S) "8 But they will become his slaves so that they may learn the difference between My service and the service of the kingdoms of the countries."
2 Chronicles 12:8 (NASB)
*because there are already entries for each of these chapters, I also read 2 Chronicles 12
*because there are already entries for each of these chapters, I also read 2 Chronicles 12
O) The is was God's response to Rehoboam, when they had forsaken the LORD and committed adultery with idols. They were under attack from Shishak, the king of Egypt, with a great alliance of armies. When it was told to the people, that this was a result of their sins, they did repent. However, the judgment of God was not completely changed. They weren't destroyed completely, but neither were they completely spared this oppression. What is very notable about this judgment of God, especially how it is worded, is that it harkens to the first judgment Rehoboam made as king. In 2 Chronicles 10, we see when Jeroboam came to the new king and asked for respite, he made matters much, much worse. Thus, his people learned that serving Rehoboam would be harder than serving Solomon, which actually sparked the civil war. In the same way, Rehoboam would learn that serving Egypt (and their gods) would be harder than serving the LORD, the God of his fathers.
A) Parenting is sometimes about judgment calls. Sometimes my kids want things their way, and I know that their way will lead to pain, or loss, or tears, or struggles, but I let them have their way as an object lesson. As a means to discipline them, I will let them see how their way is worse. Similarly, God my Father will treat me sometimes, I think. The Bible shows us over and over, that sometimes God chooses not to fight about it. He knows His ways lead to life, and our ways lead to death. Sometimes, He will let me feel the pain, or loss, or tears, or struggles that are the result of my sins. However, in those moments of consequence, I need to remember the purpose is for discipline. His purpose is to drive me to repentance and sanctification. This is a comfort, even in the face of scary consequences to my sins. It is all for His glory, all by His grace. He is a good God. Suffering consequences for my own sins doesn't change that.
A) Parenting is sometimes about judgment calls. Sometimes my kids want things their way, and I know that their way will lead to pain, or loss, or tears, or struggles, but I let them have their way as an object lesson. As a means to discipline them, I will let them see how their way is worse. Similarly, God my Father will treat me sometimes, I think. The Bible shows us over and over, that sometimes God chooses not to fight about it. He knows His ways lead to life, and our ways lead to death. Sometimes, He will let me feel the pain, or loss, or tears, or struggles that are the result of my sins. However, in those moments of consequence, I need to remember the purpose is for discipline. His purpose is to drive me to repentance and sanctification. This is a comfort, even in the face of scary consequences to my sins. It is all for His glory, all by His grace. He is a good God. Suffering consequences for my own sins doesn't change that.
P) Father, thank You for letting me hurt myself - just enough. Thank You for letting me feel consequences, when they will teach me to better listen to You. Thank You for being such a good Father to me, that I can always trust Your judgments. Thank You for not always letting me feel the consequences for my sins, but let that never be cause for me to repeat mistakes. Whatever it takes, Lord, I want to serve You better and better. I want to be more and more like Jesus Christ. I want to live more and more according to Your ways, which lead to life. So, I invite Your discipline, because You are the best Father. I invite Your discipline because it will produce good character in me. Let Your will be done. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.
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