I Chronicles 4-6

They cried out to [God] during the battle. He answered their prayers because they trusted in him” (5:20). Within the tragic story of Israel’s persistent rebellion which led to exile, Chronicles tells us of micro-stories in which individuals and families did what was right in God’s eyes. The “Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh” together had thousands of warriors who were “trained for battle” (5:18). When they faced their enemies, the key to their victory was not their skill, but their trust in God (5:20).

“The battle was God’s” (5:22). No matter the trouble or chaos in the world, we have a daily opportunity to give our full trust and allegiance to the Lord.

I Chronicles 1-3

“Adam, Seth, Enosh, Kenan, Mahalalel, Jared, Enoch, Methuselah, Lamech, Noah ...” (1:1). Chronicles opens not just with the story of Israel, but the story of all humanity, starting with Adam. While the author focuses on Jacob/Israel’s descendants (2:1) and their special history, the perspective is global. The children of Hagar and Keturah (Abraham’s concubines) are mentioned, and Esau’s line (ch 1). Naming these non-Hebrew peoples reminds us of God’s promise to Abraham that “all peoples on earth will be blessed through you” (Genesis 12:3).

God’s faithful love to Israel spilled over to bless the whole world. “He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:14).

II Kings 24-25

“He set fire to the temple of the Lord, the royal palace and all the houses of Jerusalem. Every important building he burned down” (25:9). The end of the book of Kings describes what happened when Judah, like northern Israel earlier, turned away from God’s covenant. The Babylonian empire took control of the land, then besieged and destroyed Jerusalem and took the people into exile. Because they rejected God’s protection and authority, they had no power to withstand their enemies.

“So Judah went into captivity, away from her land” (21). Sin drives us into exile from the Lord, but he desires our repentance and restoration. He is the Redeemer who rescues us and brings us home.

Acts 26

“Short time or long—I pray to God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am” (29). Paul had no desire to die; he “appealed to Caesar” to avoid being transferred back to Jerusalem where his enemies waited (ch 25). Standing before a king and a governor, Paul’s main desire was to share the good news about Jesus, in that moment, and always. Knowing King Agrippa was Jewish, Paul appealed to the Messianic hope that had been fulfilled in Christ (22-23).

“So I stand here and testify to small and great alike ...” (22). Secure in Christ, we have purpose beyond our own freedom, comfort, or prosperity: we live for his glory.

Acts 25

“They requested Festus, as a favor to them, to have Paul transferred to Jerusalem, for they were preparing an ambush to kill him along the way” (3). Paul’s unwavering testimony about Jesus had provoked a severe reaction. Some of the “chief priests and Jewish leaders” wanted to kill him, just as Paul himself had breathed out “murderous threats” against believers before his own conversion. Although Paul was not involved in violence or rebellion (18-19), his allegiance to Jesus threatened religious and government authorities.

The truth about “a dead man named Jesus who Paul claimed was alive” (19) is enough to change our lives and turn the world upside down. Jesus is King above all powers.

Psalm 69

“Save me, O God, for the waters have come up to my neck” (1). The psalmist cried out when he was in “deep waters,” feeling overwhelmed by his troubles. He was “forced to restore what he did not steal” (4), and he endured insults, scorn, and shame from others (7-12). Even though he himself was part of the problem (5), God’s mercy and help were available. “I pray to you, Lord, in the time of your favor; in your great love, answer me” (13).

When we feel that we are sinking, losing our foothold in the swirling waters of life, we can pray: “Answer me, Lord, out of the goodness of your love; in your great mercy turn to me” (16).

II Kings 22-23

“When the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, he tore his robes” (22:11). Young King Josiah, despite his terrible father, desired to lead righteously. During renovations to the temple, God’s Law was found, and Josiah grieved when he realized how far God’s people had fallen. He gathered everyone and “read in their hearing all the words of the Book of the Covenant” (23:2), and immediately began reforming Judah. He got rid of the idolatrous images from God’s temple, burned them, and tore down pagan altars (23:4).

“Because your heart was responsive ...” (22:19). Confronted with truth, Josiah repented. God is merciful, reaching out with truth and grace, giving us a chance to return to him.

II Kings 20-21

“He took the carved Asherah pole he had made and put it in the temple ...” (21:7). King Manasseh of Judah rejected the righteous example of his father Hezekiah. He worshipped idols, and he even set up their pagan altars in Jerusalem’s temple, the place where God had said “I will put my Name” (21:4,7). King Manasseh shed “innocent blood” and the people followed him into idolatry, (21:16), leading the prophets to declare that Judah too would be defeated and exiled (21:12-15).

“In this temple ... I will put my Name forever” (21:7). We are not worthy, but God’s desire is to be with us. Through Jesus, he purifies us from our idolatry so that his Spirit can dwell among us.

II Kings 17-19

“They followed worthless idols and themselves became worthless” (17:15). The author of Kings explained why northern Israel was conquered by the Assyrians and sent into exile. They rejected God and turned to idols, ignoring the warnings of God’s prophets (17:7-13). Following idols had terrible consequences: “they sacrificed their sons and daughters in the fire. They practiced divination and sought omens and sold themselves to do evil ...” (17:17). Meanwhile, in Judah, when threatened by the Assyrians, King Hezekiah “trusted in the Lord” (18:5, ch 19).

“On what are you basing this confidence of yours?” (18:19). If our deep confidence is in the Lord, we won’t lean on the world’s idols for our security. He is all we need.

Acts 24

ACTS 24 WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 8

“However, I admit that I worship the God of our ancestors as a follower of the Way, which they call a sect ...” (14). Defending himself, Paul explained that he “believed everything that is in accordance with the Law and that is written in the Prophets” (15), just as the Jewish men accusing him did. However, Paul believed the God of Abraham had revealed himself in Jesus the Messiah, the Way. Paul’s message disturbed people, including the governor Felix, because Jesus’ Way involved everything: “righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come” (25).

The Way of Jesus turns the violent, greedy, power-seeking kingdom of the world upside down, disturbing all human priorities. He calls us to full allegiance to his Lordship

Acts 23

“The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome” (11). God’s mission to spread the good news about Jesus from Jerusalem to “the ends of the earth” could not be stopped by angry mobs, religious leaders, or government officials. Forty men were involved in a plot to kill Paul (12), but Paul’s nephew overheard and thwarted their plan (16). Nothing could stop Paul from accomplishing God’s will: to witness about Jesus, all the way to Rome.

“I have fulfilled my duty to God ...” (1). Committed completely to Jesus, we can trust that God will accomplish his purposes in and through us.

Acts 22

“Then Paul said: “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city. I studied under Gamaliel and was thoroughly trained in the law of our ancestors. I was just as zealous for God as any of you are today” (2-3). Paul explained to the mob who wanted to kill him that he understood their perspective. He, too, had been completely mistaken about God (4), until he personally met Jesus. Paul’s message made it clear that law and heritage couldn’t save them. Their reaction was outrage (22).

“I am Jesus of Nazareth ...” (8). Being “zealous” for our religion won’t save use or bring transformation (3). We need a heart-encounter with the living Jesus.

Psalm 68

“Summon your power, God; show us your strength, our God, as you have done vbefore” (28). The psalmist celebrated God as the divine Warrior who rides to the rescue of his people (4,7,33). He is not distant; from Sinai through the wilderness and into the Promised Land, he faithfully led his people (7-10). The Lord fights for the vulnerable and cares for our needs; he is “a father to the fatherless, a defender of widows,” and the God who “sets the lonely in families (5-6).

“Our God is a God who saves; from the Sovereign Lord comes escape from death” (20). From the terrible dangers of sin to the pitfalls of loneliness, God in Christ comes to our rescue.

Psalm 67

The writer of this Psalm, again unknown, sees God’s gracious blessings on the nation of Israel (and on believers) as reflecting God’s plan to save all nations, v2. The repeated call for praise, “Let the people praise thee,” assures us of benefits, including the fair judgements of God – benefits we desperately need.

Why does praise affect our daily lives so powerfully? Because mindful, thoughtful praise indicates our focus on Christ. It aligns us with what He is doing. We cannot help but be blessed.

II Kings 14-16

These three chapters cover the tenure of ten kings. Three, all kings of Judah, were essentially righteous, yet the end of the lives of several were tragic. The other seven, all kings of Israel, were evil. All were manipulative, machinate and conspiratorial; some were wise for a season, some were unimaginably foolish.

These chapters encourage by reminding us that God works in real circumstances and people. They tell us how God “feels” about some things, and remind us that life is experienced differently if it is lived differently – especially if one seeks to “follow” God. And the clearest lesson is that of a God who loves the humble, judges evil but receives the penitent.

II Kings 12,13

This chapter addresses the life of Jehoash (Joash, II Chr. 24:1) from the age of seventeen. He had been made king at the age of seven (II Kgs 11:21) under the tutelage of the priest, Jehoiada, and as long as he received instruction from him, he did what was right (12:2). But even in the rebuilding of the temple there is arrogance, not humility. At the death of Jehoiada, all constraint was gone, and Jehoash even killed the sons of Jehoiada.

Being king at seven is not an accomplishment, but an opportunity. Opportunity carries responsibility. We easily see Jehoash’s profligacy of life. Though none of us have had the particular opportunity of Jehoash, nevertheless, ours can be equally wasted. The temptation is never far from all of us. Protection is in humility and gratitude before God.

II Kings 10,11

There is not a bloodier portion in the records of the kings of Israel than these chapters. 2 Kings 10:1-17 records the killing of the seventy sons of Ahab under the leadership of Jehu. Verses 18-27 record Jehu’s effort to eradicate Baal worship from the land. In both of these, Jehu was being obedient. For the obedience, God told him his sons for four generations would rule Israel. But after being obedient, Jehu (v31) “was not careful to walk in the Law of the Lord.” In fact, he himself worshiped idols. And so God removed His promise.

God can, and does use “less-than-perfect” people, but not even outward obedience takes the place of a heart after God.

Acts 21

Some decisions are driven by circumstances; others have the power of permanence that keep us from becoming victims subordinated to circumstance. Paul’s decision concerning the relatively limited value of his life (20:24) freed him to face whatever would come (21:13). Paul never suggested their warnings were wrong in substance, but only that God’s purpose was greater than Paul’s safety. His insistence, in spite of the continual warnings (21:4,11,12), finally silenced the well-meaning, but short-sighted friends.

There are many lessons but at least two we cannot avoid. The first is that each of us must follow Christ according to His Word and the Holy Spirit, but without expecting or demanding that all others always agree with how we do so. The second is our need to be fully committed to Christ. This second lesson must be the foundation of all others.

Acts 20

Pragmatism states that practical consequences determine the essential criterion of an action. Luke 14:28 (on tower-building) suggests its place in decision-making. The problem with pragmatism is not its process, but what are considered desirable consequences.

Paul changed plans (Acts 20:3) when he heard of a plot against him, yet he pursued his plans to go to Jerusalem (vs 22-24) in spite of the continuing message of the Holy Spirit that “bonds and afflictions” awaited him. John 14:29 indicates that what God tells us is not necessarily so that we will escape difficulties, but “so that when it happens, you (we) may believe.”

Psalm 66

This Psalm, author unknown, has four divisions, strophes, the first three ending with the musical mark, Selah. Verses 1-4 are a call to whole-hearted praise: “Shout joyfully to God, all the earth!” We are then (verses 5-7) invited to, “Come and see,” the awesome works of God, works of deliverance.

The challenge, however, is when the writer includes God’s disciplines, not necessarily punishments, of Israel as worthy of praise. “You have tried us, O God; you have refined us as silver is refined (v10, fr. 8-15). And finally, v16, “Come and hear.” All of God’s deeds are worthy of our attention and our praise.