Category: “Listening to God” Devotional

Read chapter in full: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=2Chronicles+024

 

 

2 Chronicles Chapter 24 (ESV)

1 Joash was seven years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Zibiah of Beersheba. 2 And Joash did what was right in the eyes of the Lord all the days of Jehoiada the priest. 3 Jehoiada got for him two wives, and he had sons and daughters.

4 After this Joash decided to restore the house of the Lord. 5 And he gathered the priests and the Levites and said to them, “Go out to the cities of Judah and gather from all Israel money to repair the house of your God from year to year, and see that you act quickly.” But the Levites did not act quickly.

8 So the king commanded, and they made a chest and set it outside the gate of the house of the Lord. 9 And proclamation was made throughout Judah and Jerusalem to bring in for the Lord the tax that Moses the servant of God laid on Israel in the wilderness. 10 And all the princes and all the people rejoiced and brought their tax and dropped it into the chest until they had finished…

 

14 And when they had finished, they brought the rest of the money before the king and Jehoiada, and with it were made utensils for the house of the Lord, both for the service and for the burnt offerings, and dishes for incense and vessels of gold and silver. And they offered burnt offerings in the house of the Lord regularly all the days of Jehoiada.

 

REFLECTION:

King Joash gathered the Levites and told them to gather from all Israel money to repair the temple but the Levites did not act quickly (24:5). Gathering money for repairing the temple was not only the king’s wish but also God’s command. Therefore, these Levites not only despised the king’s order but they despised God. It is close to disobeying when you need to follow God’s command but you respond slowly. It was out of the expectation of the Levites that all the people rejoiced and brought their tax for repairing the temple and dropped it into the chest until they had finished (24:10). Reflect if you have delayed some urgent church ministries because of your various concerns. Do not underestimate the faithfulness of the congregation; when you have passion to encourage others to do God’s work, they often will do it willingly and generously.

 

PRAYER:

Come before God in silence, ask God to examine your heart and remove your various worries and rebellions. Ask God to give you a fervent heart to do God’s work willingly and to encourage others to do the same.

 

 

HYMN:

“Here I Am to Worship” – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FaUTv1pXRyU

 

Read chapter in full: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=2Chronicles+023

 

 

2 Chronicles Chapter 23 (ESV)

 

3 And all the assembly made a covenant with the king in the house of God. And Jehoiada said to them, “Behold, the king’s son! Let him reign, as the Lord spoke concerning the sons of David. 4 This is the thing that you shall do: of you priests and Levites who come off duty on the Sabbath, one third shall be gatekeepers, …

 

11 Then they brought out the king’s son and put the crown on him and gave him the testimony. And they proclaimed him king, and Jehoiada and his sons anointed him, and they said, “Long live the king.”…

 

12 When Athaliah heard the noise of the people running and praising the king, she went into the house of the Lord to the people. 13 And when she looked, there was the king standing by his pillar at the entrance, and the captains and the trumpeters beside the king, and all the people of the land rejoicing and blowing trumpets, and the singers with their musical instruments leading in the celebration. And Athaliah tore her clothes and cried, “Treason! Treason!” 14 Then Jehoiada the priest brought out the captains who were set over the army, saying to them, “Bring her out between the ranks, and anyone who follows her is to be put to death with the sword.” For the priest said, “Do not put her to death in the house of the Lord.” 15 So they laid hands on her, and she went into the entrance of the horse gate of the king’s house, and they put her to death there.

16 And Jehoiada made a covenant between himself and all the people and the king that they should be the Lord’s people. 17 Then all the people went to the house of Baal and tore it down; his altars and his images they broke in pieces, and they killed Mattan the priest of Baal before the altars. 18 And Jehoiada posted watchmen for the house of the Lord under the direction of the Levitical priests and the Levites whom David had organized to be in charge of the house of the Lord, to offer burnt offerings to the Lord, as it is written in the Law of Moses, with rejoicing and with singing, according to the order of David. 19 He stationed the gatekeepers at the gates of the house of the Lord so that no one should enter who was in any way unclean. 20 And he took the captains, the nobles, the governors of the people, and all the people of the land, and they brought the king down from the house of the Lord, marching through the upper gate to the king’s house. And they set the king on the royal throne. 21 So all the people of the land rejoiced, and the city was quiet after Athaliah had been put to death with the sword.

 

REFLECTION:

1. Seven years after Queen Athaliah usurped the throne, Jehoiada the priest took the courageous action to remove this idol-worshipping ruler. According to God’s law, it was the duty of every priest to admonish the king (or the queen); unfortunately many priests were afraid of shouldering this mission but only a few priests had the courage to do so. Jehoiada risked his life in doing the right thing – restored temple worship and anointed a new king. Reflect in bad situations that require correction by your straight talk. Do you have the courage of Jehoiada to do the right thing and not back down?
2. After Athaliah usurped the throne, she killed all the possible heirs to the throne and thought everything was set. However, she missed something even after all the arrangements. Once the truth was revealed, she was overthrown and killed. Reflect no matter how great your power and treasure are, they are unreliable and could suddenly disappear even though you try your best to maintain them. How will you live according to God’s truth so that your life will be built on reliable rock?

 

PRAYER:

Ask God to give you wisdom to see through worldly fame and power as vain and unreliable. Ask God to give you the courage of Jehoiada to uphold the truth, bear responsibilities, and glorify God’s name in times of need.

 

HYMN:

“Voice of Truth” – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7kZ1dizcm30

Read chapter in full: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=2Chronicles+022

2 Chronicles Chapter 22 (ESV)

 

1 And the inhabitants of Jerusalem made Ahaziah, his youngest son, king in his place, for the band of men that came with the Arabians to the camp had killed all the older sons. So Ahaziah the son of Jehoram king of Judah reigned. 2 Ahaziah was twenty-two years old when he began to reign, and he reigned one year in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Athaliah, the granddaughter of Omri. 3 He also walked in the ways of the house of Ahab, for his mother was his counselor in doing wickedly. 4 He did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, as the house of Ahab had done. For after the death of his father they were his counselors, to his undoing. 5 He even followed their counsel and went with Jehoram the son of Ahab king of Israel to make war against Hazael king of Syria at Ramoth-gilead. And the Syrians wounded Joram, 6 and he returned to be healed in Jezreel of the wounds that he had received at Ramah, when he fought against Hazael king of Syria. And Ahaziah the son of Jehoram king of Judah went down to see Joram the son of Ahab in Jezreel, because he was wounded.

7 But it was ordained by God that the downfall of Ahaziah should come about through his going to visit Joram. For when he came there, he went out with Jehoram to meet Jehu the son of Nimshi, whom the Lord had anointed to destroy the house of Ahab.

 

REFLECTION:

It is wise to seek others’ advice but it is even more important as to whom you seek advice from. Ahaziah had courtiers but he only wanted to hear slanderous talks. He only sought advice from wicked people so he also did what was evil in the sight of the Lord and brought destruction to himself. Reflect who do you go to when you need to seek for advice. Are they godly and faithful Christians? When we listen to others’ advice, don’t forget to follow God’s will. In fact, seeking God’s will is the wisest choice to make. Examine yourself with God’s word and follow the principles in the Bible to guide all your actions.

 

PRAYER:

Come before God in silence, examine yourself whether the people you often seek advice or listen to are pleasing to God or not. Ask God to help you not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the way of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers; to give you a spiritual mentor and partner to guide you in your spiritual growth.

 

 

HYMN:

“Psalm 1” – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5sFYvu6h-Y

 

Read chapter in full: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=2Chronicles+021

 

2 Chronicles Chapter 21 (ESV)

1 Jehoshaphat slept with his fathers and was buried with his fathers in the city of David, and Jehoram his son reigned in his place. 2 He had brothers, the sons of Jehoshaphat: Azariah, Jehiel, Zechariah, Azariah, Michael, and Shephatiah; all these were the sons of Jehoshaphat king of Israel. 3 Their father gave them great gifts of silver, gold, and valuable possessions, together with fortified cities in Judah, but he gave the kingdom to Jehoram, because he was the firstborn. 4 When Jehoram had ascended the throne of his father and was established, he killed all his brothers with the sword, and also some of the princes of Israel. 5 Jehoram was thirty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned eight years in Jerusalem. 6 And he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, as the house of Ahab had done, for the daughter of Ahab was his wife. And he did what was evil in the sight of the Lord. 7 Yet the Lord was not willing to destroy the house of David, because of the covenant that he had made with David, and since he had promised to give a lamp to him and to his sons forever…

 

20 He was thirty-two years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eight years in Jerusalem. And he departed with no one’s regret. They buried him in the city of David, but not in the tombs of the kings.

 

 

REFLECTION:

1. Jehoram, the new king of Judah, took Athaliah, daughter of the incapable King Ahab of Israel, as wife. She later became the mother of Ahaziah, the next king of Judah (22:2). Athaliah’s mother Jezebel was the wickedest woman in the history of Israel. Jehoram’s marrying a wife led to the fall of Judah because Athaliah brought her mother’s evil customs to Judah, causing the people of Judah to forget about God and turn to worship Baal (22:3). Referring to this page in history, reflect on what lesson we Christians should learn on choosing our spouse nowadays.
2. The reign of Jehoram was marked with sins and cruelty. He married a woman who worshipped idols, killed his six brothers, and allowed people to worship idols; and God struck him in his bowels with an incurable disease (21:18-19). No one remembered him when he died. God may not punish sins immediately with dramatic action, however, any sin will be punished by God. Reflect on God’s unchanging righteousness. If we ignore God’s law, we will eventually receive God’s punishment and taste the bitter fruit of sin.

 

PRAYER:

Ask God to let you understand not to be unequally yoked with unbelievers. If you are not married, ask God to prepare a godly spouse for you; if you are married, ask God to help you glorify Him with your spouse in your marriage, and give you wisdom and love to advise your children on their marriage.

 

HYMN:

“Came to My Rescue” – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rWPABE3gycs

 

Read chapter in full: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=2Chronicles+020

 

2 Chronicles Chapter 20 (ESV)

1 After this the Moabites and Ammonites, and with them some of the Meunites, came against Jehoshaphat for battle. 2 Some men came and told Jehoshaphat, “A great multitude is coming against you from Edom, from beyond the sea; and, behold, they are in Hazazon-tamar” (that is, Engedi). 3 Then Jehoshaphat was afraid and set his face to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. 4 And Judah assembled to seek help from the Lord; from all the cities of Judah they came to seek the Lord…

 

13 Meanwhile all Judah stood before the Lord, with their little ones, their wives, and their children. 14 And the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, son of Benaiah, son of Jeiel, son of Mattaniah, a Levite of the sons of Asaph, in the midst of the assembly. 15 And he said, “Listen, all Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat: Thus says the Lord to you, ‘Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God’s…

 

22 And when they began to sing and praise, the Lord set an ambush against the men of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah, so that they were routed. 23 For the men of Ammon and Moab rose against the inhabitants of Mount Seir, devoting them to destruction, and when they had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir, they all helped to destroy one another.

24 When Judah came to the watchtower of the wilderness, they looked toward the horde, and behold, there were dead bodies lying on the ground; none had escaped.

 

REFLECTION:

1. Judah was facing national calamity. Jehoshaphat commanded all the people of Judah to fast before God for a period of time. They saved the time for preparing and eating meals to focus on self-examination and repentance, and asking God for help. Suffering of hunger makes us think about sin, reminds us of our weaknesses, and helps us to rely on God more. Fasting is still an effective means that helps us seek for God’s will in special situations nowadays. Have you experienced fasting and prayer? If not, will you consider to try it on praying for some important matter?
2. When enemies approached Judah, God spoke comforting words through Jahaziel, telling the people victory depends on God, not on man. Although we don’t have to fight our enemies with sword and gun nowadays, we have to battle with difficulties, pressure, and temptations from Satan. Satan wants us to rebel against God but please remember that as Christians, God’s spirit is dwelling in us. When we face struggles and ask God for help, He will fight for us and we are more than conquerors through Him. Are you in the midst of a spiritual battle? Have you asked God to fight this battle for you?

 

PRAYER:  

Cast all your weakness and burden to God and admit to God that your strength is very limited. Pray to God to let His power work freely within us so that we can have victory over our fear and weakness. Ask for God’s grace to help you fight your battle daily.

 

 

HYMN:

“In Christ Alone” – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWiFYJMGas0