Read 2 Chronicles 25
Highlights:
Three kings in today's reading all began doing right in the eyes of the Lord. But, from a great spiritual beginning, Amaziah turned to idols and God destroyed him. Uzziah did that which was right in the sight of the Lord (II Chr. 26:4) and became a powerful king, but he presumed to take to himself the position of priest. Consequently, the Lord struck him with leprosy. Then his son Jotham reigned as king and became mighty, because he prepared his ways before the Lord his God (27:6).
Amaziah, of Judah, hired the army of Israel to fight Edom when he should have prayed and relied upon God for direction. He did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, but not with a perfect heart (II Chr. 25:2). When a prophet advised against his hasty action, Amaziah expressed concern about the money he had already paid out for defense. The prophet assured him that God was able to make up any loss he would sustain if he would only submit to and trust in God.
Like Amaziah, we are prone to seek help from worldly resources when we are confronted with a crisis. What about the sacrifices we make and the money it may cost in order to do the Lord's will? Such losses might leave us with a helpless feeling; but we would only be giving up trash for treasures and rags for riches. Consider Job; the Lord is able to give us much more than we may lose when we accept the loss and trust Him. After all, we never lose anything of lasting value by totally relying on God. In fact, by giving God first place we gain the best in life, which eternally affects our destiny in heaven.
After winning the war with the Edomites, Amaziah made another serious mistake of spiritual compromise. He brought the gods of the children of Seir, and set them up to be his gods . . . Wherefore the anger of the Lord was kindled against Amaziah, and He sent unto him a prophet, which said unto him, Why hast thou sought after the gods of the people, which could not deliver their own people out of thy hand? (25:14-15).
The Bible was provided by our Creator and is the One True Source of wisdom for daily decisions and direction. As we read the Word of God with a desire to do His will, the Spirit of Christ — the Living Word — guides our thoughts and actions (John 16:13).
Satan is like a wolf in sheep's clothing. He knows his time is short, and he will take every advantage to deceive many through their ignorance of the Word of God.
Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of Man shall give unto you: for Him hath God the Father sealed (John 6:27).
Thought for Today:
And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands for My Name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life (Matt. 19:29).
Christ Portrayed:
By Azariah the high priest who stood between King Uzziah and the Altar, because there was only one proper way to approach the Lord God of Israel and that was through the service of the priests (II Chr. 26:17-18). Jesus, our great High Priest (Heb. 4:14), is The Only Way for anyone to come to God. Jesus saith unto him, I am The Way, The Truth, and The Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me (John 14:6).
Word Studies:
25:21 saw one another in the face, faced each other in battle; 26:10 husbandry, farming.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for Bible Pathway Printer: Ambrose Printing Staff, Nashville TN • Government Officials: Sen. Marco Rubio (FL), Rep. Steve King (IA), Rep. Tom Petri (WI), Rep. Aaron Schock (IL), Rep. Scott Rigell (VA), and Gov. Mark Sanford (SC) • Country: India (986 million) in southern Asia • Major languages: Hindi and English • Religious freedom, but increasing harassment and persecution of Christians by religious radicals • 78% Hindu; 12% Muslim (mostly Sunni); 3% Christian; 2.5% Indigenous; 2% Sikh; .9% Buddhist; .5% Jain; .3% Parsi; .2% Baha'i; .1% Jewish; .5% non-Religious • Prayer Suggestion: Ask the Lord to fill you with love for the unlovely (I John 4:7-8).
Optional Reading: 1 Corinthians 15
Memory Verse for the Week: John 15:10
