Month: October 2021

“He sought God during the days of Zechariah who instructed him in the fear of God. As long as he sought the Lord, God gave him success.” 2 Chronicles 26:5

So many times the Bible tells us of people who served and followed after him and were blessed and successful . Proof that he is good.

“Jotham grew powerful because he walked steadfastly before the Lord his God.” 2 Chronicles 27:6

More proof.!

“… he sought his God and worked wholeheartedly. And so he prospered.” 2 Chronicles 31:21

More proof!

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged because the king of Assyria and the vast army with him. With him is only the arm of flesh, but with us is the Lord our God to help us fight our battles.” 2 Chronicles 32:7-8

If God be for us, who can be against us. We may have enemies but who is greater than our God? Can anyone beat him? I know who I want on my side.

“Who of all the gods of these nations that my predecessors destroyed has been able to save his people from me? How then can your God save you from my hand?” 2 Chronicles 32:14

This just boggles my mind. How the Israelites keep turning to false gods, after the one true God did so much for them. Even the people against them knew God was fighting for them and they didn’t stand a chance. But they still sought false gods. Peer pressure?

“And the Lord sent an angel, who annihilated all the fighting men and the commanders and officers in the camp of the Assyrian king. So he drew to his own land in disgrace. And when he went into the temple of his god, some of his sons, his own flesh and blood, cut him down with the sword.” 2 Chronicles 32:21

God wins in the end. The bad guy loses and all is right again.

“In all that has happened to us, you have remained righteous; you have acted faithfully, while we acted wickedly.” Nehemiah 9:33

The people are beginning to see a pattern. They keep screwing up. But God keeps showing up to bail them out. He is good.

“For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arrive for the Jews from another place, but you and your fathers family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to a royal position for such a time as this?” Esther 4:14

God can and will use anyone. We do not always have to accept his plan, but if he has a plan it will prevail. Our church has a prayer pavilion that prays 24/7 for needs around the world. It is becoming a well known place and people have visited it from around the world. Those in charge just said yes to God. They weren’t Gods first choice but they said yes when others didn’t. They didn’t doubt God’s plans even though it took years and thousands of dollars.

If goodness is always rewarded how can we know if it’s from a true love of God, or desire for gain?

This is something Satan brought up to God in Job. Well since God knows every thought, would he not know our motivations? But I do believe that even when non believers show compassion and do good things for others they are rewarded. There is a fact to giving, that it is more blessed to give than to receive. Some evil people have found this out, too. It is also a fact that when you are blessed for doing the right things , you just do more out of thankfulness.

“He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted.” Job 5:9

God is at work always. Remember he promised to always work everything out for our best. And he is doing so much mighty stuff that we just can’t fathom.

“Blessed is the one whom God corrects; so do not despise the discipline of the almighty.” Job 5:17

Just as a loving parent only disciplines out of love, he only wants the best for you. If he didn’t love you so much, why would he care? Just do what you want, pay the consequences, it doesn’t matter to me. Well you do matter so much to God, so be grateful.

“But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve , whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the god of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15

God had proven himself to Joshua and he wanted to convince the others but it was their choice. They could see God was good and all that he had done but would they serve him?

“It was the Lord our God himself who brought us and our parents up out of Egypt, from that land of slavery, and performed those great signs before our eyes. He protected us on our entire journey and among all the nations through which we traveled.” Joshua 24:17

The people said it themselves. God did it all for us. But would they serve him? They were a stiff necked people.

“Lord the God of Israel, there is no God like you in heaven or on earth— you who keep your covenant of love to those who continue wholeheartedly in your way.” 2 Chronicles 6:14

One thing is true. God does keep his promises. When he says something it can be trusted. It may not be in our time frame, but it’s right on time in his perfect time frame.

“Why has the Lord done such a thing to this land and to this temple? People will answer, because they have forsaken the Lord, the God of their ancestors, who brought them out of Egypt, and have embraced other gods, worshiping them and serving them-that is why he brought all this disaster on them.” 2 Chronicles 7:22

We bring so much trouble onto ourselves and yet we quickly blame God. God is always good and just. His ways we just can’t fathom because he knows the beginning from the end.

“The Lord is with you when you are with him. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will forsake you.” 2 Chronicles 15:2

The more you seek him the more he will be revealed to you. I heard someone explain this to me in relation to children. The dad is being chased round and around by the kids, but just before they give up he lets them catch him. Because that kind of love brings so much joy. He just wants them to earnestly seek him. Or have you ever played hide and seek with children. When they count you hide, but not very good, so they will not give up too easily.

“But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.” 2 Chronicles 15:7

God will reward us when we try. He loves us and loves giving us good things. But people who don’t know God think he is a taskmaster. But since they don’t know him, they will never know how much you will do for someone you love who loves you.

“All Judah rejoiced about the oath because they had sworn it wholeheartedly.” 2 Chronicles 15:15

God’s people would come to him and confess their sins, just to go back to sinning again. But every time he forgave them just like he said he would. Giving them a peace that comes from true repentance. It says I really was wrong and I really wish to do right. But as the world gets hard we often slip back into our sins. But God is always ready for us to come back to him no matter how bad we’ve been.

“For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are committed to him. You have done a foolish thing, and now you will be at war.” 2 Chronicles 16:9

God is perfect and he is just. So when we sin we will pay the consequences. If we run back to him though, he is loving, and will take us back. As a parent I can remember grounding my kids for bad behavior but as they show true repentance, I sometimes forgot about my threats and let them slide because I loved them and wanted to see them happy.

“Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army, for the battle is not yours, but God’s.” 2 Chronicles 20:15

God is our champion. He loves his own and he will fight for them. We so often let things get to us. Every trial and difficult thing we need to take to God. The sooner the better. It may be that he is using it to strengthen us. But he uses everything for our good and he will be with us through everything. Sometimes God will work out impossible situations that we never imagined in his special ways.

“…men went to carry off their plunder, they found among them a great amount of equipment and clothing and also items of value-more then they could take away. There was so much plunder it took three days to collect it.” 2 Chronicles 20:25

In this instance God sent his angels to thwart their enemies, who turned on each other and annihilated themselves. And because God is a God of abundance he gave them such a great victory. They not only received the spoils of war, but there was so much plunder that it took three days to collect it all.

God made heaven and earth and everything that ever was or ever would be in them. Everything we could ever need or want. And it was very good. He is perfect, could he do anything less. I am amazed at all the intricate and unique animals and plants. I believe God was excited to create them. The gorgeous environments and majestic scenery.

“God blessed them and said to them, ‘Be fruitful and increase in number’; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and every living creature that moves upon the ground.” Genesis 1:28

He was so happy to have people to love and he wanted so much more. Everything was just for them. He thought of everything we could enjoy. It was theirs to rule over and nurture. Nothing was too good for them.

“God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning- the sixth day.” Genesis 1:31

It had to be perfect and everything we could desire was thought of. At times I just sit and ponder the things in my immediate surroundings, which isn’t much, but each little thing brings so much pleasure and memories. Pictures of my family and simple things like my clock. How God created time and seasons that come and go regularly.

“I will take you as my own people, and I will be your God. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God, that brought you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians.” Exodus 6:7

If he could just have a special people all his own he would do everything for them and they would love him and obey him out of love and devotion. But we are selfish and wicked and we don’t deserve anything, but that doesn’t stop him. He still wants that special people to bless

“The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” Exodus 14:14

“I will do it! I’m willing to do the hard work. I just want your love,” says God

“The Lord is my strength and defense; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him.” Exodus 15:2

We really need to realize just what we have. He is everything and he does everything and he promises us a future because he is our future salvation through his precious son.

“Who is like you- majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders?” Exodus 15:11

The more you get to know him the larger he becomes in your eyes. Just like the jumbo jet looks tiny when you look up from 30,000 miles away. But when you stand beside it, it’s massive. Draw closer to God and see how big he becomes.

“The Lord reigns for ever and ever.” Exodus 15:18

This is the reason I am at peace. Bottom line is that God does have us all in the palm of his hand and he is working. His will, will be done.

“Then the Lord said to Moses, I will rain down bread from heaven for you. The people are to go each day and gather enough for that day. In this way I will test them and see whether they will follow my instructions.” Exodus 16:4

His provision is promised but he had a million whining people to take care of. He has storehouses of supplies and fed them each day miraculously with bread from heaven and even meat. There were no stores or crops and the animals they had were required for sacrifices. Everything they needed was up to him. Their clothes and shoes did not wear out. They always had enough.

“The Israelites ate manna for forty years, until they came to a land that was settled; they ate manna till they came to the border of Canaan.” Exodus 16:35

For forty years he took care of over a million people and they thrived and grew in numbers. I liked camping out and I did it for many years with my family, but there was so much to pack and then to clean up once we were done. But they had what they could carry on their backs and that was enough.