ROLLER COASTER RESULTS
Today’s Reading: 2 Chronicles 26-28
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
Looking east through the Valley of Hinnom (also known as the Valley of Gehenna) in Jerusalem. In today’s reading, it is referred to as “The Valley of the Son of Hinnom,” where Ahaz committed evil acts (2 Chronicles 28:3).
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: 2 Chronicles 26:5
He sought God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding in the visions of God; and as long as he sought the Lord, God made him prosper.
The history of Judah is like a roller coaster. Two Kings, Uzziah, and his son Jotham, did what was right. God blessed them and all of Judah. The grandson, Ahaz, did evil when he became king, and we’ve learned by now that when God is not honoured and wanted, He withdraws and the result is disaster. Let’s look more closely at the action and the results. (1) Uzziah “sought the Lord.” Result – “God made him to prosper.” (2) Jotham “prepared his ways before the Lord his God.” Result – “He became mighty.” (3) Ahaz “became increasingly unfaithful to the Lord.” Result – “The ruin of him and all Israel.”
Let us not despair. We expect to meet a truly Godly leader in tomorrow’s reading, Uzziah’s great-grandson, Hezekiah.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Father God, grant grace and wisdom to me that I may influence family members and others in Your ways of doing what is right in Your sight. I pray that I may successfully communicate the fact that You will not force Your blessings on those who, by their free will, turn away from You and from doing what is right in Your sight. Grant Your favour upon us all I pray fervently. In Jesus’ Name I ask these requests, Amen!!!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
I have a Bible open beside me as I type, and when I think about it, I’m amazed by some of the stories and people that have made that possible. For example, we rarely hear of Myles Coverdale. He made a complete translation of the Bible into English 76 years before the King James authorized version was published. The impact of Coverdale’s translation on the English language is immense! William Shakespeare quoted approximately 2,500 verses out of this amazing translation in his plays. Shakespeare’s plays were performed in outdoor theatres to hundreds of thousands of people during, and after, his lifetime. Many of these statements have passed into our language without people knowing their source. Of course, there were others, such as William Tyndale and John Wycliffe, who made amazing efforts to get God’s Word to everyone. Before the Latin translation by Jerome was made the official Bible of the Roman Empire, there may have been as many as 200 other languages into which at least part of the Scriptures had been translated and written on sheep’s skin or papyrus. I highly treasure my Bible. For that reason, I’m making this daily blog with the prayer that others, who may not otherwise read the Bible in depth from cover to cover with a measure of understanding, will do so and be blessed! (click here for more information on Myles Coverdale).
Yours for a greater appreciation of our Bibles,
David
P.S. I recorded a video for the special 100 Huntley Street Canada Day live broadcast from Kingston, Ontario [July 1, 2017]. If you’d like to hear what I said, you can watch it HERE.
Looking south from the hills of Samaria in the direction of Jerusalem, which lies just over the horizon.
We see with hindsight the many mistakes the ancients have made but do our leaders see ‘the written Word’ so that they too may see?We must not forget that we must pray for our leaders for they are there only because God allows it to be so…and pray for Ron and all of the Crossroads family…and also the much overlooked Biblegateway benefactors.May God bless all who read this blog.
The Secret
May seeds of peace find a home in your heart,
May forgiveness help mend each broken part,
For you are worthy when the last sunset falls
To cross that bridge when the trumpet calls.
So be not of sorrow for those gone ahead,
They are more happy than we who are dead,
For most of us fail to learn how to live,
The secret is to open your heart and just give,
For this is the way our Savior had taught,
But through Satan’s lies,His words we forgot,
So as time grows shorter we must reawaken,
To remind the world of His love forsaken.
..G W (Bill)Marshall/2011
Thank you Bill for sharing your thoughts and poem. Eleanor M.
So much beauty and interesting things on my morning walk. I have to shake my head when I hear of evolutionary emphasis on tv or from people in the community. How can anyone believe that the beautiful little butterfly (chocolate brown wings, edged in gold), wings opening and closing continuously as it was eating from between the bricks. The little chipmunk that scurried across the path, or the little rabbit munching on grass with 2 or 3 bird companions eating along side, are far too intricate and gifted to have “evolved”. My thoughts today!
Wonderful thoughts Doreen I agree with what you said.
Yes, amen, Doreen.