2 Chron. 15, 16 [The Message]

In spite of his impressive beginnings, King Asa seemed to have forgotten what God had and still wanted to do for him. He sought military support from the wrong places and ended up with disastrous results. God sent His prophets to warn and pronounce His judgements upon Asa. He died from a foot disease after a mostly successful 41 year reign.

It’s critical that we CONTINUE to seek the Lord’s help with everything that touches our lives. Paul chastened the Galatian church when he said, “Are you so foolish? Although you began with the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by human effort?” [Gal. 3:3 NET] This is a clear reason to MAINTAIN a sincere, dependent daily devotion time with the Lord. Talk to Him ALL THE TIME. Stay under the shelter of His Love and protection. He will keep you TO THE END.

2 Chron. 14. [The Message]

King asa of Judah pleased the Lord with his rule. He tore down the idle worship sites and encouraged all of Judah to serve the Lord and follow His ways. Because of this, God gave them rest from their troubles.

What a marvelous thought. Rest from our troubles. If you are serving the Lord now, God is sparing you from untold grief that is incurred when your ways do not please Him. I believe that when we get to heaven, God will run a replay reel of tragedies that were avoided because of His protection. Right now thank Him for His goodness to you and those you love..

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2 Chron. 13 [The Message]

The two factions of Israelites, Judah and Israel, lined up for war. King Abijah of Judah pled with Israel under Jeroboam to back off because they had forsaken God. He announced, “Listen! God is on our side, at our head, along with His priests, who are ready to sound the battle trumpets against you. So, Israelites, don’t fight against the Lord, the God of your ancestors, for you won’t succeed!” Mind you, Judah was outnumbered two to one. As he was speaking, Jeroboam sent an ambush party to their rear for a surprise attack. It didn’t work. Judah soundly defeated Israel because of God’s help.

When we are confronted with opposing forces who even appear twice as strong as we, trust in God to bring victory in spite of the odds. Always stand on the right side of the issues. You’ll be glad you did.

2 Chron. 11, 12 [The Message]

It seems that kings had an entitlement when it came to wives and concubines. In addition to their many wives, David (10), Solomon (300), Rehoboam (30), and other kings all had concubines who were not wives but fulfilled the purpose of producing heirs and increasing a families wealth. This was not God’s desired plan for marriage.

In the New Testament, Paul stated that church leaders were to be the husband of ONE wife. God gave Adam ONE wife, Eve. Christ takes to Himself ONE wife, the Church or Bride of Christ. A man is intended to give all his attention to ONE woman for life.

Because sin entered the world, God’s grace and mercy must heal and cover the abuses and excesses men take to themselves for not always the right reasons. Christ is the Perfect Husband and His love is perfect and forever. “Husbands, love your wives as Christ loves the Church.” [Eph. 5:25]

2 Chron. 10 [The Message]

When young King Rehoboam took the reins from his father Solomon, Jeroboam and all the rest of Israel wondered if he would be as demanding upon them as his father was. They wondered if the tax burden would continue to be high. Rehoboam consulted with his (should I say it? Liberal) young peers who all encouraged him to INCREASE the tax burden. They advised, “Tell the people that your little finger is thicker than your father’s waist. ‘My father thrashed you with whips, but I’ll beat you with bloody chains.'” This was NOT the message they wanted to hear, so Jeroboam and all the remaining tribes pulled out to form their own government.

In essence, Rehoboam had rejected the wise counsel given him by his father’s counselors … “If you will be a servant to this people, be considerate of their needs and respond with compassion, work things out with them, they’ll end up doing anything for you.” We have here a notable contrast in leadership styles.

Christ Jesus gives us the eternally BEST leadership style ever. He said, “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to Me. Get away with Me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with Me and work with Me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with Me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” [Matt. 11:28-30, The Message]

2 Chron. 8, 9 [The Message]

Solomon reigned for 40 years and had more wealth and power than any other autocratic ruler. Whatever he said was law. Whatever he wanted, he got. His was an amazing kingdom. The sky was the limit on his power and impact.

It’s scary when one person has that much power and influence. Everyone under them must suffer their whims and excesses. No thanks for me.

HOWEVER, there IS a coming King and Ruler that will be the consummate leader and autocrat; KING JESUS. All prior kings of the world will pale in quality and power to HIM. Solomon, as great, wise, and influential as he was will have been a feeble attempt at the model rule. Handel said it well when he wrote, “The kingdom of this world IS BECOME the Kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever. Christ Jesus is a King we can trust!

2 Chron. 7 ‘[The Message]

To complete a task an important part of life. Many are good starters, but how many strong finishers are there? King Solomon was a FINISHER. He completed the Temple for God’s glory and was rewarded with God’s Spirit like a cloud filling the inside of the building. God’s reward came AFTER its completion.

The Apostle Paul had some instructions on completion: “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.” [1 Cor. 9:24] “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:” [2 Tim. 4:7]

Christ Himself set the example for us. He said, “I have glorified thee (the Father) on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.” [Jn. 17:4] Again, He said, “For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him,  saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’ ” [Luke 14:28-30]

Parents can teach and develop the ability to complete tasks when they raise their children. (By the way, a task isn’t completed until the mess is cleaned up when it’s done.)

2 Chron. 6 [The Message]

In Solomon’s prayer at the dedication of the new Temple, he was mindful to ask God to hear the prayers of His People from Heaven. Solomon identified many of the challenges faced in life and asked God to work in the behalf of the people.

If there’s one thing I can recommend to those close to me, it’s that they learn to pray and do it often. Learning to and practicing prayer is a lifetime journey. Often it’s the ONLY thing we can do, and it’s the BEST thing we can do.

Pray in Jesus’ Name and BELIEVE.

2 Chron. 4, 5 [The Message]

Most would agree that gold is our most prized and valuable metal. It was EVERYWHERE in the Holy of Holies in Solomon’s Temple. Even the nails used were pure gold and weighed a pound apiece. There could not have been a more valuable room and furnishings. The Holy of Holies was the closest you could get to God in that day.

Gold speaks of purity and value. Whereas we don’t have rooms similar in our churches today, we figuratively put the greatest value on a close, worshipful experience with the Lord. Heat purifies and refines gold. We must experience God’s refinement process to have that close access to Him. [Matt. 5:8]

Find yourself in the fire? Hold on. Further refinement means a closer walk with Jesus.

2 Chron. 2, 3 [The Message]

No expense was spared by King Solomon as he built a house for God. Endless quantities of gold, silver, brass, valuable cedar wood etc. were all amassed and assembled by the finest craftsmen available. Nothing was too good for God.

It’s still true, but the excellence God really wants is in our lives … our motives, our thoughts, our deeds, our moral conviction. Since WE are His Temple, our daily existence is the work of art He is painting. We are His masterpiece. We will live forever.

 I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving. This also shall please the Lord better than an ox or bullock that hath horns and hoofs. [Ps. 69:30,31]