Chronicles 15-16

“The Lord is with you when you are with him. If you seek him, he will be found by you ...” (15:2). For a while, King Asa listened to the prophet Azariah and led the people in seeking the Lord. This “seeking” was not only an inward repentance, but it was also about learning God’s ways (15:3), tearing down idols (15:8), and returning to worship (15:11-14). Another crucial component was trusting the Lord alone to be Israel’s defender and protector; sadly, King Asa lacked this level of trust (16:7-9).

“They sought God eagerly, and he was found by them” (15:15). God desires that we seek him – with our hearts, and also by turning our whole lives in his direction.

Romans 13

“The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light” (12). Because Jesus has won the battle and his day of salvation is already dawning, Paul said that we should “wake up” and behave decently. Rather than sowing discord and trouble, we should respect the law (1-5), pay taxes (6), and most importantly, love our neighbor as ourselves (9). As we imitate Christ (14), we bring him honor.

“...wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed” (11). Rather than wasting time, our short lives are best spent “awake”, pouring out our hearts and energy for Jesus’ kingdom.

Romans 12

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is ...” (2). After reminding Jewish and Gentile believers that they were equally saved by grace (ch9-11), Paul urged them to turn away from the competitive, critical spirit of the world and instead to conform to God’s will for his people (1). This included recognizing each other’s unique gifts (6), loving each other sincerely (9), and sharing and practicing hospitality (13).

“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer” (12). Believing in God’s abundant grace frees us to live joyfully for the Lord and one another.

Psalm 78

“I will utter hidden things ... things our ancestors have told us” (2-3). The psalmist had no interest in recounting fictional “good old days”. Instead, the psalmist told the real story of how previous generations of Israelites rebelled in the wilderness, even though the Lord had demonstrated his love and faithfulness. “In spite of his wonders, they did not believe” (32). The psalmist told the truth about history, good and bad, so that the next generation “would put their trust in God and would not forget his deeds” (7).

“He divided the sea and led them through ...” (13). The true story of humanity is not about our achievements, but about God’s great mercy and his desire to save us.

II Chronicles 13-14

“There was war between Abijah and Jeroboam” (13:2). After Rehoboam’s death, his son Abijah became king of Judah, and Jeroboam was king of Israel (the northern kingdom). God had allowed Jeroboam to challenge unwise King Rehoboam, but Jeroboam went too far and led the northern kingdom away from God by removing priests (13:9). As civil war erupted, Abijah reminded the northern kingdom that God is the “leader” of His people and should not be forsaken (13:10-12).

“God is with us; he is our leader” (13:12). Jeroboam’s decision to push out God’s priests led to a loss of his power. God calls us to recognize that he is our King; we are secure and at peace when we honor him, not ourselves.

II Chronicles 10-12

“So the king did not listen to the people ...” (10:15). Upon Solomon’s death, his son Rehoboam became king. Unfortunately, King Rehoboam rejected wise counsel and the voice of the people (10:13,15), leading to a rebellion. From this time forward, the twelve tribes were split between the northern kingdom (Israel) and the southern kingdom (Judah) (10:19). Although Rehoboam made some savvy decisions (11:23) and showed some residual good (12:12), he ultimately abandoned the law of God (12:1) and did “not set his heart on seeking the Lord” (12:14).

“Because they had been unfaithful to the Lord ...” (12:1). Half-hearted commitment to the Lord leads to disintegrating faith and chaotic lives, but being “all-in” with Jesus means “life to the full” (John 10:10).

II Chronicles 8-9

“All Solomon’s work was carried out, from the day the foundation of the temple of the Lord was laid until its completion” (8:16). By completing the temple and systematizing its worship, Solomon’s reign was solidified. Queen Sheba’s visit, representing a global economic power, spoke to Solomon’s growing fame for his “achievements and wisdom” (9:5). Queen Sheba acknowledged the source of Solomon’s success by declaring that it was God who “placed [Solomon] on the throne” (9:8).

“Praise be to the Lord your God!” (9:8). God blessed Solomon extravagantly for Israel’s sake. God loves his people and calls us all to live for his kingdom of “justice and righteousness” (9:8), for our well-being and his glory.

Romans 11

“Did they stumble so as to fall beyond recovery?” (11). Though Paul grieved that many Jews did not receive Jesus as Messiah, he knew that God’s grace was still reaching out (11). He reminded both Jew and Gentile that it is unbelief that cuts them off from the family “tree” (20). Whether natural (Jewish) or grafted branches (Gentile), we are accepted by grace (6). We all have sinned, but God works in all “so that he may have mercy on them all” (3:32-33).

“You do not support the root, but the root supports you” (18). We don’t hold up the world; God does. No matter our background or history, we are eternally supported by the kindness of God in Christ.

Romans 10

“Christ is the culmination of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes” (4). Paul reminds us that access to “righteousness” is not gained by effort nor “zeal,” but rather comes by surrendering to Jesus, who fulfills the law for us (4). Salvation is not something far away but is “near you” (8), and it is available to “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord” (13).

When we sincerely “believe in the heart” and confess with our mouths that Jesus is Lord, God accepts us (9). Jesus’ righteousness continues to uphold us; his grace does not run out. We are called to share this great news with the world (15).

Romans 9

Paul’s mission is to the Gentiles, but he has “anguish in his heart” (2) for his Jewish kin. He argues that “physical descent” was never the criteria for being God’s people, but rather “promise” (8). Neither Jew nor Gentile can approach God on merit, for salvation is “not dependent on human desire or effort, but on God’s mercy” (16).

The radical basis of our faith is that God doesn’t judge us according to our sin, but has chosen mercy through Christ instead. Therefore, we are free from the burden of proving our worth to God. When we least expected or deserved it, by his mercy he has called us “the children of the living God” (26).

Psalm 77

“You are a God who performs miracles” (14). The psalmist is “distressed” and “faint.” He cries out for help (1) and in his pain wonders if God’s “unfailing love vanished forever” (8). In the middle of his doubts, he “remember(s) the deeds of the Lord” (11). As he recalls God’s great rescue of Israel from Egypt through the waters of the Red Sea (19), his faith is renewed, and he meditates on the Lord’s “mighty deeds” (12).

When we face difficulties and doubts, we meditate on God’s greatest mighty deed – the cross. We remain confident that “He did not spare his own Son” will also “graciously give us all things” (Romans 8:32).

Psalm 76

“God is renowned in Judah ... there he broke the flashing arrows” (1-3). Our Lord has no rivals. The “weapons of war” (3) are futile against him, and no warrior can “lift hands” (5) against the Creator of all things. Knowing that nothing and no one “can stand before” him (7), it is wise to “bring gifts” (11) to the King of Kings.

“You are radiant with light” (4). Because God is full of light, love, and power, we can fully commit ourselves (“make vows”, 11) to Jesus and his kingdom. We can serve him with courage, knowing he is victorious over every enemy; through Christ he has brought salvation (9) and has conquered sin and death.

II Chronicles 6-7

“The heavens, even the highest heavens, cannot contain you. How much less this temple I have built” (6:18). Solomon led God’s people in the finished temple’s dedication. He recognized that in spite of temple’s splendor, it was only holy because God chose to “put his name there” (6:20). In his dedicatory prayer, Solomon’s repeated refrain was that God would “hear from heaven ... and when you hear, forgive” (6:21, etc).

Because God keeps his “covenant of love” (6:14), we know that he forgives and hears our prayers. Through the final covenant based on Jesus, we can “approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace” (Heb 4:16).

II Chronicles 3-5

“He paneled the main hall with juniper and covered it with fine gold and decorated it with palm tree and chain designs” (3:5). The temple was constructed with the finest materials, costly dyes of “blue, purple and crimson” (3:14). Even the temple tools were crafted from “polished bronze” (4:16). The day of the temple’s opening was filled with so many sacrifices “that they could not be ... counted” (5:6). No expense was spared to honor the Lord.

“His love endures forever” (5:13). God doesn’t need our gold or our sacrifices, but extravagant worship is how we respond to the God of extravagant love. When we offer our whole lives in praise, he comes to dwell among us (Rom 12:1; II Chron 5:14).

II Chronicles 1-2

“Solomon ... established himself firmly over his kingdom, for the Lord his God was with him” (1:1). Solomon rose to the throne and became “great” because God was with him. His request for wisdom to lead the people pleased God, (1:11-12) and his rule gained fame and favor as others recognized that he was blessed by God with “intelligence and discernment” (2:12).

“Since this is your heart’s desire ...” (1:11). Real success, in God’s eyes, comes when our “heart’s desire” aligns with God’s character and purposes. Life is truly rich when we live in the presence of Jesus, who promised that if we “seek first his kingdom,” all things will be given to us (Matthew 6).

Romans 8

“The law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death” (2). Paul says, we live not by the weak flesh but by the new way of the Spirit. Paul reassures us that “the Spirit of Christ is in us” (11); we have the “adoption of sonship” (15). We have the Spirit as “first fruits” (23), God’s guarantee that we will see the “freedom and glory of God’s children” (21).

“Those he called ... he also glorified” (30). While we may wish that our freedom from sin’s influence was instantaneous, we can be sure that Jesus is completing his work in us. By his unfailing love, we are “more than conquerors” (37).

Romans 7

“You also died to the law through the body of Christ” (4). Paul argues that we are “dead” to the law, the OT covenant. The law was good (7,12) but it can’t end sin’s reign in our lives. Paul points us to the “new way of the Spirit” which is far better than the “old way of the written code” (6). Personal will or gumption alone cannot fight sin’s sway over us (17). But Jesus has not left us as prisoners to sin, but he delivers us (25).

“Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (25). Rather than fighting against sin alone, we nourish our life in the Spirit, who makes transformation possible.

Psalm 75

“It is I who judge with equity” (2). The psalmist tells us that only God is capable of perfect justice, and he has matters under control. He is at work, “bring(ing) one down” and “exalting another” (7). Because his righteous judgement is already in motion (8), we don’t need to worry that wrong will win or evil flourish. We can be full of praise (1,9) because all of his deeds are good (9).

“I will sing praise” (9). We don’t need to live in fear or anger, thinking that evil has the upper hand. Jesus is in charge. We can trust his rule and look “forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells” (2 Pet 3:13).

I Chronicles 27-29

“But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand” (29:14). At the height of Israel’s power, David remembered that they owed God everything; by themselves, they were “foreigners and strangers” with no claim to anything (29:15). Their ability to build a magnificent Temple came from God’s blessing; knowing this, the people gave “freely and whole-heartedly” (29:9).

“Yours, Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory ... for everything in heaven and earth is yours” (29:11). We can live “freely and whole-heartedly”, generously, because our security comes from God, who owns it all.

I Chronicles 23-26

“The duty of the Levites was to help Aaron’s descendants in the service of the temple of the Lord” (23:28). The building of the Temple in Jerusalem meant that the priests and Levites could fulfill their permanent roles. The priests offered regular sacrifices, and their Levite assistants worked as guards (26:19), musicians, and prophets (25:1); some handled the sacred bread (ch 23), and the treasuries (26:20). Israel’s people and most precious resources were dedicated to one thing: worshiping and serving the Creator who had saved them.

“They were also to stand every morning to thank and praise the Lord ...” (23:30). Rather than being an addition to our lives, the right place for God is at the center.