Saturday, October 15

Today's reading from the Chronological OT/NT Reading Plan is 2 Chronicles 33-34; Acts 23:16-35

A few things that stuck out for me from today's passage:

Manasseh was 12 when he became king. Twelve. That's a year and a half older than my son right now. I can hardly get my son to clean his room right now, never mind run a country! I wonder how much his "evilness" had to do with the people surrounding him and his advisors rather than his malicious attempt to be evil. I'm not trying to lessen Manasseh's responsibility but I am trying to understand how much power a kid would have in such a prominant position. What is clear, is that regardless of whether Manasseh was following the directions of his advisors or whether he was acting alone, he was punished for his actions and his lack of obedience. Manasseh's punishment was severe and yet it caused him to repent and turn back to God. How many times is it in our own lives when we at our lowest of lows that we finally realize that we cannot do it without God. Sometimes it takes the hardships to bring us to that full understanding, just as it did for Manessah. Manessah was restored as king and he restored the things he had destroyed. What I found interesting is that it doesn't appear that Manessah taught his son, Amon, about the lessons he learned by trying to do his own thing. You'd think that because Manessah once sacrificed his own sons and changed to be a God-honouring king that it might have iniated a conversation with his son to not make the same mistakes. In fact, if Manessah would have continued with his previous ways, Amon may have been one of the sons sacrificed! I think that is a lesson to us as parents that we need to consciously remind our kids about the grace of God and His role in our whole life. We can't just show it in our actions in our work but we also need to say it, tell it, and demonstrate our committment to God in all things so that our children will know it is an important part of our lives and that they too might be drawn to God when we are no longer around.

Amon only reigned for 2 years and then his 8 year old son (now that is 2 years younger than my son!) and again I wonder if his ability to reign as God planned was of his own initiatve or that of his advisors and guardians. Regardless of what prompted the godly reign, God blessed and had mercy on His people for the sins of thos who came before Josiah. Josiah was a strong leader and verse 33 of chapter 35 says, "Josiah removed all the detestable idols from all the territory belonging to the Israelites, and he had all who were present in Israel serve the Lord their God. As long as he lived, they did not fail to follow the Lord, the God of their fathers." May we strive to be spiritual leaders like Josiah.

The passage in Acts reminds me, again, that God is in control. God allowed Paul's nephew to overhear a murder plot, He allowed the Centurion to have the desire to intervene on Paul's behalf, and He allowed the captain to believe Paul's nephew and to take action (involving nearly 500 men!) to make sure the murder plot was unsuccessful. It also reminds me that I could be a player in God's plan if I am receptive to His leading. We don't often see how our little role is a part of God's divine leading. Maybe we have a big role, like the nephew who notifies the Centurion of trouble that is coming. Are we listening? Are we willing to act? Are we brave enough to step out to act? Maybe we have a tougher task of notifiying a higher power, like the centurion who alerts his captain. Are we willing to get other people involved who can help? Are we strong enough to realize we cannot do it alone and that others with more expertise can help? Maybe we are the one that can help in a huge way, like the captain who motivated hundreds of people to keep Paul safe as he left town. Are we ready to make such a bold move for God? Are we willing to suffer the wrath from others who oppose us? (Forty people who are starving themselves may not be happy with a decision to move their intended target and may seek revenge.) Are we willing to make the effort to do something big? Or maybe our role is that of the 470 people that moved Paul. A seemingly insignificant role if you look at each person as an individual but taken as a crowd, it would allow Paul to arrive to his destination safely. How willing are we to submit to our role in God's plan for ourselves and for others?

Prayer:
Lord, Your word is amazing. Its deep knowledge and wisdom is timeless. We can sometimes forget the truths of Your word and by studying it, we are reminded again and again of how applicable Your word still is. Thank you for the reminders of how important it is to model Your grace and forgiveness and how to pass it on to the next generation. Help us to be the model You desire us to be for our children, our families, and those around us. Thank you for the reminder to be bold and assertive when we can help others to further Your kingdom. Help us to be confident for You.
Amen.

Tomorrow's passage: Zephaniah 1-3 - Acts 24