my place of leadership is that of service to my people. I am called to lead my family to follow the LORD. Sometimes, things in life get scary, they get uncertain. It's okay to acknowledge my impotence, as I am also seeking the One who can deliver me. If my inability to handle something, is what brings me closer to the LORD, then it is gain. Like Hezekiah, I must have trusted people in my life, to whom I can confess my fears and seek to join me in prayer. Primarily, this should always be my wife, at least. More publically, I must still speak the truth I know about who God is, and how He loves His children. When I am discussing things with my kids, especially, they probably don't need to hear about my doubts or the details of every hardship that life brings. They need to hear about God's faithfulness, power, and His will to reveal His glory, just like I also need to hear those reminders. So, I should speak them to both them and myself. This verse foreshadows the warning and promise Jesus Christ gave us, "These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33).
P) Father, You are strong beyond measure. You are wise beyond comparison. You are sovereign, and I submit my little, tiny, five-person kingdom to Your authority. You are the only help we have in times of trouble. You are our only deliverance from the tribulations that try to besiege us. But, I have hope and courage, because You are with us. Because Jesus Christ has overcome the world, and He is with us, then in this world I truly have nothing to fear. When life comes against me, to try and make me forget this, let me speak truth to help me remember. Let me speak truth to my wife, and my kids, and to myself. In every hard time, give me the discipline to seek You first, and alone, as my hope for deliverance. Be glorified in my life, by the way You provide, protect, and restore. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment