Day 15 - 40 Days in the Old Testament
Dr Jim Brown's TruNorth Devotional
40 Days in the Old Testament
Day 15 | SOLOMON’S REIGN
40 Days in the Old Testament
Day 15 | SOLOMON’S REIGN
SOLOMON’S REIGN
2 Chronicles 7:14
“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” (NIV)
This book opens with Solomon coming to the throne before Israel splits into two kingdoms and before the captivity. Solomon started well and built the magnificent temple in Jerusalem to God… with the plans God gave to his father, David. Solomon eventually falls away and disobeys the Lord by marrying foreign women who turn his head towards other gods. The throne eventually falls to his son Rehoboam who is not qualified spiritually or with leadership skills. Then, Israel splits into the northern and southern kingdoms.
What is happening in First and Second Chronicles is that the “chronicler” (writer) is re-telling the history to prevent the people of God from repeating those wrong steps, which had disastrous consequences. God shows again that he rewards faithfulness to Him but judges betrayal and disobedience.
An important takeaway from these Chronicles – both first and second – and much like Psalm 1, is that God will not allow sin to stand but will reward faithfulness.
Our sinful human nature causes us to try and see what we can get away with. For many, that becomes a lifestyle. Many who have been to Sunday School or church when young decide later that there is no punishment coming their way for doing XYZ, which they were taught God considers sinful. So, they indulge and do what is wrong or perhaps even grossly wicked, don’t see any immediate retribution from God, figure they’ve gotten away with it, and continue doing that (or worse).
But God is NOT mocked. God DOES see all. Yes, God is patient towards us and God is LOVE. BUT God is also JUST. He requires justice.
Today’s verse is a KEY for those who desire our country to return to God and His ways. We need our land to be healed. And this verse teaches that it begins with us, God’s people. We must DO this verse and cry to God to heal our land.
Prayer: Please help me to do what I can to live right before You and to influence others to do the same. And LORD, please heal our land. Amen.
2 Chronicles 7:14
“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” (NIV)
This book opens with Solomon coming to the throne before Israel splits into two kingdoms and before the captivity. Solomon started well and built the magnificent temple in Jerusalem to God… with the plans God gave to his father, David. Solomon eventually falls away and disobeys the Lord by marrying foreign women who turn his head towards other gods. The throne eventually falls to his son Rehoboam who is not qualified spiritually or with leadership skills. Then, Israel splits into the northern and southern kingdoms.
What is happening in First and Second Chronicles is that the “chronicler” (writer) is re-telling the history to prevent the people of God from repeating those wrong steps, which had disastrous consequences. God shows again that he rewards faithfulness to Him but judges betrayal and disobedience.
An important takeaway from these Chronicles – both first and second – and much like Psalm 1, is that God will not allow sin to stand but will reward faithfulness.
Our sinful human nature causes us to try and see what we can get away with. For many, that becomes a lifestyle. Many who have been to Sunday School or church when young decide later that there is no punishment coming their way for doing XYZ, which they were taught God considers sinful. So, they indulge and do what is wrong or perhaps even grossly wicked, don’t see any immediate retribution from God, figure they’ve gotten away with it, and continue doing that (or worse).
But God is NOT mocked. God DOES see all. Yes, God is patient towards us and God is LOVE. BUT God is also JUST. He requires justice.
Today’s verse is a KEY for those who desire our country to return to God and His ways. We need our land to be healed. And this verse teaches that it begins with us, God’s people. We must DO this verse and cry to God to heal our land.
Prayer: Please help me to do what I can to live right before You and to influence others to do the same. And LORD, please heal our land. Amen.