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2 Chronicles Chapter 28 (ESV)
1 Ahaz was twenty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. And he did not do what was right in the eyes of the Lord, as his father David had done, 2 but he walked in the ways of the kings of Israel. He even made metal images for the Baals, 3 and he made offerings in the Valley of the Son of Hinnom and burned his sons as an offering, according to the abominations of the nations whom the Lord drove out before the people of Israel. 4 And he sacrificed and made offerings on the high places and on the hills and under every green tree.
5 Therefore the Lord his God gave him into the hand of the king of Syria, who defeated him and took captive a great number of his people and brought them to Damascus. He was also given into the hand of the king of Israel, who struck him with great force…
22 In the time of his distress he became yet more faithless to the Lord—this same King Ahaz…
27 And Ahaz slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the city, in Jerusalem, for they did not bring him into the tombs of the kings of Israel. And Hezekiah his son reigned in his place.
REFLECTION:
- Ahaz did not do what was right in the eyes of the Lord, not only did he make offerings to idols but he committed the horrendous sin of burning infants as an offering. Therefore, God gave Ahaz into the hand of his enemies and allowed Judah to be conquered by them. Up to now, there is no reduction in the evil customs of idol worship but they become even more popular with different faces. Reflect what you can learn from the example of Ahaz’s failure, that your dedication to follow God is not shaken by any visible or invisible idols.
- Difficulty and hardship could destroy a person but they could also encourage a person to grow towards maturity. As for Ahaz, difficulties made him offend God even more. When we face difficulties, be alert not to fall like Ahaz but remember that adversity could be an opportunity for growth. Reflect that every difficulty in life could be an opportunity to stay close to God. How will you grasp these opportunities to build an intimate relationship with God and become more mature?
PRAYER:
Ask God to keep you alert so that you could examine if there are any visible or invisible idols in your heart. If you are worshipping these idols, repent to God and ask for His forgiveness. Remove the idols and make Christ king of your life. Ask God to give you faith that you will grasp the opportunity to grow in adversities and build a more intimate relationship with God.
HYMN:
“As the Deer” – www.youtube.com/watch?v=TF27EczT_pU
