Paul mentions the word “ashamed” several times in 2 Timothy 1. He tells Timothy to not be ashamed of Jesus nor of himself (v. 8). In verse 12 he says he, Paul, is not ashamed. Lastly, in verse 16 he refers to Onesiphorus, commending him for not being ashamed of Paul’s chains.
Merriam-Webster defines the concept of being ashamed as “feeling shame, guilt or disgrace.” It also says if one is ashamed he is “reluctant or unwilling to do something because of shame or embarrassment.”
This begs the questions: why would Timothy be ashamed of Jesus? Why would Paul be ashamed of himself, or why would anyone else? And the better question is: why would WE?
I’m sure we have all been ashamed of something about ourselves or our lives. Something we have done has caused us shame or perhaps someone in our family has embarrassed us. This, quite simply, is so human of us. But, to be ashamed of what Jesus has done, of who he is? Why would we? The sad answer is, there is a reason why Paul mentions this in 2 Timothy. We all are capable of this. Can we admit that?
If we are honest with ourselves, there have likely been times where we don’t share the good news of Jesus with someone. There probably have been times when we just felt like it wasn’t the best environment to share it in or the best people to share it with. Maybe we have felt different and wanted to blend in with the crowd, so we didn’t outwardly show or voice who we were in Jesus. To acknowledge this reality hurts – but it is true.
Sometimes we need these truths, though. I’m grateful we have Paul’s words here to remind us that we should never ever be ashamed of God, His son, or the saving grace we’ve all been given.
Let us remember Romans 1:16 whenever we feel shame creeping in: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes…”
Reflection Questions:
Can you recall a time when you were ashamed of the gospel?
When you feel like you could be inching towards being ashamed, what can you tangibly do, in that moment, to conquer this tactic of the enemy?
Prayer:
God, thank you for your word, and how you spoke through your saints, like Paul, to warn us about hard truths that we may fall prey to. Help us to always remember to not be ashamed. Help us to remember to feel and act upon the very opposite: that you are unapologetically worthy of our adoration and praise, whether we are alone or with others. Amen.
You are probably asked countless times a day, “How are you?” And your answer probably varies between a polite “good” or “not too bad” to maybe a “tired” response. I know I have often replied with my share of “tired!”
Being tired – physically, mentally & emotionally. We’ve all been there! This can be a good thing, though. Being physically fatigued means you worked hard, that you achieved something. You put your able body to good use. Mentally fatigued? You used your brain, gave thought, produced. Emotional fatigue can be positive – it means you experienced emotions – it’s good to love, it’s normal to feel – we are human after all, created with all sorts of complexities.
While being tired can be good, it can also sway to the negative side if it’s in excess. Being overly tired can be taxing on us, affecting us negatively. Physical fatigue can wear us down if it’s habitual. We need rest & restoration because our bodies have limits. God created us that way, and has even designated a day for us to rest! We can get sick or hurt if we exceed our physical limits without taking time out. Mental fatigue can also affect us negatively if we don’t manage it well. If we don’t give our minds rest, it can impact our peace, and our thoughts can get out of control. Lastly, emotional fatigue, like mental fatigue, can wear us out. If we get too wrapped up and enmeshed in emotions, it can impact our overall health.
All that being said, feeling tired – physically, mentally & emotionally so – can be good or bad. Tired tells us ‘good job’ and then ‘rest up.’ However, being spiritually tired? That is never good. It is never healthy for us to be spiritually fatigued. Our spiritual strength should never run out, because it isn’t even our own – it’s God working through us. If we feel spiritually tired, it’s a sign for us to seek revival. To seek the true source of strength.
If we are spiritually tired, what can happen? Well, two pretty big things stand out:
-We can be caught unaware of the enemy and what he is doing. The enemy is always prowling, and we need to always be on alert.
-We can miss what God has for us. We can fail to see and respond to His leading in our lives.
We want to be aware of both our Father and of our enemy, for two very different reasons. If we are spiritually tired, our awareness can fall short, and we can become victims of either spiritual attack or missed blessings.
What really stood out to me in Psalm 85 is the concept of revival. This psalm speaks of revival from God throughout the entirety of it:
v. 4 “Restore us again, O God of our salvation…”
v. 6 “Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you?”
v. 8 “Let me hear what God the Lord will speak, for he will speak peace to his people…”
v. 12 “Yes, the Lord will give what is good, and our land will yield its increase.”
Revival, restoration, peace – whatever you recognize it as, seek it out. Constantly. As followers of Jesus, we must keep ourselves in check, look for signs of spiritual exhaustion. When we see hints of exhaustion, we need to:
-get into the Word. It is healing, life-giving and gives us the tools we need.
-pray. Boldly ask God for revival and a renewed spiritual life.
-seek out others to help us. Others can provide a path to revival and renewal, too. We grow in community, and our brothers & sisters in Christ can pour into our spiritual lives simply by their presence, and their prayers. We need each other.
Reflection Questions:
Have you recently experienced spiritual exhaustion? What were the signs? What did you do?
Are you connected with a solid, Bible-believing church? Are there people in the church you feel like you can rely on – to pray for you, mentor you, hold you accountable, pour into your life?
Prayer:
God, thank you for our physical bodies. Thank you that you have enabled our bodies to perform and labor, that our bodies are so miraculously built. Thank you for our brains. Thank you that we can think, reason and create. Thank you for our emotions. Thank you that we can feel joy, love – and even the harder emotions, because it means we can use them to rely on you. Thank you for all of these things – and thank you for providing ways for restoration. We ask that when we are spiritually tired that you help us to recognize this and to act. We thank you that we can talk to you and ask for renewal, that your Word is accessible to us, that there are people after your own heart to help renew us when we need it. Amen.
-Devotion by Rachel Cain (OH) – with questions sprinkled throughout
A few weeks ago my family gathered with friends to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the independence of the USA! The long and epic gathering began with a festive city parade, continued at a cookout replete with red and blue fruits, and culminated in a colorful explosion of fireworks.
The Israelites have their own sort of Independence Day known as Passover, which commemorates when they were freed from slavery under Pharoah and began their journey to the land of liberty that God had promised to give them. In today’s reading, Hezekiah wanted the scattered tribes of Israel to reunite for an overdue, epic Passover Celebration, but because the priests weren’t consecrated in time, they decided to hold the Passover a month late.
Better late than never! Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today. An ancient Chinese proverb states, “The best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago. The second best time is today.”
What is something that God has been nudging you to do for Him? Take steps to obey today!
Hezekiah invited all the separate tribes (who were divided by more than just location – this was likely a deep cultural and political rift) to come together to worship and remember God’s provision together. Some tribes ridiculed the couriers who delivered this invitation of repentance and celebration; however, a few groups set aside their differences, humbled themselves, and joined the party. Those in attendance were not all ritually clean, but Hezekiah prayed for God to honor the hearts of those who had come to honor Him. God responded with grace and accepted the people’s repentant hearts.
God looks deep into the intentions of our hearts. We see repeatedly in scripture that God wants people who are not just going through the motions, but who truly desire to live for Him.
How have you seen evidence in Scripture of God looking at the heart and motives over rituals? Are there any examples of this in your life or the lives of others?
In a culture that praises pride of all kinds and promotion of self even at the expense of others, it’s refreshing to read about divided nations humbling themselves to seek God as one body. One of my favorite Sundays of the year is when a local organization called Declare joins with area churches for a worship gathering in our town square. What a fantastic opportunity to commune with a variety of believers who, despite deep doctrinal differences, choose to meet together for the sole purpose of praising God and serving our city together.
God wants us to come together as one body for His Mission. We must set aside our disagreements so we can accomplish more together than we can apart!
In what ways might you be called to unite and serve with others on the common ground of Faith?
Hezekiah’s gathering turned out to be the most joyful Passover celebration in over 200 years! Even though they missed a few requirements of the law, God saw that His people were drawing near to him, and He appreciated their renewed commitment. Celebrating together reminded the people who they were – and WHOSE they were. They remembered their true identity.
In this world of confusion and mistaken identities, don’t forget who (and Whose) you are.What steps can you take to get back to the root of your true identity as a new creation in Christ?(Read the Bible, join a small group, engage in prayer, seek wise and godly counsel, worship and seek God with like-minded believers, cut off distractions so you can focus more on God’s purpose for you…. Those are just a few ideas!).
While we’re on the topic of Passover… I want to encourage you to experience it for yourself sometime! There is so much rich significance in all the little details of a Passover seder. Our family has celebrated Passover at a basic level for several years, but earlier this year we learned a powerful part of the Passover that we had never practiced before (and which was likely practiced at Hezekiah’s Passover), called the Dayenu. The closest translation in English that we have to the meaning of the Hebrew word dayenu is, “it would have been enough.” The original dayenu has statements representing the 15 gifts God bestowed to the Israelites; the first five mention emancipation from slavery in Egypt, the next five describe some of the miraculous ways God provided for His people, and the last five share about the closeness to God among His people. Each of the stanzas is followed by the people stating, “Dayenu” (it would have been enough). I encourage you to look up the phrases recited/sung during the traditional Dayenu. What phrases would you add onto the original dayenu to represent God’s provision throughout history and in your own life?
God has given us blessing after blessing, but even if he didn’t… what He has already done for us would be enough. Many of us tend to be so drawn to the things of this world, always wanting more and more, never fully satisfied nor willing to express, “it would have been enough”. But God has called us to a deep contentment and joy that is counter-cultural… almost as if we are citizens not of this world, but of a coming Kingdom (see Philippians 3:17-21). In his book Uncluttered Faith, Joshua Becker writes, “Once you become content with the things of the world that you possess, you are freed to pursue the kingdom of God. Contentment isn’t about settling. It’s about recognizing that you have enough, that it came from God, and that there are greater things to pursue than more of this world. Correctly understood, it’s acknowledgement that while you have enough, you also have so much potential in the kingdom that’s waiting to be unlocked” (p. 175).
Write down specific ways that God might be calling you to eschew the materialism and negative mindsets that are so abundant in this culture so you can focus your time, talents, and treasures on what truly matters – the work of advancing His kingdom in unity with one another.
Prayer
I leave you with the Priestly Blessing that was most likely spoken at Hezekiah’s Passover and is still a prayer for us all:
The LORD bless you and keep you;
the LORD make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you;
the LORD lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace.
2 Thessalonians 1:3 – “We ought always to thank God for you, brothers, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love every one of you has for each other is increasing.”
The summer between my second and third grade, my family moved from Michigan to Arizona. I left behind my first best friend, Jenny. We promised each other that we would write to each other frequently so that our friendship could continue even though we were 1900 miles apart. And that’s exactly what we did. All throughout elementary school, junior high, and high school we wrote back and forth sharing the excitements and disappointments of growing up. And while the time between the letters increased as we got older, we managed to stay in touch through college. There were some years even in our early adulthood that we exchanged Christmas cards.
When was the last time that you either sent or received an actual, personalized letter from someone near and dear? What information was exchanged? How did it make you feel? How do you imagine it made the other person feel?
As part of today’s Scripture reading, we begin a second letter from Paul to the church in Thessalonica. His purpose for this follow up is to encourage the believers to continue to persevere in their faith, to correct misunderstandings that had begun to make their way into the teachings, and provide some discipline for those who were not being productive.
It’s the third verse that captured my attention as I read this chapter. How often, in our communication, whether it be written or face-to-face, do we extend the message, “I see how your faith is growing” or “I am so thankful for you” or “I have been bragging about you to others” (see verse four).
Admittedly, I am not good at this sort of talk, especially face-to-face, particularly on Sunday mornings. I am much more comfortable staying on topics that are related to the business of the church, or how the previous week went, and how I am anticipating the events of the upcoming week.
But I think that I should take a note from Paul and start noticing and sharing how I see my friends living out their faith actively. Because even in a church community that stays active and engaged, it can be easy to slip into the feelings of isolation. And I shouldn’t let my awkwardness and insecurities prevent me from telling people that I care about that I see them and their efforts in living like Jesus would want them to and to support them when they might be struggling with something.
I sometimes wonder if Paul had any inclination that the words that he penned 2000 years ago to a specific group of believers would continue to have impact on Christian brothers and sisters centuries later on the other side of the world? But if his words of encouragement and teaching are able to keep us anchored in our faith, how much more would something that we said to another today make a difference?
Dear brothers and sisters,
I am so glad that we are striving together as one for the faith of the gospel. Seeing you dig deep when life throws you curveballs encourages me to stay the course in my own faith journey. I am so grateful to God that our paths have crossed and to know that I am not in this alone. To Him, be all glory and honor and praise!
Your friend in the faith,
-bethany
REflection Questions
Who are Christian brothers and sisters you thank God for? Have you let them know?
Whose Christian perseverance do you see that inspires you to keep the faith? Have you told them? (Perhaps if a person you have thought of is currently asleep/dead, there is still someone currently living who would love to hear the impact their loved one had on you.)
Besides the encouragement and thanks found in verses 3 & 4, what else found in the rest of this chapter does Paul want his brothers and sisters in Thessalonica to know and remember? How often do you share this with others? Who do you know who could benefit from hearing this information or reminders this week? Will you tell them?
Prayer
Dear God, I thank You for being the Father with a Big Plan which includes the blessings of a church family today and the promise of an incomparable Coming Kingdom when Your Son returns. Thank You for all those who have taught me and encouraged me and helped be to grow my faith in You. Help me to be grateful and a wise motivator and encouragement to others.
1 Thessalonians 5:5 – “You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness.”
School mascots are one of the unifying elements of building culture and community on a campus. As a student and an educator I’ve been associated with more than just a few. I’ve been a: Koala, Hawk, Tiger, Charger, Thunderbird, Wildcat, Lumberjack, Coyote, Cougar, Prospector, and another Cougar and finally, a Spartan. Upon graduating from high school, I received, along with my diploma, a “Once a Charger, Always a Charger” card – which was a game pass for any home game that I wanted to attend as an alumni. At all of these schools, I wasn’t just a student or a teacher on that campus, but I was a (fill in the name of the mascot here). Whether I was on campus, traveling with a school group, or even associating with friends from a different school, I represented my school with the attributes of what our mascot symbolized.
In today’s New Testament reading from 1 Thessalonians, Paul is providing encouragement to the believers in Thessalonica about waiting for Jesus’ return. As we wait for our Lord’s glorious return, we should do so in a manner that embodies who we are in his name.
As children of the Light and children of the Day, we are to live righteously, in peace with others, being generous with our resources, standing firm in our faith, and remaining on alert and self-controlled.
A favorite childhood chorus, “This Little Light of Mine”, is a declaration that the Light lives in us – it’s not just something that we possess, but it’s part of who we are. And because of this truth, we cannot help but shine the Lord’s Light everywhere we go.
This Light influences how we interact with each person with whom we cross paths.
This Light directs the short-term and long-term decisions we make.
This Light prompts us to persevere through trials.
This Light guides us towards godliness.
This Light counsels us when we’re confused and corrects us when we veer off course.
This Light spurs us to spread the gospel of the Kingdom of God.
As you go about your day, consider how you can best illuminate the space you’re in with the Light that comes from our Lord.
Reflection Questions
Who have you witnessed shining as a child of the light? What was helpful, beautiful and appealing about that light?
Do you see yourself as a child of the light? How do you shine? Are there any spaces that you occupy, or people you come in contact with, that you do not currently shine as bright?
“As you go about your day, consider how you can best illuminate the space you’re in with the Light that comes from our Lord.”
Prayer
Dear Father – I thank You for Your light which shines through Your Son and all Your children. Show us what belongs to the night/darkness and what comes from You. Help us shine every day and in every situation we are in so that others may see more clearly You and Your way that leads to life.
1 Thessalonians 4:1 – “Finally, brothers, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more.”
NASA has recently made some exciting progress towards the goal of establishing a livable station on the Moon’s surface. Just imagine, in a few short years, we’ll have humans living and working on the Moon. And it’s quite possible that if NASA and its global partners keep their projected timeline, we’ll be sending astronauts to Mars within a decade from now.
The required preparation for such feats is staggering. Transporting humans is only one piece of the puzzle. Determining how to have a sustainable existence in space is another. Why? Because space, for all its glory and wonder, is NOT where humans were meant to exist. It’s not our natural habitat. Learning how to support living beings where the necessary resources of oxygen and water do not exist requires scientific ingenuity at its finest.
Prior to any space mission, astronauts undergo years of training to prepare for their journey. They are not only given the tools but lessons, and practice, and feedback in order to go and do what a space agency is asking them to do.
Like an astronaut living in space is not normal…being a Christian in today’s culture is not normal.
We, as children of God, are living in a world that is not our natural habitat. We were created to live in existence with God. But because of sin, we’re relegated to living in a broken world.
Upon our declaration of faith, we receive God’s Spirit in order to live in this broken world according to His will and plans. And like the astronauts who receive training, we also need lessons on how to live like God intends for us.
In his letter to the believers of the Thessalonican church, Paul writes to encourage them to live a life pleasing to God. They (and we) are reminded to abstain from what is culturally “normal”; to live a holy lifestyle that honors God.
So what does that look like for us? Scripture tells us plainly:
“Love the Lord your God with all of your heart, and with all of your soul, and with all of your mind, and with all of your strength…love your neighbor as yourself.” (Mark 12:30-31)
“He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” (Micah 6:8)
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:33)
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:19-20)
“Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
If you have a chance this evening, go out and look at the stars. And while you’re gazing at the night sky, give thanks to God for giving you His Spirit in order that you are able to live in such a way that honors Him.
Reflection Questions:
Like a human living in space, what parts of life in this present world is supposed to be foreign or unlivable to a Christian? How instead is a Christian to live?
The Thessalonians were living in a way that was pleasing to God but Paul told them to do it more and more. Should we be content with a little holiness or pleasing God? In what ways are you working at pleasing God and what would it look like to do so more and more?
Since living to please God is not this world’s normal behavior or goal, what instruction and training have you received to be a successful alien here living as God desires? And from whom? What additional and repeated training would be helpful this week? To whom can you offer some on earth alien training to and how would you go about it?
Prayer
Dear God – I thank You for providing all we truly need to live in this broken world as Christians. Thank You for the instruction given in Your perfect Word, Your Son who shows the way, Your Spirit which guides, and our Christian brother and sister aliens. Help me to live in a way that is pleasing to You Father, more and more. We are so looking forward to life with You in Your coming Kingdom. Help me be prepared and help me prepare others for eternal life with You.
Jehoshaphat narrowly escaped being taking out for his mistake in aligning himself with the most evil king in Israel’s history, going to war with him against the LORD’S advice. Upon return home, he’s met with the words of the LORD through Jehu who says,
“Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the Lord and so bring wrath on yourself from the Lord? 3 But there is some good in you, for you have removed the Asheroth from the land and you have set your heart to seek God.” (2 Chr 19:3).
This says a lot. Yes, Jehoshaphat did much good in the eyes of the Lord, but he made a grave mistake. After his return and listening to the words of the LORD, it seems he learns from his mistakes and gets back on track, following the path of righteousness. He appoints judges in all the fortified cities of Judah to consider carefully how they judge, as they are being judge for God, “for the Lord our God will have no part in unrighteousness or partiality or the taking of a bribe.” (2 Chron 19:7). We find this bit of wisdom in the New Covenant too.
They’re also told to warn their brother if a dispute comes between brother or sister, so that they may not be guilty, and the wrath of God will not come on either of them. This sounds like the wisdom we find in Matthew 18.
Jehoshaphat is prepared for the next battle, as he seeks God and his wisdom about what to do. He declares a fast and humbles himself before God, declaring that he is afraid, powerless, and doesn’t know what to do, but his eyes are on God. He praises God for being above all, almighty and powerful. He remembers what God has done for his fathers and reminds him of his promises to them.
God in turn tells the people not to be afraid, for the battle belongs to him. They get to stand on the sidelines and see the salvation of the LORD put to work on their behalf. So the king worships God with all the people, then instructs his people to put their trust in God to be established and to succeed. He sends the singers out to battle first. When they begin singing, the LORD God goes to work. It’s a miraculous tale. When the battle is won, the people bless the LORD and he gives them peace…
……until Jehoshaphat goes and makes the same mistake again. He aligns himself with the next evil king of Israel and his plans are thwarted. If only Jehoshaphat would have listened to God until the end of his race.
There’s so much going on here that we can apply to our lives. For one, set your heart to seek God and do what he says. Don’t align yourself with evil doers. If you do, repent, humble yourself, cry out to God in your distress. Seek God’s admonishment for your own good. Sing praises to him for all his goodness. Bless him. Watch him work.
Jehoshaphat is on the list of “good kings,” or “mostly good kings.” Oh, that we would be on the list of good people in the eyes of our God until the end of our race. Thank God that we can through our Lord Jesus.
The Thessalonians are on Paul’s “good” list. He writes so passionately to them. He couldn’t bear the thought that they may have been deceived by those who don’t want them to know Christ, or through thinking that they may have lost heart after seeing him suffer for Christ (as they too will have to suffer for Christ).
He can rejoice though after sending Timothy to them, to know that their faith is strong, and their love abounds, despite the battles they’ve faced on behalf of preaching the gospel of the Kingdom of God for Christ. Now that Paul has heard their good report, he can really live.
Imagine that being our attitude towards brothers and sisters we’ve preached to, or someone you know who’s changed her mind and decided to live for Christ. This is exactly who we are supposed to be in Christ. Having this attitude because you’ve gained souls for Christ will establish your heart blameless before God at the coming of our Lord Jesus the Christ.
QUESTIONS
1. What are ways you can humble yourself before the LORD when facing an impossible battle, like Jehoshaphat?
2. Do you see any other wisdom from God that he reiterates from the Old Testament into the New Testament?
3. Do you “really live” after hearing a good report about your brothers and sisters in Christ you’ve witnessed to? What a beautiful attitude to have.
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father – I thank You for Your wisdom, power and love and for revealing Yourself and Your way to us through Your Word. Like Jehoshaphat, help me to seek You, not align with evil, humble myself, know the power of singing praise, and turn my eyes on You, especially when I don’t know what to do. May I learn from my mistakes, and show others the good way that leads to life eternal, made possible by Your precious Son Jesus. In his name I pray, Amen.
2 Chronicles 15:2 – The Lord God is with you when you are with him. If you seek him, he will let you find him.
Beautiful.
But if you forsake him, he will forsake you.
Scary.
What does that mean?
I tend to push the narrative of God being our loving father, disciplining us as we need correction and direction, but I don’t often talk about verses like this, wherein it is said of him, “…but if you forsake him, he will forsake you.” (2 Chron 15:2), nor “…for God troubled them with every kind of distress” (2 Chron. 15:6). I don’t enjoy thinking of my God like this, but we need to understand why this may be said of him, and be ready with an answer for our hope whenever asked.
It all boils down to becoming a person like Jesus, who doesn’t want harm to come to anyone, I think. But we cannot live in a world wherein lawlessness reigns. If you forsake God, you’re not going to be a person who desires to do God’s will for the good of others. This line of thinking and behaving will result in a nation like that in the time of Noah over time. In the end, who would enter the kingdom wherein there will be no more death, crying, mourning, or pain?
We need God’s teaching and law (New Covenant law). We need to seek God for that (he put it all in Jesus). For now, I don’t think God renders much judgement towards the nations, as he’s waiting for all who will repent, to repent (2 Peter 3:9). But he will, through Jesus in the end. He will not leave the guilty unpunished. Perhaps we can win some over beforehand, such as is our job under Christ.
In Asa’s time, he did well to heed the wisdom of God coming through the priest Azariah and acted accordingly. The result was that many from Israel, the split kingdom, defected to Asa’s kingdom. The people celebrated God and his laws and his goodness with sacrifice. They even entered a covenant with God, to do what the LORD had spoken to seek the LORD with their heart and soul.
Anyone who did not would be put to death (!!!). But for those who sought him earnestly, he let them find him. And they did it with joy because they understood the goodness of God. Then God gave them peace.
Of course, Asa eventually forsook God.
Aren’t you glad that we don’t live in a time like Asa’s, even though he was generally regarded as a “good” king? It is so good to realize how good we’ve got it under our Lord Jesus. For all the “good” kings of Israel/Judah, none can even come close to what we have in Jesus. It is good to honor him for all he’s done for us like Paul does with many of his writings to the churches of Jesus.
His opening statements are almost always letters abounding in love for the brothers and sisters in Christ. I enjoy reading about what an apostle of God did in the early church years through these letters. I think we can all learn a little from them when it comes to interacting with members of the body of Christ today.
To the newly formed church in Thessalonica, Paul writes about his love for them, but also encourages them to keep the faith.
The Thessalonians became imitators of Paul, Salvanus, and Timothy because of their tribulation upon hearing the word of the Lord. But they had joy of the holy spirit despite circumstances. They became an example of faith to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaiai because they preached the good news of Christ.
Their deeds were made known to Paul, how they had turned from idols to serve the living and true God, how they waited upon Jesus, whom God raised from the dead, who rescues us from the wrath to come (the wrath being whatever happens to those in the end who did not want to conform to the image of Christ).
They sound a little like Asa to me. Oh that they, and we, would be the people who desire to keep covenant with God joyously, ongoing, to the end of our race, for the good of others. Oh that God may shine his face upon us because of his beloved son, the son of Man Jesus, who directs us to put our hope in God. Praise God for his eyes that “move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His.” (2 Chron. 16:9).
QUESTIONS:
1. Asa was king who had not been brought up to know the LORD God, nor serve him. Yet, he is listed among the “good” kings of Israel (Judah). Why do you think Asa chose to listen to the words of the LORD in the first place? I think it’s because there was much distress in all the lands. Sometimes, it is in the most hopeless times that people decide to turn to God. What do you think?
2. Because Asa eventually relied on another for help instead of turning to God in his distress, his peace ended. He became a foolish man in his last days instead of turning to God. Why do you think Asa chose not to seek God after hearing admonishment from the LORD?
3. Did you know that you too are beloved of God and his choice?
PRAYER
Dear Lord God, You are the One true God and the One that I seek. Help me to seek You and follow Your ways all the days of my life. Forgive me for the times I am distracted from following You whole-heartedly. Thank you for the gift of Jesus, the perfect king in submission to You who shows us how to love You and others. Help me to show others the goodness of seeking and following You.
To the creator of the universe, our father God, for all his goodness, mercy, and stead-fast love—to what can we give him? Solomon chooses to honor his father David’s wish to give him a house. When he finished building God’s house, he prayed, asking God for help in various trials, come what may. God responds with fire and his glory filling presence. The people respond with reverence, thanksgiving, and sacrifice.
But God didn’t just celebrate this special time when he was given a house. When Solomon was finished with all he had planned for God’s house and the King’s house, God gave him instructions with warnings in a dream:
2 Chronicles 7:13 – 22
13 If I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or if I command the locust to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among My people, 14 and My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 15 Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to the prayer offered in this place. 16 For now I have chosen and consecrated this house that My name may be there forever, and My eyes and My heart will be there perpetually. 17 As for you, if you walk before Me as your father David walked, even to do according to all that I have commanded you, and will keep My statutes and My ordinances, 18 then I will establish your royal throne as I covenanted with your father David, saying, ‘You shall not lack a man to be ruler in Israel.’
19 “But if you turn away and forsake My statutes and My commandments which I have set before you, and go and serve other gods and worship them, 20 then I will uproot you from My land which I have given you, and this house which I have consecrated for My name I will cast out of My sight and I will make it a proverb and a byword among all peoples. 21 As for this house, which was exalted, everyone who passes by it will be astonished and say, ‘Why has the Lord done thus to this land and to this house?’ 22 And they will say, ‘Because they forsook the Lord, the God of their fathers who brought them from the land of Egypt, and they adopted other gods and worshiped them and served them; therefore He has brought all this adversity on them.’”
We know from history that Israel did turn away. They were uprooted from the land and the house, and carried away into exile for a time.
As I read through Psalms 78, I am reminded of a similar account years earlier between God and his people Israel after leading them out of Egypt to serve him in the desert on their way to the promised land.
I am reminded of the ongoing story of humanity, wherein our father God gives his children everything, so long as they seek him for his judgement about what they should do, lest they go their own way and it turns out unwell for them.
Again and again he gives them wisdom about how to live well, and how to avoid the hurt that so easily comes when we choose our own way, which is sin. Sometimes the wisdom comes in blessings and cursing, or in instructions and warnings.
In Masseh and Meribah it came in as a test to see if they would trust in him for their salvation. Though he gave them bread from heaven, water from a rock, and meat just waiting to be caught, they still chose their own will, seeking their own wisdom about what was right for them to do to live well. In turn they tested God.
How often God restrained himself from giving the people what they deserved. How often he continued in his steadfast love towards them, taking care of them and being faithful to those who continued to seek him.
His name does still remain in Israel forever (the blessing of the name given to Joseph’s son, Ephraim). His Kingly Messiah line does carry on through Solomon (the blessing given to Judah, then David), though he did not heed God’s warning.
Though he continued to give out grace, God knows that unless someone dies, the people will not seek their God. They will not remember all that God has done for them (Psalm 78:34-35). This is wisdom.
Some of the Israelites died in the wilderness after they tested God. Some died before and during their exile that God warned about in Solomon’s dream. Ultimately, God’s only son had to die to save us from our sins.
Jesus is God’s only begotten, worthy son, and yet, God gave him over out of love for the rest of us who are unworthy without him, so that we could be free to serve him by being like his son in our ways (doing God’s will for our good).
God is a just God. Because of Jesus’ sacrifice for us all, God raised him from the dead and made him first place in everything. He is the image of the invisible God. He is the firstborn of all the new creation. All things new are created through him/because of his sacrifice.
But Jesus didn’t just die for his people Israel, he died for all people, both Jew and Gentile, like the Colossians Paul writes to. God’s name is now among those who identify through his son. And Jesus is the King of the world, our Messiah.
Paul tells the Colossians who know the love of Christ that they are doing well, and yet, he prays for more for them.
To this end, to our faithful God who continues in his steadfast love towards us who have not always been faithful, nor even have always bore the name Israel, to what can we give him?
You give him what Paul is praying for the Colossians to give him, even though they’re doing quite well in their Christian walk. You ask God to fill you with all the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.
QUESTIONS
1. God calls his people by his name, and his name is in the house that David builds for him forever. What name do you think God is referring to?
2. What do you think it means for Jesus to be first place in everything?
3. How does Paul “fully carry out the preaching of the word of God?” from Colossians 1:25
PRAYER
Dear Awesome God, I want to be a part of Your people today and forever. Help me to be wise and choose paths and ways that bring me closer to You and what You want from me. Thank You for Your Word where You reveal Yourself, and Your Son who makes a way to You. Help me to learn from the past and see and do what pleases You. In Your Son’s name I pray, Amen
-Devotion by Pastor J.J. Fletcher, son of Jeff & Karen Fletcher (MN)
Anxiety is a significant issue today. A quick Google search yields the statistics that nearly half of U.S. adults report feeling more anxious than in previous years. Nearly 20% of adults deal with some sort of anxiety disorder, and about 15% of young adults experience moderate to severe anxiety symptoms.
Some anxiety is enhanced or brought on by various disorders, but other anxiety seems to be directly impacted by the way that we order and perceive life.
In Philippians 4, Paul gives us an action plan for life. Our attitude can directly impact our response to people and situations. I made this point in a sermon once: Everyone annoys me… if I let them. If we’re looking for something to complain about or dislike, we’re going to find something. Paul says: Rejoice always! Look for what God is doing and find joy in that. He doubles down on that idea for emphasis. Even when chaos and pain surround: rejoice. When things are not going how you would like them: rejoice.
Actively looking for and remembering God in our lives will directly impact our perception of reality and frame our outlook on life. Certainly, there will be difficulties, but God gives us the tools to endure.
Joyfulness doesn’t mean being “Pollyanish”; we should not ignore reality, but we can and should show a resilient life and faith through hardship and disappointment. Being reasonable (not insisting on every right or letter of law or custom, yielding, gentle, kind, courteous, tolerant – BDAG) seems to have some implications of not making everything about yourself and being mindful of others, even when you are down or suffering.
Paul says don’t be anxious. Instead, channel your struggles and disappointments into prayer. A couple of days ago, I wrote about complaining… don’t do that; rather, vent to God, tell him how you feel (respectfully), ask for wisdom and grace to deal with your situation. Ask him to work in you and work in the situation that may be pushing you toward anxiety. Peter says in 1 Peter 5:7 Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you.
Paul says that this approach will bring the peace of God, which doesn’t make sense. My caveat to this is that it doesn’t make sense to someone without faith. Yes, it transcends what our minds can handle and how we operate, but it should make sense to us who believe in a God that does supernatural things. It’s no biggie for him to change our hearts and minds and bring about a non-anxious and peaceful paradigm.
When things are going poorly or just not how we desire, it is easy to hyperfixate on our disappointments. Paul says not to do that. Look for the good in people. Look at what God has done in your life and the lives of others. If sin is at the heart of your issues, turn away from that sin and look to things that are excellent and worth paying attention to.
Finally, put your faith and training into practice. It does no good to simply be hearers of the word; we need to be doers of the word (James 1:22).
Reflection Questions
How do you tend to handle anxiety or situations that could potentially cause anxiety? What healthy practices have you tried and benefitted from? What unhealthy practices have you used and want to avoid?
When have you hyperfixated on disappointment? What was the result? What would have been a better reaction to the disappointment – and one you will try next time?
“Look for what God is doing and find joy in that.” Look carefully. What do you see God doing? With joy, thank Him.
Prayer
Dear God – I thank You for always being up to something good. We eagerly await Your perfect Kingdom, but until then, help me rest in the peace that only comes from knowing You. Help me see You at work and joyfully serve. In Jesus’ name, I pray.
Seek Grow Love 