datethewordtest

Tag: 2 Chronicles

  • Verse to DATE the Word on December 6 (12/6) is 2 Chronicles 12:6

    “So the leaders of Israel and the king HUMBLED themselves;
    and they said, The LORD is righteous.” – 2 Chronicles 12:6
    Responding with Humility

    King Rehoboam not only had a huge EGO, but by my definition, he lived out the word EGO as he was constantly EDGING GOD OUT.  King Rehoboam and the various leaders of Israel had very little use for God.  Later in 2 Chronicles 12 we have a scathing description of him where the writer writes,  “And Rehoboam did evil because he did not prepare his heart to seek the LORD.”  (2 Chronicles 12:14)

    However, our verse to consider tells of a moment in time when King Rehoboam and those closest to him HUMBLED themselves.  The context of such action comes as God has had enough of their arrogance and is sending the Egyptians to plunder Jerusalem.  2 Chronicles 12:5 tells us, “Then Shemaiah the prophet came to Rehoboam and the leaders of Judah, who were gathered together in Jerusalem because of Shishak, and said to them, thus says the LORD: You have forsaken Me, and therefore I also have left you in the hand of Shishak.” Upon hearing how they had forsaken God there is a response of HUMILITY and HONESTY.  Instead of blatantly refusing to acknowledge God’s authority they (the king and the leaders) acknowledge the superiority of God and that He is right and they are wrong.   

    As believers, we are called to live humble lives.
    James 4:10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.
    1 Peter 5:5 Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to [your] elders. Yes, all of [you] be submissive to one another and be clothed with humility, for  God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble. 
    1 Peter 5:6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time,

    While we should be striving to live humble lives and keep our EGO (Edging God Out) in check there will be times where pride and arrogance carry the day.  Edging God Out leads to sin as we are not going to let Him tell us how to live.  As we are convicted of our sin(s) we need to repent and repentance starts with humility.  In our verse, we see the acknowledgment of God’s rightful place as they declare “THE LORD IS RIGHTEOUS.”  This was a complete change of heart.   

    What are you doing with your EGO?  Edging God Out or Exalting God Only?   

    Our verse to DATE the Word on December 6 (12/6) is 2 Chronicles 12:6. It says, “So the leaders of Israel and the king HUMBLED themselves; and they said, The LORD is righteous.”

    God honors the humble and He humbles those who honor themselves.  

    Continue Strong clothed with humility (1 Peter 5:5),
    And remember to DATE the Word

  • Verse to DATE the Word on August 16 (8/16) is 2 Chronicles 8:16

    “Now all the work of Solomon was well-ordered from the day of the
    foundation of the house of the LORD until it was finished. So, the
    house of the LORD was completed. – 2 Chronicles 8:16
    The work was WELL-ORDERED!

    The analysis of Solomon’s work in carrying out the assignment of building the temple is that it was well-ordered. What a magnificent description of the diligence and dedication to doing God’s work. It reminds me of a few quotes such as “failure to plan is planning to fail,” “preparation precedes performance,” and “autograph your work with excellence.”  

    How would you define WELL-ORDERED?  What does it look like in your home?  In your work?  In your church? What does it look like in your life?

    As we consider 2 Chronicles 8:16 let us ask a few introspective questions;
    Do you go about your day taking actions that are WELL-ORDERED? 
    Are you BEGINNING WITH THE END IN MIND?
    Are you purposefully PLANNING?  You plan your work and then work your plan.
    Have you counted the COST?
    Are you scheduling TIME to schedule your TIME?

    As a reminder of being well-ordered in your actions please recall Colossians 3:17 as it says, “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”
    As a reminder recall 1 Corinthians 14:40  Let all things be done decently and in order.
    As a reminder recall Proverbs 22:29  “Do you see a man who excels in his work? He will stand before kings; He will not stand before unknown men.”

    WELL-ORDERED!!!  A great description that I trust is being used of you and your life, your work, and your ministry!   However, with this devotion, you may want to ask what adjustments may be needed to help you be more WELL-ORDERED.

    Verse to DATE the Word on August 16 (816/) is 2 Chronicles 8:16. It says, “Now all the work of Solomon was well-ordered from the day of the foundation of the house of the LORD until it was finished. So the house of the LORD was completed.”

    I heard John Maxwell say in a leadership conference “All’s well that ….”  How do we finish that statement?  All’s well that ends well is what we usually say.  But then Dr. Maxwell said, “All’s well that BEGINS well.” 

    Continue Strong with well-ordered actions,
    And remember to DATE the Word

  • Verse to DATE the Word on July 14 (7/14) is 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 will forgive their sin and heal their land.” – 2 Chronicles 7:14
    A RECIPE for REVIVAL

    While 2 Chronicles 7:14 is very much a verse that speaks to the nation of Israel it offers a recipe for personal revival.  As we are prone to wander from the God we love, we also have an invitation to return to Him where He receives us and restores us.  

    For this return to happen there will need to be several changes beginning with one humbling themselves.  This mindset moves one from arrogance and pride, a spirit of I am right, and I know it all, to now acknowledging that God is right.  The ultimate acknowledgment is that YOU ARE NOT GOD, HE IS GOD, and GOD ALONE.  For one to return to God and His paths of righteousness one will need to repent.  Repenting means one is acknowledging they are WRONG.  To admit one is wrong calls for one to humble themselves.  

    From humbling oneself one now prays.  Why is this significant?  It means one is moving from independence of God to dependence on God.  

    Now the returner seeks God’s face.  To seek His face means one wants to know God.  To seek and see His face brings about WORSHIP!  The returner now offers praise to God.  

    Seeking the face of God also brings about a fresh awareness of our sinfulness that sparks a desire to turn from our wicked ways.  Seeking and seeing His face brings about a fresh view of God’s holiness and in seeing God’s holiness one is going to want to renounce wickedness.  As the prophet Isaiah sees God and hears the worship of HOLY HOLY HOLY he not only confessed his sin but within the confession was a desire to be cleansed.  

    2 Chronicles 7:14 is laying out for us the ability to experience personal revival.  The believer now walks humbly with God, depending on the Lord, seeking His face, and departing from sin. in doing this one becomes a useful vessel that is desiring to be used by God.  

    Are you in need of a personal revival?   Are you away from God?   Are you filled with arrogance and pride where you hold a view that you know better than God?  Are you seeking your own agenda?  Are you practicing wickedness?   Put into action 2 Chronicles 7:14 and God will forgive you and restore you!

    Verse to DATE the Word on July 14 (7/14) is 2 Chronicles 7:14. It says, “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 will forgive their sin and heal their land.”

    Personal note: As I grew up our church would have “revival” services each summer. I knew that there would be two songs sung each night. Revive Us Again before the preaching and Have Thine Own Way after the preaching. Maybe I simplify it too much but a take on 2 Chronicles 7:14 is LORD, HAVE THINE OWN WAY with me.