05/17/16 Judgment

READING: 2 Chronicles 28-31

Today’s reading begins with recurrent pictures of God’s judgment on His people when they turned their backs on Him. Ahaz was decidedly evil, worshipping false gods and sacrificing children in the fire; “therefore, the Lord his God delivered him into the hands of the king of Aram” and “he was also given into the hands of the king of Israel” (2 Chron 28:5). Later, the text says, “The Lord had humbled Judah because of Ahaz king of Israel, for he had promoted wickedness in Judah and had been most unfaithful to the Lord” (2 Chron 28:19). Everything Ahaz did “aroused the anger of the Lord” (2 Chron 28:25), and “the anger of the Lord has fallen on Judah and Jerusalem; he had made them an object of dread and horror” (2 Chron 28:8). 

Hezekiah, on the other hand, purified the Temple and called the people to repentance and renewed worship. They were to “return to the Lord,” “submit to the Lord,” “come to his sanctuary,” and “serve the Lord” (2 Chron 30:6-8). God in turn would not turn His face from His people if they returned to Him.  

I don’t know where our nation is headed, and I want to be careful in comparing the United States to the Old Testament people of Israel. It’s fair, though, to recognize that God judges sin — and that He is never pleased when His followers ignore His commands. Given the fact that too much of the North American church looks too much like the rest of culture, I can’t help but wonder if/when the Lord will bring judgment on us. 

We need Hezekiahs who call us back.  

ACTION STEPS: 

  • Take time to pray for your church and denominational leaders.  
  • If you are in a leadership position, don’t be afraid to call people to repentance.  

PRAYER: God, give us leaders like Hezekiah who call us back to you and seek to purify His church. Let me be an instrument of purity.”  

TOMORROW¹S READING:  2 Chronicles 32-34

 

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