II Chronicles 25
Amaziah served without a perfect heart verse 1- 4
Amaziah was twenty and five years old when he began to reign
and he reigned twenty and nine years in Jerusalem
and his mother’s name was Jehoaddan of Jerusalem
and he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD
BUT not with a PERFECT heart
Now it came to pass – when the kingdom was established to him
that he slew his servants that had killed the king his father
BUT he slew not their children
BUT did as it is written in the law in the book of Moses
where the LORD commanded
saying
The fathers shall not die for the children
neither shall the children for the fathers
BUT every man shall die for his own sin
Amaziah organized the army verse 5
Moreover Amaziah gathered Judah together
and made them captains over thousands – and made over hundreds
according to the houses of their fathers
throughout all Judah and Benjamin
and he numbered them from twenty years old and above
and found them three hundred thousand choice men
able to go forth to war
that could handle spear and shield
Amaziah hired Israelite soldiers verse 6
He hired also an hundred thousand mighty men of valor out of Israel
for an hundred talents of silver
Man of God warns Amaziah verse 7- 8
But if there came a man of God to him
saying
O king – let not the army of Israel go with you
for the LORD is not with Israel – to wit
with all the children of Ephraim
But if you will go do it be strong for the battle
God has power to help – and to cast down
Amaziah discharges Israelite soldiers verse 9- 10
And Amaziah
said to the man of God
But what shall we do for the hundred talents which
I have given to the army of Israel?
And the man of God answered
The LORD is able to give you much more than this
Then Amaziah separated them – to wit
the army that was come to him out of Ephraim – to go home again
wherefore their anger was greatly kindled against Judah
and they returned home in great anger
Amaziah defeats Edomites verse 11- 12
And Amaziah strengthened himself – and led forth his people
and went to the valley of salt
and smote of the children of Seir ten thousand
and other ten thousand left alive did the
children of Judah carried away captive
and brought them unto the top of rock
and cast them down from the top of the rock
that they all were broken in pieces
Israelite soldiers kill and spoil on their way home verse 13
BUT the soldiers of the army which Amaziah sent back
that they should not go with him to battle
fell upon the cities of Judah
from Samaria even unto Beth-horon
and smote three thousand of them
and took much spoil
Prophet confronts Amaziah about false gods verse 14- 15
Now it came to pass
after that Amaziah was come from the slaughter of the Edomites
that he brought the gods of the children of Seir
and set them up to be his gods
and bowed down himself before them
and burned incense unto them
Wherefore the anger of the LORD was kindled against Amaziah
and HE sent to him a prophet
which said to him
Why have you sought after the gods of the people
which could not deliver their own people
out of your hand?
Amaziah told prophet of LORD to be quiet verse 16
And it came to pass – as he talked with him – that the king
said to him
Are you made of the king’s counsel? Forbear
Why should you be smitten?
Then the prophet forbare
and said
I know that God has determined to destroy you
BECAUSE you have done this
and have not hearkened unto my counsel
Amaziah challenges Israel to battle verse 17
Then Amaziah king of Judah took advice – and sent to Joash
the son of Jehoahaz – the son of Jehu
king of Israel saying
Come – let us see one another in the face
King Joash of Israel replies – stay home verse 18- 19
And Joash – king of Israel sent to Amaziah – king of Judah
saying
The thistle that was in Lebanon send to the cedar
that was in Lebanon
saying
Give your daughter to my son to wife
and they passed by a wild beast that was in Lebanon
and trode down the thistle
You say – Lo you have smitten the Edomites
and your heart lifted you up to boast
abide now at home
Why should you meddle to your hurt
that you should fall – even you
and Judah with you?
Amaziah refused to listen = defeat verse 20- 24
But Amaziah would not hear – for it came of God
that HE might deliver them into the hand of their enemies
BECAUSE they sought after the gods of Edom
So Joash the king of Israel went up – and they saw one another in the face
both he and Amaziah king of Judah – at Beth-shemesh
which belongs to Judah
And Judah was put to the worse before Israel
and they fled every man to his tent
And Joash the king of Israel took Amaziah king of Judah
the son of Joash – the son of Jehoahaz – at Beth-shemesh
and brought him to Jerusalem
And brake down the wall of Jerusalem from the gate of Ephraim
to the corner gate – four hundred cubits
and he took all the gold and the silver
and all the vessels that were found in the
house of God with Obed-edom
and the treasures of the king’s house
the hostages also and returned to Samaria
Record of Amaziah’s reign verse 25- 26
And Amaziah the son of Joash king of Judah lived after the death of
Joash son Jehoahaz king of Israel fifteen years
Now the rest of the acts of Amaziah – first and last – BEHOLD
Are they not written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel?
Amaziah killed verse 27- 28
Now after the time that Amaziah did turn away from following the LORD
they made a conspiracy against him in Jerusalem
and he fled to Lachish
BUT they sent to Lachish after him
and slew him there – and they brought him upon horses
and buried him with his fathers in the city of Judah
COMMENTARY:
DAILY SPIRITUAL BREAKFAST: Young Believers
: 2 And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, but not with a
perfect heart. (7999 “perfect” [shalam] means constituting the full quantity or extent, complete, whole, undivided, finished, accurate, or fully devoted)
DEVOTION: One of the points of history of Israel is that the LORD wanted total loyalty to HIM and HIS standard for the nation. HE didn’t want partial obedience. HE wanted full obedience to what HE commanded and what HIS prophets told the reigning king HE expected of them.
If the king listened to the prophets that the LORD sent there were would be blessing and victory. If they didn’t listen to HIS prophets there would be judgment through many means that were available to the LORD.
So we see from this verse that Amaziah didn’t serve the LORD with his whole heart. He was just serving the LORD to the point where it didn’t interfere with his plans for the nation. He was going to do as he pleased whether the LORD liked it or not.
Is this how we serve the LORD at times? Are we wholehearted in our service to the LORD each day of our life? Do we wake up each morning asking the LORD what we should do for HIM that day? Do we go to bed each night with the thought that we have served the LORD well that day?
Our loyalty to the LORD is tested each day that we live. We have to be in HIS Word each day to learn about HIM and what HE expects of us. We have to ask the Holy Spirit for guidance regarding our service for the LORD each day. Our prayer life is very important to the LORD communicating with us HIS desires for us.
Remember that the LORD opens doors and closes doors each day, so that, we have walk in the right direction each day. HE wants us to walk with HIM just like HE wanted the kings to walk with HIM and worship HIM alone.
CHALLENGE: Are there any false gods that we are worshiping today in our life? HE wants our total loyalty each day. HE wants our whole body, soul and spirit.
DAILY SPIRITUAL LUNCH: Transitional Believers
: 4 But he slew not their children, but did as it is written in the law in the book of Moses, where the LORD commanded, saying, The fathers shall not die for the children, neither shall the children die for the fathers, but every man shall die for his own sin. (3789 “written” [kathab] means engrave, recorded, to be ordered by writing, engrave, issued in a written state, or decree)
DEVOTION: The teaching of the Old Testament as it was given by the LORD was that each person is going to be held accountable for their own sins. The parents are not going to be judged for the sins of their children and the children are not going to be judged for the sins of their parents.
Each generation has to be held accountable for the sins they commit themselves. This is the law of the LORD given to Moses in the wilderness. It was the law of the land.
So we find that the king killed only the ones who killed his father. He let the children of these individuals go free. They were allowed to live a life that could either be one that didn’t involve conspiring against the king or one that did and they would be judged accordingly.
Today we are supposed to pray for the ruler of our nation that is elected by the people. This is a command of the LORD. We can pray for the leader’s salvation if he is not saved. We can pray that the leader of the nation would make wise judgments based on the Word of God. We can pray for the LORD to deal with a leader that is not good by the standard of the Word of God.
Our command from the LORD is to pray and let the LORD deal with either a good ruler or a bad ruler in HIS way and in HIS time. This is not easy but it is what the LORD has commanded for this time in our world.
We have the responsibility to spread the message of salvation whether we have a good ruler or a bad ruler. Our minds should be concentrating on how we can reach our neighborhood and friends for the LORD before HE does send judgment.
What are you doing in your prayer life regarding our present ruler of our nation? What are you doing in your prayer life if you live in another nation? We are to be obedient even when it hurts to be obedient to the LORD and to the ruler of our nation.
Again if the ruler of our nation goes against the Word of God we have to obey the Word of God over any human ruler.
CHALLENGE: This means that we might have to lose all that we have in order to be obedient to the LORD. It might even mean that we lose our freedom.
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: 9 And Amaziah said to the man of God, But what shall we do for the hundred talents which I have given to the army of Israel? And the man of God answered, The LORD is able to give thee much more than this.
(3603 “talents” [kikkar] means large round coin of silver or gold, piece, or a round loaf of bread)
DEVOTION: Money can always be a problem in the life of a follower of Christ. Here we have a king who was just coming to power. He was interested in war. He wanted to have a very strong army to go against an enemy.
The enemy he had in mind was the children of Edom. These are descendants of Esau the brother of Jacob. They had been a thorn in the flesh of the Israelites. They were related but not helpful.
Amaziah had not only gathered his army but had hired some soldiers from Ephraim. He had paid them to come and serve him. He paid them one hundred talents. A talent weights about 66-77 pounds. That would be over three and a half tons of either silver or gold. One talent equals six thousand denarius. One denarius was equal to a day’s wage for a normal person. So this was a lot of money. In our day a talent is worth $150,000. So a hundred times that amount was 1.5 million dollars. Even in our day it is a lot of money.
Now we know the rest of the story – why is money called bread? It is the same Hebrew word for loaf of bread as for money of silver and gold. We need to realize that money means NOTHING to God. HE can give us little or a lot. God does promise to provide our daily bread.
A man of God told Amaziah not to worry about the hundred talents, God was able to give him MUCH MORE THAN THAT. One of the things that we see in this chapter is that the king was more concerned about money than the LORD. He was trusting in his money to win victories instead of the LORD.
Amaziah gave in this time and sent the army away. However, after the battle with the Edomites, he took their gods and worshiped them. He was warned by a prophet of the LORD but would not listen. He even threatened to kill the prophet. The prophet told him that the LORD would deal with him. He looked at the spoil of that war and thought he could win any war.
He challenged the king of Israel to battle. The LORD was in this challenge, to show him that without the LORD there is defeat. He was defeated.
We need to listen to the Word of God regarding our trust in money. We need to watch where we spend our money. We need to go to the LORD for direction regarding financial matters. Listen to HIM!!!
How often should we listen to warnings coming from men/women of God? Should we only listen the first time or every day? It seems like a dumb question but what happened here also happens in the lives of many believers. They will listen for a while and then go off on their own.
We need to determine daily to follow the LORD. This means that when HE sends a warning to us through HIS people we should take their advice.
CHALLENGE: Warning: not all those who come to warn are from the LORD. Discernment is very important and that comes through a close walk with the LORD.
DAILY SPIRITUAL SUPPER: Mature Believers
: 14 Now it came to pass, after that Amaziah was come from the slaughter of the Edomites, that he brought the gods of the children of Seir, and set them up to be his gods, and bowed down himself before them, and burned incense to them. (5975 “set up” [‘amad] means to stand in position, take one’s stand, present, to establish, to station, to cause to stand firm, or
to institute)
DEVOTION: The LORD had given him a victory over the false gods of the Edomites but once he returned, he took a stand that he wanted to worship these gods. This was a direct disobedience to the LORD’s command to not have any other gods.
Victory had caused him to think he could do anything and the LORD would not have a problem with it. He was wrong.
There are many warning throughout the history of Israel where the LORD sent judgment when the children of Israel worshiped false gods. HE would do the same in the lifetime of Amaziah.
The warning by a prophet was stated. He told Amaziah that he had just defeated the Edomites and their false gods didn’t give them victory of the LORD. Why would he think that they would help him in the future? It was confusing. It was against the commands of the LORD.
Amaziah didn’t care and had to pay the consequences in the near future. Today we have many false gods worshiped that are not made of gold and silver but are causing people to think that they don’t need the LORD.
Too many people worship money in the bank or cars or social activity in the place of the LORD. These only last for a short time but in time all of the fail to give support for the future. Bowing down to false gods causes people to trust in false hope and they don’t seem to care. This will end when they face the LORD at the Great White Throne judgment when the LORD asks them who or what they trusted in and they have to answer that they trusted in their wealth or social standing
We need to warn those who are trusting in anything or anyone other than the LORD Jesus Christ for future hope. If we warn we are doing what the LORD told us to do. The true prophets also warned and some listened and others did not.
CHALLENGE: We have to make everyone we know aware that there is a judgment coming and those without Christ will spend eternity in hell with the devil and his angels. There will be no PARTY there.
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: 27 Now after the time that Amaziah did turn away from following the LORD they made a conspiracy against him in Jerusalem; and he fled to Lachish: but they sent to Lachish after him, and slew him there. (7195 “conspiracy” [qesher] means treason, unlawful alliance, a plot to carry out some harmful or illegal act, or rebellion)
DEVOTION: Once the king was not serving the LORD the people wanted to see him dead. There was a group of people who took their time, which is thought to have happened fifteen years later, to see that the king died for his actions against the LORD.
Remember that the LORD showed HIMSELF to be longsuffering with the kings of Judah because of their relationship to David. HE had promised to keep a descendant of David on the throne and HE was keeping HIS promise.
That didn’t mean that HE would never judge the kings but HE would give them time to repent and listen to the prophets HE sent to give them HIS message.
Once they didn’t listen to HIS message, HE would send a word of judgment with a time period of years before the judgment would follow the pronouncement.
Today we find that the LORD has given us some time to reach our world with the message of salvation. HE waited until the iniquity of the Amorites was full before HE sent Israel to defeat them. This might be the time period that we are living in right now.
HIS judgment on our nation and our world could happen at any time. We don’t know the day or the hour when HE will start the final time of judgment for this earth.
Our nation and other nations are in the state of rebellion against the LORD. We started out with individuals who wanted religious freedom and worshiped the LORD. The laws of the land were established based on the Word of God.
Today our nation is taking God out of every public place and those who are trying to hold to the standard of God are taken to court because they will not allow individuals who are not honoring the LORD to be given free reign over those who are trying to honor the LORD.
CHALLENGE: Waiting for the LORD’S judgment can be hard but we need to realize it is coming to those who reject HIS standard.
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DISCIPLINES OF THE FAITH:
BODY
Chastity (Purity in living)
Fasting (Time alone with LORD without eating or drinking)
Sacrifice (Giving up something we want to serve the LORD)
Submission (Willing to listen to others and LORD)
Solitude (Going to a quiet place without anyone)
SOUL
Fellowship (Gathering together around the Word of God)
Frugality (wise use of resources)
Journalizing (Writing down what you have learned from the LORD)
Study and Meditation (Thinking through your study in the Word)
Secrecy (Doing your good deeds without others knowing but God)
SPIRIT
Celebration (Gathering around a special occasion to worship LORD)
Confession (Tell the LORD we are sorry for our sins on a daily basis)
Prayer (Conversation with God on a personal level)
Silence (Letting the LORD deal with some problems and needs)
Worship (Time to praise the LORD alone or in a group)
House of God verse 24
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DOCTRINES OF THE FAITH:
Scripture (66 inerrant books of the Bible)
Law in the Book of Moses verse 4
Book of kings of Judah and Israel verse 26
God the Father (First person of the Godhead)
LORD – Jehovah (Covenant keeping, Personal) verse 2, 4, 15, 27
Sight of the LORD verse 2
God – Elohim (Creator, Sovereign) verse 7- 9, 16, 20, 24
Man of God verse 7- 9
God shall make king of Judah fall verse 8
Anger of the LORD verse 15
House of God verse 24
God the Son (Second person of the Godhead –God/man, Messiah)
God the Holy Spirit (Third person of the Godhead – our comforter)
Trinity (Three persons of the Godhead who are co-equal = ONE God)
Angels (Created before the foundation of the world – Good and Evil)
Man (Created on the sixth twenty-four hour period of creation)
Children of Seir (Edomites) verse 11- 16, 19, 20
Ten thousand killed by Amaziah
Ten thousand carried away captive
Taken to top of rock and killed
False gods taken by Amaziah
Sin (Missing the mark set by God on man and angels)
Not a perfect heart verse 2
Sin verse 4
Every man shall die for his own sin verse 4
Not trusting in the LORD alone verse 8
Anger verse 10
Worship false gods of Edomites verse 14, 15, 20
Not listening to prophet verse 16
Pride verse 19
Turn away from the LORD verse 27
Conspiracy verse 27
Salvation (Provided by Christ’s death on the cross for our sins)
Right in the sight of the LORD verse 2
Perfect heart verse 2
Help verse 8
Man of God verse 7, 9
Provision of the LORD verse 9
Trust verse 9
Prophet verse 15, 16
Israel (Old Testament people of God)
Amaziah – king of Judah verse 1- 26
25 years old
Reigned 29 years in Jerusalem
Mother’s name: Jehoaddan
Right in the sight of the LORD
but not with a perfect heart
Slew servants that killed his father
Gathered Judah together
300,000 choice men
100,000 mighty men hired
Asked man of God what he should do
Forget hundred talents
Brought gods of children of Seir back
from battle and bowed down to
them and burned incense to
them
LORD sends prophet to him with question
Didn’t listen to him
Challenged Israel to battle
God wanted him to fail in battle because
of his worship of false gods
Rest of acts recorded in book of the
Kings of Judah and Israel
Killed in Lachish
Jerusalem verse 1
Man of God verse 7
LORD not with Israel
Told Amaziah not to go with Israel
Told Amaziah God can give more
than 100,000 talents
Ephraim verse 7, 10
Army of Israel was angry for being sent
home by Amaziah
Fell on on cities of Judah
killed 3, 000 men
Army of Israel verse 9
Prophet sent to Amaziah to question regarding
false gods verse 15, 16
told to not talk
Battle with Israel verse 17
Joash – son of Jehoahaz – king of Israel verse 17- 26
Calls king of Judah a thistle and himself
a cedar
Battle with Judah
Broke down walls of Jerusalem
Took gold and silver from
Temple
Took hostages
Death recorded
Church (New Testament people of God)
Last Things (Future Events)
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QUOTES regarding passage
Overall the record of Amaziah’s reign is negative, with the exception of the victory over Edom. “Instead of royal building programs, the walls of Jerusalem are destroyed; instead of wealth from the people and surrounding nations, the king is plundered; instead of a large family, there were hostages; instead of peace, war; instead of victory, defeat; instead of loyalty from the populace and long life, there is a conspiracy and regicide.” An overwhelming message comes through: God asks for the exclusive loyalty of king and people to their covenant Lord. (Thompson, J. A. (1994). 1, 2 Chronicles (Vol. 9, p. 325). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.)
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25:25–28. Amaziah either remained alive at Jerusalem or was returned there later for he outlived Jehoash by 15 years. He had become unpopular with his own people in Jerusalem, however, and was forced finally to go into exile at Lachish (ca. 30 miles southwest of Jerusalem). He was not safe even there, for a band of assassins found him, killed him, and brought his body back for burial. His father Joash had been assassinated too (cf. 24:25–26). (Merrill, E. H. (1985). 2 Chronicles. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 1, p. 639). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)
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27. after the time &c.] The writer means that the violent death of Amaziah followed on his apostasy, not closely in point of time—for it must have been at least fifteen years after (v. 25)—nor as, humanly speaking, caused by it; but, in the way of a divine judgment, his death was a complete fulfilment of the prophecy of v. 16. (Barnes, A. (1879). Notes on the Old Testament: I Samuel to Esther. (F. C. Cook, J. M. Fuller, Eds.) (p. 409). London: John Murray.)
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25:25–28. Amaziah either remained alive at Jerusalem or was returned there later for he outlived Jehoash by 15 years. He had become unpopular with his own people in Jerusalem, however, and was forced finally to go into exile at Lachish (ca. 30 miles southwest of Jerusalem). He was not safe even there, for a band of assassins found him, killed him, and brought his body back for burial. His father Joash had been assassinated too (cf. 24:25–26). (Merrill, E. H. (1985). 2 Chronicles. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 1, p. 639). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)
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Ver. 20. But Amaziah would not hear, &c.] What the king of Israel advised him to, not to meddle to his hurt; for it came of God, that he might deliver them into the hand of their enemies; Amaziah and his army into the hands of Joash and his; this was the will of God, and was brought about by his providence; and that it might be, Amaziah was given up to blindness and hardness of heart, as a punishment of his idolatry: because they sought after the gods of Edom; he and his nobles, and many of the people following his example; from hence to the end of the chapter the same things are recorded as in 2 Kings 14:11–20. see the notes there. (Gill, J. (1810). An Exposition of the Old Testament (Vol. 3, p. 78). London: Mathews and Leigh.)
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18–28. Much of this history we have 2 Kings 14. But we shall do well to observe in the sad history of the termination of his life, what is said; it came of God. Yes! when sinners reject the counsel of God, it is against their own souls, how frequently are they made to do the very reverse of what they intend! (Hawker, R. (2013). Poor Man’s Old Testament Commentary: 1 Kings–Esther (Vol. 3, p. 527). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software0
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We ought to pause over the view of such characters as Amaziah, and gather instruction from the very awful representation of the corrupt and fallen nature they afford. How in direct opposition to duty, to interest, to happiness, is all their conduct. Making a profession of godliness, but denying the power of it. At length breaking out in open rebellion, and closing life in all the bitterness of sorrow. How dreadfully painful are the embassies of faithful servants to such men; and how sure are their reproofs to bring upon them their hatred. But whether the Amaziahs of the present day will hear, or whether they will forbear, they must be found faithful. And however slighted, or despised, or even brought into peril by their integrity, still they are to go on through evil report and good report. The injuries they sustain God will recompense. He that despiseth them despiseth him that sent them. And in the end God will judge their cause, and bring forth their integrity as the light. Jesus looks on, and knows all. He will come with vengeance, even God will come with a recompense. (Hawker, R. (2013). Poor Man’s Old Testament Commentary: 1 Kings–Esther (Vol. 3, p. 527). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.)
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FROM MY READING:
(Remember the only author that I totally agree with is the HOLY SPIRIT in the inerrant WORD OF GOD called THE BIBLE! All other I try to gleam what I can to help me grow in the LORD!!)
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One reason that revivals became the standard American way of drawing a crowd and then building up the churches was that they were self-generated. They did not rely on the agency of the state or a certificate of approval from some higher cultural authority, as the church in Europe often did. They relied instead on the vigor, dedication, and persuasive skill of each revivalist. (p. 84, The Old Religion in a New World by Mark A. Noll)
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On Being a PASTOR by Derek J. Prime & Alistair Begg
The Holy Spirit does the most effective counseling as the Word that HE has inspired is taught and preached. He after all is the Counselor. He is well able to apply the same straightforward exposition in different ways to every Christian listening to it. To one He may speak a word of encouragement, to another a rebuke, which to yet another He may give direction. This happens continually when the Scriptures are expounded in the Spirit’s power. (p. 157)
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John Newton was not bothered by the telephone, but he was by people coming to his home. He said, “When I hear a knock at my study door, I hear a message from God; it may be a message of instruction; perhaps a lesson of patience; but, since it is His message, it must be interesting.” (p. 158)
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To share the verse we have chosen for the day can in itself be the encouragement a person needs, or it can provide the opening for him to disclose the real reason for his wanting to be in touch, (p. 158)
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Our main task in counseling is to assist Christians to understand their own condition, and God’s purpose in it, and then to recognize what their right behavior should be. (p. 159)
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People should always be encouraged to think through the counsel we give (I Corinthians 10: 15). Such encouragement shows that we are not authoritarian although directive, and that our earnest desire is to present only God’s truth – something God Himself will confirm to people’s consciences. (2 Corinthians 4:2). (p. 160)
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Nehemiah 6 The work on the wall is completed
Nehemiah resists the efforts of the adversaries to discourage him or distract him from working on the wall. He is convinced that he is doing the right thing, and he steadfastly resists the interference. The Old Testament often has a literal illustration of a spiritual truth that is explained in the New Testament. In Ephesians 6:11, we read that we are to “put on the whole armor of God”: the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit. Once these are in place, we “resist”–“stand firm!” (Quiet Walk)
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THE KINGDOM OF GOD, PART 1
And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation. Luke 17:20
“The kingdom of God cometh not with observation.” So, then, how does it come? What are the forms of the kingdom of God? The kingdom of God comes, and came, with the very presence and power manifested by the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. There is a wonderful illustration of that in Luke 11:14-20: “And he was casting out a devil, and it was dumb. And it came to pass, when the devil was gone out, the dumb spake; and the people wondered. But some of them said, He casteth out devils through Beelzebub the chief of the devils. And others, tempting him, sought of him a sign from heaven. But he, knowing their thoughts, said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and a house divided against a house falleth. If Satan also be divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand? because ye say that I cast out devils through Beelzebub. And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore shall they be your judges. But if I wi th the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you.”
Now that is what I mean. The kingdom of God came when the Son of God was in this world. The kingdom of God is a manifestation of the power of God, a manifestation of the fact that God is superior to the elements of nature, that He is superior also to the devils and to everything that is evil. The kingdom of God is God’s reign, and when Christ was here on earth, and when He worked His miracles and manifested His marvelous powers, He said, “This is the kingdom of God.”
A Thought to Ponder: The kingdom of God is God’s reign.
(From The Kingdom of God, pp. 56-57, by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones)
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How Does God Hear?
“Hearken therefore unto the supplications of thy servant, and of thy people Israel, which they shall make toward this place: hear thou from thy dwelling place, even from heaven; and when thou hearest, forgive.” (2 Chronicles 6:21)
No less than eight times in Solomon’s prayer of dedication for the temple does he beseech God to “hear from heaven” (see 2 Chronicles 6:21, 23, 25, 27, 30, 33, 35, 39). But the obvious question is just how can God hear our prayers, especially those uttered only in silence?
The answer is in both God’s omniscience and His omnipresence. Although God is indeed on His heavenly throne, He is also right here! “O LORD,” David prayed, “thou hast searched me, and known me….thou understandest my thought afar off” (Psalm 139:1-2). He can, and does, hear our prayers. “He that planted the ear, shall he not hear? he that formed the eye, shall he not see?” (Psalm 94:9).
In a manner of speaking, He hears the prayers of redeemed children today even more directly than in David’s day, for we who trust in Christ have been indwelt by the Holy Spirit. “God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them” (2 Corinthians 6:16). “The eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers” (1 Peter 3:12).
God can indeed hear our prayers. But there are times when He refuses to hear! “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me” (Psalm 66:18). “Behold, the LORD’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: But your iniquities have separated between you and your God…that he will not hear” (Isaiah 59:1-2).
Yes, but if we ask anything according to His will (and this implies first living according to His will), “he heareth us: and… we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him” (1 John 5:14-15). (HMM, The Institute for Creatin Research)
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Lies with Truth
Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.
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