Friday, July 4, 2014

THE LORD SPOKE (July 4)

Daily Reflections from Scripture:

Old Testament: II Chronicles 29-30

Why is King Hezekiah of the southern kingdom sending couriers from town to town in the northern kingdom (II Chron. 30:5,6,10)? Because this occasion takes place in 715 BC, about seven years after the destruction of Samaria and the fall of the northern kingdom in 722 BC. There is no more northern kingdom. All but a tiny handful of the inhabitants were killed, fled to Judah, or were taken into captivity by the Assyrians. In an attempt to reunite the people in the worship of Jehovah from Jerusalem, Hezekiah cleansed the Temple and reestablished the celebration of Passover. The fact that this annual festival hadn't been observed nationally for some time (II Chron. 30:5) is further indication of the low spiritual state of the union.

State of the union? There wasn't much union there at all. Some of those invited "scorned and ridiculed" (II Chron. 30:10) the very invitation. Even some of those who did accept the invitation to come didn't follow the required cleansing procedure before participating in the Passover (II Chron. 30:18) which, by the way, was being celebrated out-of-season because the priests themselves were not ready at the right time. Yet, "the hand of God was on the people to give them unity of mind" (vs. 12) and some "humbled themselves" and pursued the opportunity to return to Judah and to Jehovah (II Chron. 30:11).

There would have been ample reason to not celebrate the festival at this time. "But Hezekiah prayed for them saying, 'May the Lord, who is good, pardon everyone who sets his heart on seeking God.'" (II Chron. 30:19). This is not just a wishy-washy prayer like, "I know what the rules are, but so what - I'm being sincere." And it wasn't a rush job. The week-long festival was repeated for a second week (II Chron. 30:21-23). In fact, they were doing exactly what God had told Solomon they must do back at the original dedication of the Temple (see II Chronicles 7:14):
  • humble themselves (II Chron. 30:11)
  • pray (II Chron. 30:27)
  • seek God's face (II Chron. 30:19-20)
  • turn from their wicked ways (II Chron. 30:14; 31:1).
And, God did just what He promised He would do:
  • He heard from heaven (II Chron. 30:20, 27)
  • He forgave their sins (II Chron. 30:8-9, 18-19)
  • and He healed their land (II Chron. 30:20 and the chapters that follow).
Aren't you glad that "the Lord your God is gracious and compassionate[?] He will not turn his face from you if you return to him" (II Chron. 30:9). Now is always a good time to set things right with God.


New Testament: I Thessalonians 3

Absence may make the heart grow fonder but it also makes the worry bump grow bigger. Not being there and unable to affect what might or might not be happening, we grow apprehensive and begin to imagine all sorts of scenarios. Reasonable or not, we create a mental image that begins to feed on itself and gnaw away at us.

The Apostle Paul was no different. It wasn’t all imagination either. After all, the Tempter was out to destroy his work all the time (I Thess. 3:5). He had reason for concern - many had fallen by the wayside or abandoned their faith entirely. He was concerned that his work at Thessalonica might be undone.

More than anywhere else, Paul engages a series of couplets in this chapter which serve to tell the story:
  • vs. 2a - “our brother and God’s fellow worker” - Paul was unable to go himself, but he sent his reliable companion, Timothy, to find out what was happening and to provide assistance.
  • vs. 2b - “to strengthen and encourage you” - The Greek word here is used for a buttress that is built onto a building to reinforce and provide support.
  • vs. 6a - “your faith and love” - Timothy had been able to return with a glowing report. Though there may have been cause for concern, given the expected trials, the Thessalonians had stood firm in the Lord.
  • vs. 6b - “pleasant memories...and long[ing] to see” - Much to Paul’s relief, the Thessalonians reciprocated his own feelings toward them.
  • vs. 7 - “distress and persecution” - Paul had himself been through the wringer but was able to take encouragement from the experience of the Thessalonians.
  • vs. 10 - “night and day” - Unceasingly, he continued to uphold them in prayer, knowing that the Evil One was still lurking about.
  • vs. 11 - “God and Father” - His faith was in the Lord. It had been previously too but how prone we are to forget and start imagining things again.
  • vs. 12 - “make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else” - This double couplet says it all. The spiritual vitality of the brothers there would go beyond all the boundaries and have an affect on ever-widening circles.
  • vs. 13 - “blameless and holy” - That’s the key but how can it be? Blameless? Holy? Only through the mighty strengthening of Him who loves us more than words can tell.

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