Month: July 2024

Faith and Obedience: When ‘Can’t’ Dies to ‘Can!’

Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations. Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child. (Jeremiah 1:4–6, KJV)

I Can’t

As my chronological Bible reading took me to the Book of Jeremiah, I was reminded of another person who said to God, “I can’t.” Did not Moses say “I can’t” when God told him to stand before Pharaoh and to lead His people out of Egypt? In fact, Moses said, “I can’t,” so many times that God became angry with him (Exodus 3-4)! As I read this, a couple of thoughts came to mind. 

Great Limitations

First, Moses and Jeremiah were honest in their assessments when they said they couldn’t. Alone and in our flesh, yes—we can’t! Apart from God, we would fail miserably! This reminds me of what Jesus said in the Book of John. 

I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. (John 15:5, KJV) 

I was reminded that God knows we can’t, but He calls us anyway!

The Deciding Factor

Second, when have limitations been the deciding factor? God knew that Moses and Jeremiah “couldn’t” before He ever spoke to them. If God is speaking to us and calling us beyond our many limitations, it is not so that we can inform Him of His mistake; it is for us to trust and obey Him. 

But without faith it is impossible to please him…(Hebrews 11:6, KJV)

True Success

Is it not amazing that can’t dies to can through faith and obedience? There is no need to scare ourselves with our limitations nor remind God of something He already knows better than we do. There is no need to let the impossible be the deciding factor when faith and obedience make what God is asking possible through His strength!

Thank you for joining me as I read and journal chronologically through the Bible! This devotional reflection comes from Jeremiah 1-3.

The Eve of Judgment: A Call to Repentance!

Zephaniah, the great-great-grandson of King Hezekiah, warns the people of the coming Day of the Lord. He prophesied during the days of Josiah, King of Judah. As you might recall, Josiah is remembered for his great spiritual reforms, calling Judah back to worshipping only the LORD. He was the last good king Judah would have. Zephaniah speaks of the immediate future following Josiah’s death. 

Judgment Is Near

Stand in silence in the presence of the Sovereign Lord, for the awesome day of the Lord’s judgment is near… “I will punish the leaders and princes of Judah and all those following pagan customs…” (Zephaniah 1:7–9, NLT) 

Yes, God’s people were on the eve of judgment for their sins. God does not overlook sin. What a thought that our sins, when they were placed on Jesus while He hung on the cross, God spared not even His own Son, but judged them (Romans 8:32)!

A Call for Repentance

Yet, on the eve of judgment, what does the prophet say? Gather before judgment begins, before your time to repent is blown away like chaff. Act now, before the fierce fury of the Lord falls and the terrible day of the Lord’s anger begins. (Zephaniah 2:2, NLT) 

God prefers repentance! Sadly, notice the people’s response. She obeyed not the voice; she received not correction; She trusted not in the Lord; she drew not near to her God. (Zephaniah 3:2, KJV)

The Promise of Restoration

Though a terrible judgment was coming, God made a promise of salvation. At that time will I bring you again, even in the time that I gather you: For I will make you a name and a praise among all people of the earth, When I turn back your captivity before your eyes, saith the Lord. (Zephaniah 3:20, KJV) 

God would not forever cast off His people! After they were chastened, He would restore them! …The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.” (Zephaniah 3:17, NKJV) 

God is a good God! He warns. He patiently waits for repentance. He corrects. He restores. 

Thank you for joining me as I read and journal chronologically through the Bible! This devotional reflection comes from Zephaniah 1-3.

The Word of God: Lost and Found!

Josiah—what a merciful gift of God to Judah, one last opportunity to turn from idolatry and worship the true God. Under King Josiah’s leadership, we see a great spiritual awakening! 

The Timeline

Josiah came to the throne at the age of eight. In the eighth year of his reign, he began to earnestly seek the Lord God. In the twelfth year, he began cleansing the land of its idolatry. In his eighteenth year, Josiah began major repairs to the Temple. 

An Invaluable Find

Around the time Josiah was collecting money to repair the Temple, the priest Hilkiah found Moses’ Book of the Law. The Word of God had been lost in the Temple of God. Imagine God’s people losing His Word in the Temple of the Lord—how head-scratching, embarrassing, and awful! This incredible find was reported to Josiah, who had the court secretary read it. What Josiah heard shook him to his soul. 

And it came to pass, when the king had heard the words of the book of the law, that he rent his clothes. (2 Kings 22:11, KJV)

The Effect of God’s Word

Upon finding the Word of God, Josiah reinstated the Passover. According to Scripture, there had not been such a Passover since the time of the prophet Samuel! 

And there was no passover like to that kept in Israel from the days of Samuel the prophet; neither did all the kings of Israel keep such a passover as Josiah kept, and the priests, and the Levites, and all Judah and Israel that were present, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem. (2 Chronicles 35:18, KJV) 

What a Reminder for Today

What an effect the Word of God had in the lives of God’s people! What a reminder of the importance of God’s Word in our lives and how it can be lost behind the many distractions and demands of this life.

Thank you for joining me as I read and journal chronologically through the Bible! This devotional reflection comes from 2 Kings 22-23; 2 Chronicles 34-35.

God’s Sovereignty Over Nations: A Truth to Rest In!

Can God humble a proud, arrogant superpower in its prime? Is God sovereign over all the nations of the earth? The Book of Nahum is a prophecy against Assyria, illustrating yes to both questions. God informs the Assyrian superpower of the following… 

“I am your enemy!” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. “Your chariots will soon go up in smoke. Your young men will be killed in battle. Never again will you plunder conquered nations. The voices of your proud messengers will be heard no more.” (Nahum 2:13, NLT)

A Superpower That Lies in Ruins

In our reading, we have heard a lot about the Assyrian empire. Its capital is Nineveh, that great city that Jonah preached to. As you might recall from reading through Jonah, Nineveh repented of its sin, and God spared it of judgment. But that was short-lived. One hundred years later, Nahum is foretelling its destruction.

In Nahum 2:11, the question is asked, “Where now is that great Nineveh?” This military and affluent superpower lies in ruins just outside Mosul, Iraq. Mosul, Iraq, does not cause the nations to tremble as Nineveh once did—the old Assyrian empire is no more (Nahum 3:19). 

God’s Sovereignty Over World Events

For the believer, we can rest in the truth that God is sovereign even over all the nations. Notice what Daniel wrote in his book. 

He said, “Praise the name of God forever and ever, for he has all wisdom and power. He controls the course of world events; he removes kings and sets up other kings. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the scholars. (Daniel 2:20–21, NLT)

Finding Rest in the Sovereignty of God

Sometimes, it seems like the world is out of control, but it is not. It can seem that wicked people prosper and do whatever they want, but that is not true. God is in control, and eventually, all evildoers will be cut off, and the meek will inherit the earth. In the meantime, we can find rest in God!

Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him: Fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, Because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: Fret not thyself in any wise to do evil. For evildoers shall be cut off: But those that wait upon the Lord, they shall inherit the earth. (Psalm 37:7–9, KJV)

Thank you for joining me as I read and journal chronologically through the Bible! This devotional reflection comes from Nahum 1-3.

The Tale of Two Kings: God’s Mercy to Us All!

Today, our reading encompasses the lives of two kings: Hezekiah, whom we have seen already, and his son Manasseh. Both have a turning point in their lives where God intervenes with mercy. 

A Good King Who Forgot God’s Mercy

When Hezekiah came to Judah’s throne, he was tender toward God. He sought to undo all the wickedness of the previous king. And thus did Hezekiah throughout all Judah, and wrought that which was good and right and truth before the Lord his God…he did it with all his heart, and prospered. (2 Chronicles 31:20–21, KJV) Today, we see Isaiah come and instruct him to get his house in order; he will die. But Hezekiah earnestly prays to God, and God adds fifteen years to his life in an amazing act of mercy (2 Kings 20:1–6)! Yet, the Bible says that Hezekiah was lifted up with pride and selfishness these last fifteen years, forgetting the Source of his blessings (2 Kings 20:16–19).

A Wicked King Who Remembered God’s Mercy

Manasseh is a different story. He undoes all of what Hezekiah did to restore righteousness in the land. He was wicked, even sacrificing his son in the fire. He built pagan altars in the Temple of the Lord…He built these altars for all the powers of the heavens in both courtyards of the Lord’s Temple. Manasseh also sacrificed his own son in the fire. He practiced sorcery and divination, and he consulted with mediums and psychics. He did much that was evil… (2 Kings 21:4–6, NLT). As a result, God allows him to be taken prisoner. Still, he earnestly prays and repents, and God restores Manasseh to the throne in another amazing act of mercy (2 Chronicles 33:12–13)! Manasseh then spends the rest of his life undoing all his wickedness. He never forgot the act of mercy he received from God. 

We Choose The Ending of Our Stories

One king started out well but ended badly. The other king started badly but ended well. Both experienced the same mercy. God is merciful, writing redemption into our stories, yet we choose the ending of these stories. May we remember the Lord’s benefits shown to us daily. May we remain humble in the light of much mercy. May we never take for granted the goodness of God in our lives! May we never forget it is not too late to repent!

Thank you for joining me as I read and journal chronologically through the Bible! This devotional reflection comes from 2 Kings 20-21; 2 Chronicles 32-33.