Monday, July 13, 2015

PASSOVER

Today’s Reading: 2 Chronicles 35

Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).

 

The Great Sphinx of Giza, commonly referred to as the Sphinx, is a limestone statue of a reclining or couchant sphinx that stands on the Giza Plateau on the west bank of the Nile in Giza, Egypt. In today’s reading, King Josiah unwisely decides to pick a fight with an Egyptian Pharaoh.

GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.

 

Key Verses: 2 Chronicles 35:1, 22b

Now Josiah kept a Passover to the Lord in Jerusalem, and they slaughtered the Passover lambs on the fourteenth day of the first month….[Josiah] did not heed the words of Necho from the mouth of God. So he came to fight in the Valley of Megiddo.

 

At 26 years old, King Josiah served God faithfully, following in detail God’s instructions for the celebration of the Passover. This was to be the annual observance for remembering the time when God delivered the Children of Israel from slavery in Egypt (Exodus 12:1-14). No doubt Josiah learned how to do this from the Bible Scrolls which were discovered in the Temple. Josiah, as recorded in 2 Chronicles 34:31, had read aloud the entire book in the hearing of all the leaders of the people. Josiah was obedient to the words he had read.

But when it came to another encounter of the Children of Israel with Egypt, there is no record of Josiah praying for guidance in his decision to engage Pharaoh Necho in war. We can learn from this tragic end to Josiah’s life that we need to add prayer and waiting on God before we make our decisions…waiting on God for His directions. Poor and destructive decisions will result from failure to hear clearly from God. Amazingly, God warned Josiah through the mouth of Necho, but still Josiah stubbornly went into battle.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

O Lord Jesus, teach me to pray as You taught Your disciples (at this point let’s pray “The Lord’s Prayer,” slowly and carefully (found in Luke 11:1-4). Amen!!!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

In thinking about what Josiah did when he was 26, I was reminded of one decision I made at the same age, about which I prayed a great deal. When I felt the “go-ahead” from God, I called Wes Millar, formerly the accountant at Healey Motors in Pembroke (where I had worked when I was 16). Now, 10 years later, Wes was a co-owner of a car dealership in Cornwall, Ontario. Someone had told me that they saw a used school bus on his car lot. After our chat, Wes and his partners decided to donate the bus for our Deep River Sunday School. I was so excited as I went to buy a bus ticket to travel to Cornwall to pick up the bus. As I drove it back, I could see it in my mind’s eye…the bus filled with Sunday School students. That’s what happened! On one side of the bus I painted the words, “TEACH ME THY WAYS, O LORD. PSALM 86:11.” On the other side I put these words, “STUDY TO SHOW THYSELF APPROVED UNTO GOD. 2 TIMOTHY 2:15.” For at least the next 3 years, that bus ran steadily every Sunday morning from Deep River to Deux Rivieres and back, and in the afternoon to Chalk River and back. Our new little Sunday School in Deep River grew to almost 150 students, and in Chalk River we reached another 50 children. God was in that decision to ask for the bus. He taught us His ways, and we studied His Word. His ways are discovered only through much prayer and complete obedience.

Yours for reading and studying God’s Word, obeying God’s Word, and praying until we are convinced we’ve heard from God concerning decisions which will have far-reaching effects,

David

The Temple of Luxor was originally founded by Pharaoh Amenophis III but altered in later years by Tutankhamun, Horemheb, and Ramses II. At night the temple is illuminated with yellow lights to reveal a golden halo around the ruins and statues.

GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.

6 thoughts on “Monday, July 13, 2015

  1. Thank you Rev. David for your guidance through this blog, bringing the scripture to light through your links and words of wisdom, and your prayer for the day.

    What peace we have when we hear and obey God’s word as we turn to Him in prayer.

    How sad when we run off on our own, doing our own thing, or act in panic not able to hear clearly what the Lord is saying or guiding us to do. I recall a couple of decisions I made in a panic, and have lived to regret them. Or like Gideon, doubted and put out a fleece.

    I praise God, He is faithful to redeem the mess and turn it around for His Glory!!

  2. Thanks for your message, today, David. I love re-hearing your story about the school bus! What a wonderful blessing because of your faithfulness to bring so many children to know and love the Lord! Well done, oh good and faithful servant–well done, indeed!

    Yes, I share the same thoughts you do, Irene. It is very hard to hear God sometimes, when we are in a panic, over run with emotions, or on pain medication and unable to hear through the fog, so to speak. I have never been good at praying before making decisions, though I am getting better in that regard. There is a very big decision I am praying about now, and I am content to take my time and continue praying, without jumping before I hear from God. In addition, I am so grateful for gaining a better understanding of the Bible, and developing a deeper and richer relationship with God, and the saints. I want to thank all of you so very much for sharing this blog. You all make it so real and such a blessing that is full of compassion prosperity and love. Praise God through whom all blessings flow. Amen, amen, and amen!

  3. AMEN David! DELIVER US FROM THE EVIL ONE!!! Amen and Amen!

    Amen and Amen Beverlee! I am also praying on a big decision. At first many signs were pointing in one direction so I leaned that way. But I wondered how many signs it takes because I still wasn’t SURE that I was SURE. Then one BIG sign pointed in the opposite direction and I KNEW!! I pray for YOUR revelation Beverlee!!!

    Lord I pray for Your gentle guiding hand in our lives. Let us Joy in the Journey! In Jesus Glorious Name Amen!!

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