Monday, March 29, 2021

2 Chronicles 36 Devotional Thoughts by Stephen Taylor

2 Chronicles 36:15-16

“The LORD, the God of their ancestors, sent word to them through his messengers again and again, because he had pity on his people and on his dwelling place. But they mocked God's messengers, despised his words and scoffed at his prophets until the wrath of the LORD was aroused against his people and there was no remedy.”

The writer of Ecclesiastes says there is nothing new under the sun, and after reading these verses this morning, I can’t help but think this is us! This is God speaking to His people, not foreigners or a people who don’t know Him but the people He redeemed and restored numerous times! His loving persistence and patience here are mind-blowing, but you see that eventually, enough is enough, and I can’t help but wonder how close we are to being in the same boat.

God is merciful beyond our comprehension, but He is also a just and righteous God! How long as a body of believers can we straddle the fence and play both sides? I believe the answer is until God stops trying to rescue us from our sin and starts to refine and purify us through it! His people have to humble themselves and repent! That’s me and you!!!

The end of that verse is so scary to me: “there was no remedy.” Now, we who believe in Jesus know that we can and will be forgiven for all our sins if we confess, believe, and accept Him as Lord and Savior of our lives, but we still have consequences for our actions and sometimes, the price is steep. God eventually delivers and redeems His people, but they could have avoided a lot of heart ache, pain, and turmoil had they just listened and repented!!!!

God has more love for us in His pinky than we can even fathom, but if we want to experience it fully, then we have to fully surrender to Him!

The Holy Spirit led me to end with this verse and remember that this is Jesus talking to a church, a body of believers that probably thought they had it all figured out but couldn’t be more wrong!

Revelation 3:20: Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.

I love you all, but God loves you way more, and He proved it by sending His Son to die for your sins and then raised Him on the third day for our justification! Ask the Holy Spirit to lead you into all truth and fill your hearts with wisdom!!!

Glory, Honor, and Praise today, tomorrow, and for all eternity to Papa God, King Jesus, and the Holy Spirit!

 

 

2 Chronicles 36:15-16

The LORD, the God of their ancestors, sent word to them through His messengers again and again because He had pity on His people and on His dwelling place. But they mocked God’s messengers, despised his words, and scoffed at His prophets until the wrath of the LORD was aroused against His people, and there was no remedy.

 

This second part is extremely scary, but as scary as it is, the Holy Spirit used it and the ones around it to show me something this morning: 2 Chronicles has 36 chapters, and only 8 verses on the exile and subsequent punishment for the Israelites disobedience and idolatry. He showed me that the 36 outweigh the 8. Let me explain.

 

He gives us 36 chapters on what to do and what not to do. How to repent, how to walk in obedience, the consequences for disobedience, His mercy and His grace, and so much more! But He only reserves 8 verses for the punishment. So, what does that tell me? That God is much more interested in us getting it right and serving Him wholeheartedly than punishing us at the end. Will there be punishment for disobedience and sin? Yes. But is that what God desires, or does He desire our full surrender and obedience to Him? He wants us to get it right, and the only way we can is by accepting Christ and being filled with the Holy Spirit.

 

Most of the kings in this book, which spans from Solomon to the exile, wouldn’t fully surrender and repent, which left the door open for their downfall. What amazes me is that some of the evilest kings (Ahab and Manasseh) humbled themselves one time, and the Lord took notice. How much more do you think He will pay attention to those of us who are covered by the blood of His Son? How we respond to sin can determine how we spend this life and the next. Look how King Josiah responded when confronted with the Law and their sin:

 

2 Chronicles 34:19 - When the king heard the words of the Law, he tore his robes.

 

Could we be people like that? A people desperate for the Lord and the salvation that only He brings? Jesus was condemned for our sins so that our sins couldn’t condemn us, but we have to humble ourselves and turn to Him! Thank You, Jesus!

 

James 4:10 - Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.

 

God bless! I love you all! Glory, Honor, and Praise now and forever to Papa God, Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world, and the Holy Spirit who will lead us daily!

 

 

 

 

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