NEBUCHADNEZZAR
Today’s Reading: 2 Kings 24
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
This photo is of the model of the Temple in Jerusalem at the time of Jesus. This magnificent structure was constructed by King Herod and was destroyed by the Romans in 70 A.D. On today’s Google map, you will see where this model is located in Jerusalem; the original Temple stood just 300 yards to the northeast. Today the location of the Dome of the Rock Muslim shrine is just to the south of where the Temple was situated.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: 2 Kings 24:2
And the Lord sent against him raiding bands of Chaldeans, bands of Syrians, bands of Moabites, and bands of the people of Ammon; He sent them against Judah to destroy it, according to the word of the Lord which He had spoken by His servants the prophets.
We are now being introduced to Nebuchadnezzar, a King who will show up in our readings more often in the remaining Hebrew Scriptures than any other foreign monarch.
God is very patient, as is demonstrated again and again in our readings about the kings of Judah, but He will not forever endure disobedience and the flagrant misuse of His name. The practices established by Moses in the Tabernacle, and enhanced by Solomon in the Temple, were continuing. But the Kings who did evil in the sight of the Lord had added the idol worship of other religions. The peoples of Israel and Judah continued to be known as the people of God, but for most of the time, they did not act in a manner honouring God. God finally refused to see any more evil done in His Holy Name. God hurled enemy after enemy against Judah until it was a mere shadow of its former self, and it became a mere puppet of foreign rulers.
Let us not despair. God was working all things after the counsel of His will. He had His faithful people amongst the captives taken to Babylon. Check out Daniel 1:1-6.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, even as You had people who were faithful to You when evil deeds were government policy in both Israel and Judah, so You have those in our land who refuse to compromise their personal standards of righteousness. I pray that I may ever be one of those who serve You with all my heart, as did Daniel and the three Hebrew youths who, even though they were forcibly removed from Jerusalem, served You with integrity. In the Name of the One who served You most faithfully, Jesus, I pray. Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
While I use the common term to describe Israel, the “Holy Land,” it is by no means “holy” today. For example, the destruction of innocent life, known as abortion, is rampant amongst secular Jews who make up the majority of the population. The evil kings of ancient Judah in our recent readings burned children as sacrifices to the god Molech. Today little bodies are burned in an incinerator. The same atrocity is happening here. There is no protection in our country for a child up until the moment he or she exits the womb. I believe that the reason God is still merciful to modern Israel and to Canada is because there are people who grieve and repent for national sins against God on a daily basis. I know that our Queen, our official Head of State for Canada, is grieved deeply by the evil of abortion, but as a constitutional monarch, she does not have the power of a Hezekiah or a Josiah to change things. Our government is also powerless to protect these little ones until a clear majority of the members of the House of Commons and the Senate come to abhor the practice of abortion. Back in the 1980s, we had a Minister of Health, the Hon. Jake Epp, who succeeded in getting a bill through the Commons with some protection for these little lives, but this bill was defeated in the Senate by just one vote. I pray daily for leaders, those who hold life as a sacred gift of God, to rise up, run for elected office, and form the majority of our lawmakers. I not only pray but I work for such people, regardless of party affiliation.
Yours to pray and work for God’s “will to be done on earth as it is in Heaven,”
David
I have an adopted grandson born in Asia 3 months premature. No incubators in that country @ that time. Doctors put him in the sink thinking that he would not live. After some hours they realized he was surviving! He is a wonderful 24 yr old now & is the pride of his mom & dad. Need I say more? Miracle. Thank You Lord.
Thank you for sharing this heartwarming story, Doreen.
How marvellous are the Lord’s deeds and purposes! He had a plan for your grandson’s life which no abortionist could thwart.
May that plan be carried out throughout his whole life!
Praise God!
Amen Luisa!
Doreen;
Ain’t that just like the Lord! PRAISE AND THANKS TO OUR LORD GOD ALMIGHTY, HE HAD A PLAN FOR THIS PRECIOUS GRANDSON;THANK YOU LORD; THANK YOU LORD IN JESUS NAME WE PRAY AMEN AMEN AMEN!!!!!
Just wanted to let you all know that Gavin my grandson is doing very well. He will probably get out of ICU today. So many people are praying for this young man that I believe God will restore him completely. Thank you for your prayers dear friends. Only God knows why this happened to such a wonderful kid.
Blessings to all Eleanor M.
Rejoicing with you, Eleanor, with the good report about Gavin.
Thank you Lord for answering our prayers. We are believing that you will heal this young man completely for the joy of his family and for Your honour and glory! May Gavin never forget what you have done for him and may he live always to glorify Your Holy Name!
Amen Luisa!
Praise God. Thank you , Lord for hearing our prayers for Gavin.
So happy to hear about Gavin. May he continually be strengthened & his body heal. He will be a walking testimony. Bless the family, Father. In Jesus Name. Amen
Thank you Lord for what you have done for Gauvin and continue to be with him Lord. Thanks for that heartwarming story Doreen and may the Lord use this young man as well as Gauvin. Reading David’s post about the sin of abortion and no protection in this country for the unborn, I remember speaking to the leader of the Opposition last year at a rally about this issue. Let’s pray that David’s vision for a turn around in the government who will change the abortion laws. Thank God for what is happening in the States. Blessings!
Amen Ger1
ABORTION MAKES ME CRY! GOD’S WORD SAYS; THOU SHALL NOT KILL!
I pray people will make sure they do not get pregnant if they do not wish to have a child; I pray people will be more responsible when making this decision not to have children; I pray people will stop! think about their decision to have unprotected sex! I pray the Holy Spirit will enter the hearts of the people and make them realize they need to take responsibility about having children; Lord forgive us; we are a broken world; I know Lord that You will never stop loving us; help us to make good decisions;help us to turn to you hourly if we need for prayer Thank you Lord, help us and our leaders to make good sound decisions In Jesus Name we Pray amen.
I realize that if I had known about sex and relationships and how they can change your life; I would have had safe sex always…..Forgive me Lord, in Jesus Name I Pray amen
I did not have an abortion but having children was very difficult, and had no one to talk with; I praise and Thank the Lord that now we have more places available to go to talk with someone about being pregnant…
Thanks Sah for sharing.