2 KINGS
MOMENT – (28APR19) Manasseh, Hezekiah’s son, rebuilt all the idols that his father
had destroyed and caused Judah to return to idolatry. He also sacrificed his
son, operated in witchcraft, consulted mediums and spiritualist, and killed the
innocent. His son, Amon, followed in his father’s ways as well, but when he was
assassinated by his officials, his son, Josiah, succeeded him to the throne and
did what was right in the Lord’s sight as did David. When Josiah was read the
Law of Moses, after it was found in the temple as repairs were being done, Josiah
knew that they had not been obedient to the Lord and he tore his robes as a
sign of distress and despair. He sent for a Word from the prophet Huldah and
she confirmed what he had heard, but she told him that even though Judah was
going to be judged because of their idolatry, he would not see it during his
lifetime because of his humility to God.
As the
leaders did, so did the nation. When Israel had Godly leaders, they worshiped
God, but when they had ungodly leaders, the returned to their idolatry.
Unfortunately, we have the same mindset in many churches today. When the
leaders are compromised, the church is often compromised, but when the leaders
stand for righteousness, the church stands for righteousness. We have become a
depraved nation because of our leaders both inside and outside the church. Many
leaders in the church are spineless like jellyfish and they will not stand unwavering
regarding the Word of God. Therefore, because they have allowed themselves to
become fools, they have much ignorance in the pews who vote for unrighteous
leaders in the government and this is why we have Muslims in Congress, abortions
throughout the nation, gay marriage as the law, transgenders doing story-time, LGBTQ
history in school books, violence against political party supporters, drugs
being smuggled in, those who are supposed to uphold the law breaking it, and
the list goes on and on. We have allowed homosexuals to direct our choirs,
priests to molest our children, pastors to build their mansions, “first ladies”
to be abused, bishops to have their mistresses, and the list continues.
We do not
have a lot of people who stand for the Word of God. This nation is falling like
Israel did and one day, we too will be overtaken by our enemies. The spiritual
Philistines are upon us, but Samson has lost his strength. Yet, God has
reserved a holy remnant who will not be enticed by fame, fortune, or
popularity. They will stand for Christ and go down fighting to the death if
need be. Will you stand unwavering for Christ? Something to ponder…
QUESTION OF
THE DAY – (28APR19) Hezekiah had been ill and had been given the news that he
was going to die. Yet, the Lord took back the original word that He had given
to Isaiah the prophet concerning him when Hezekiah prayed and wept before the Him.
The Lord added fifteen years to Hezekiah’s life and promised to also give him
peace from his enemies, the Assyrians, for He was going to fight on his behalf.
But when the Babylonian king sent envoys to Hezekiah, he pridefully showed them
all the wealth that he had and failed to contribute his success to the Lord.
Therefore, Isaiah gave him a prophecy that all he had acquired would be taken
by the Babylonians and that his own descendants would become eunuchs for their
king. Hezekiah accepted the word given, but thought to himself that at least it
would not happen in his lifetime. What a shame when he could have possibly prayed
and interceded on behalf of his nation and his family.
Has God done
any miracles in your life? Has he allowed you to accomplish things that would otherwise
had been impossible? Has He presented a table before you in the presence of
your enemies? One thing that we all must be careful to do is to…GIVE GOD GLORY.
We are never to take credit for what the Lord does in our lives from the least
to the greatest. Whatever blessings that we receive, we must always give God
the praise and let others know that if it had not been for the Lord, we could
never have received or done anything. The Lord hates a prideful heart. Hezekiah
could have been a great witness as to the things of the Lord so that the
Babylonian envoy could have taken the news of God’s goodness back to their
king. Unfortunately, this was not what Hezekiah did, and he made it seem as if
it was him alone who accomplished and acquired all he had, instead of giving credit
to the Lord. We must be ever so careful to be humble before the Lord. Oftentimes,
we may not receive the things that we ask for from the Lord because if He gave
it to us, we would be like Hezekiah and become prideful. Therefore, in the Lord’s
great wisdom and grace, He shows us mercy by not giving to us what we want all
the time, or He will delay giving it to us until we are spiritually mature to
handle it. Great is the Lord for He is worthy of our praise. Something to
ponder…
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