King Asa began well, but in the end of his reign, he relied upon resources other than the Lord. For instance, he became diseased in his feet.  He relied upon physicians rather than seeking the Lord. He also paid Ben Hadad, the king of Syria, to be his protection partner rather than trust the Lord. Because he didn’t rely upon God, the Lord allowed the disease in his feet to bring him down.

God needs to be the first call for help.

DAILY PRAYER: Lord, to whom can we turn beside You. Apart from You, we can do nothing. Today, we will abide in You.

DAILY READING: 2 Chron. 14-16

But we forsake Him. When we walk away from His commandments and daily relationship with Him, He anxiously waits for us to return. Jeremiah declared, “I have loved you with an everylasting love. Therefore I have continued My faithfulness to you.” [Jer. 31:3]

Paul echoed the Lord’s promise, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” [Heb. 13:5]

DAILY PRAYER: Lord, we have been unfaithful to You , but You remain faithful to us. Forgive us.

DAILY READING: 2 Chron. 11-13

Because of the supernatural wisdom God had given him, Solomon was able to answer every hard question asked by the Queen of Sheba who had come to see for herself the king she had heard so much about. Because of his wisdom, she noticed how joyfully happy everyone was that served in his kingdom.

Jesus, the ultimate Son of David, became the Wisdom of God to us. [1 Cor. 1:24,30] He answered every question posed to Him with answers that clarified and defined the Kingdom of God. His Spirit and His Word give us the mind of Christ. [1 Cor. 2:16]

DAILY PRAYER: Lord, we are desperate for life’s answers that can only come through You. That’s why we study Your Word and keep close to You through prayer and praise.

DAILY READING: 2 Chron. 8-10

Inside the Ark of the Covenant at the time of the dedication of Solomon’s temple were the tablets of stone upon which God had inscribed His Commandments … ONLY His Word.

God’s W0rd speaks to us of Christ Jesus. He was the Word of God incarnate. God’s presence and His Word are inseparable.  God and His Son, Christ Jesus, are inseparable. If you have Christ Jesus, you have the Father, and you love His Word. “He that has My commands and keeps them, he it is that loves Me.” [Jn. 14:21]

DAILY PRAYER: Lord, I love Your Word. Let it drive out all wrong thinking, and let it rule my daily life.

DAILY READING: 2 Chron. 5-7

God offered to Solomon anything he wanted. The young king requested wisdom. This answer pleased the Lord, so He gave him everything else too.

Solomon identified its importance when he said, “To start being wise you must first get wisdom. No matter what it costs, get understanding.” [Pr. 4:7]

DAILY PRAYER: Lord, forgive me for chasing other things. Fill me with Your wisdom for my daily life.

DAILY READING: 2 Chron. 1-4

David gave the plans for the temple to his son Solomon. He had been given the plan from God, because the hand of God had been up on him.

When fathers stay plugged in to God, he gives them plans and insights into the lives of their children for a prosperous future.

DAILY PRAYER: Lord, I ask for the very best for my children. Bless them with Your plan for their lives.

DAILY READING: 1Chron. 28,29

Upon considering the Levite duties and functions mentioned in 1st Chronicles, significant is the way children followed in the spiritual footsteps of their fathers. Although we are aware of the failings of Eli, Levi, and even David when noting rebellious sons, a spiritual culture here that was effectively influencing children to duplicate the faith of their parents is obvious.

Parents who demonstrate authentic Christian faith and service in their homes are likely to see their children and grandchildren following their spiritual footsteps. At life’s end, this is most rewarding.

DAILY PRAYER: Lord, grace us to place the spiritual development of our families above all the trivial and meaningless pursuits of this life. Stir us to pray daily for our children.

DAILY READING: 1 Chron. 25-27

Satan tempted David to sin by numbering the army of warriors in Israel. God wants us to trust in Him rather than numbers. The price to pay was enduring a plague among the people. David was forgiven because of the sacrifice for his sin, but suffering happened anyway.

Our sin can be forgiven, but consequences often cannot be stopped. The lesson learned; sin brings death and undesirable consequences, but following God’s ways is less painful.

DAILY PRAYER: Jesus, Your blood can cleanse us from our sin. Be merciful to us for our failures.

DAILY READING: 1 Chron. 20-22

Although God permitted David’s son, Solomon, to build a temple for worship, the real truth to be discovered is that God dwells in the hearts and lives of men rather than in brick and mortar buildings.

Jesus declared, “The kingdom of God is within you.” [Luke 17:21]

Paul related, “Don’t you know that YOU are the temple of God…?” [1 Cor. 3:16]

DAILY PRAYER: Lord, live in me today. Let Your Holy Spirit emanate from my life and touch others.

DAILY READING: 1 Chron. 17-19

When the Ark of the Covenant was being brought back to Israel, it was left at the home of Obed-Edom for 3 months. There its very presence caused blessing upon him and everyone associated with him.

God’s presence in our lives has that effect. We live under a cloud of God’s blessing. It’s His good pleasure to give us His Kingdom because He loves us.

DAILY PRAYER: Lord, as Your presence lived where the Ark was placed, so we invite Your presence today as we praise You.  You are GREAT!

DAILY READING: 1 Chron. 13-16