LESSONS LEARNED?
Today’s Reading: 2 Chronicles 13-14
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
The Ethiopian Orthodox Church is located on one of the roof portions of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in the Old City of Jerusalem. Here, you can see two Ethiopian nuns in front of their home in the courtyard of the church.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: 2 Chronicles 14:11
And Asa cried out to the Lord his God, and said, “Lord, it is nothing for You to help, whether with many or with those who have no power; help us, O Lord our God, for we rest on You, and in Your name we go against this multitude. O Lord, You are our God; do not let man prevail against You!”
Solomon’s son, Rehoboam, had forsaken the counsel of his father and that of the elders, and the nation was split in two. Jeroboam, who had returned from exile in Egypt after the death of Solomon, ruled the north and Rehoboam the south. When Rehoboam humbled himself and prayed, things would go well. But he sought the Lord only when he was in trouble.
Jeroboam also forsook the Lord and appointed false priests and established the religion of Egypt, the worship of golden calf gods. War between the north and the south was fairly constant. What a tragedy!
Rehoboam died. His son Abijah ruled in the south. War continued. Then came King Asa, great-grandson of King David. Our key verse says it all! Can we learn from these stories, or must we repeat over and over the poor decisions of former generations?
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Father God, help me to learn the lessons of history, I pray. Like Asa, I cry out to You for Your help. May I receive the grace from You to rest on You. I ask this, not only when I’m in trouble, but every day! In the Name of the One who cried out to You again and again as recorded in the Gospels, the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen!!! (Luke 22:39-46).
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
Information on excellent, educational, and informational reading is important for me. A great read is a book called, “The Blessing.” It’s all about experiencing the power of the Holy Spirit. The authors, Trask and Goodall, begin the book with these words about their country, “The decadence and darkness of our nation is more profound than it has been since the founding of this nation more than two centuries ago. The only power that can cleanse and restore this nation is the power of Christ.” I have read parts of this book before, but this time I’m reading it all carefully. My wife bought copies for each of our grandchildren. We gave them out at a gathering of our family when we had the opportunity for a serious devotional exercise. Click here for ordering information on “The Blessing.”
Like King Asa, I recognize that only God can help me, my family and all with whom I’m in contact.
Yours for the most powerful blessing, the intervention of the Holy Spirit in our lives,
David
The entrance to one of the rooms at the Ethiopian Orthodox Church in Jerusalem.
Centuries old Christian symbols in the walls of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church courtyard.
Wow, it is hard to realize these posts were written 8 years ago as they are so relevant today. Have we not learned from history. Dear Lord I pray that the Israeli leaders are following you and listening to your instructions. Without you there will be no peace. I pray for the leaders of all countries to turn to you for guidance. Open the eyes of the media that seem intent on destroying Christianity in all countries including Canada. Open the eyes of the voters and lead them in all elections, including by-elections to pray and vote the Bible . We must stand now or our country will be lost, not to the USA but to the ungodly.
So amen HJR!!!
GOD bless all saints 🙏.
So true…look again at the Key Verse David Mainse left for us…it’s such an encouragement…yes, dear friends, let’s join in and pray, really pray for our families, our beautiful County Canada…”God, Keep our land, glorious and free!”…and for the peace of Jerusalem as we’re commanded to do in Psalm 122:6!
…and also dear friends, please pray for me and my family as we honour God during these days of bereavement and celebration at the memorial service for my daughter, Jenn, who many of you prayed for – thank you – God in His infinite mercy and love took my precious daughter, 53 years old leaving her two strapping young sons – 18 and 20 years, now without their Momma, home to be with Him. God is faithful and He is good and He is wise! Thank You, Jesus and thank you all my dear fellow blog followers because of Him!