Today’s reading: 2 Chron 33:1–34:33, 1 John 2:18–27, Ps 105:1–22

Today’s theme: Repentance and Restoration

Today’s theme is the call and necessity of repentance and restoration in our lives. Repentance without humility is not possible and aside from God’s word, is without power. Repentance should lead to restoration of our right relationship with God, as we apply His word to our lives.

2 Chronicles 33:1–34:33

Abortion and Witchcraft

And he burned his sons as an offering in the Valley of the Son of Hinnom, and used fortune-telling and omens and sorcery, and dealt with mediums and with necromancers. He did much evil in the sight of the LORD, provoking him to anger. 2 Chronicles 33:6 (ESV)

The evil of abortion which is in fact the murder of a little baby, is an abomination before God. Many would read about Manasseh’s infanticide in horror, whilst contending that a woman has the right to choose, after already becoming pregnant, whether they want to have the baby, and if not, they should have the right to “get rid of it” (murder it with impunity).

We must stand up for these little ones in the womb, they stand defenceless while someone else, often for the sake of convenience, inflicts unimaginable pain on them whilst killing them.

The killing of children (abortion) is spoken of in the same context as witchcraft, both acts are extremely wicked. Abortion is the new Molech.

If You have ever been involved in an abortion, there is hope and forgiveness for you to be found in Jesus.

Humility and Repentance

And when he was in distress, he entreated the favor of the LORD his God and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers. He prayed to him, and God was moved by his entreaty and heard his plea and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD was God. 2 Chronicles 33:12–13 (ESV)

The repentance of Manasseh is a strong picture of how merciful God really is. Manasseh was like a monster, he was guilty of more evil than the average person, yet when he humbled himself and cried out to God in repentance, God forgave him.

God’s mercy and goodness leads even the worst of sinners to come to know Him. God’s goodness should lead us to repentance. Romans 2:4

Relationship with God

Now the rest of the acts of Manasseh, and his prayer to his God, and the words of the seers who spoke to him in the name of the LORD, the God of Israel, behold, they are in the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel. 2 Chronicles 33:18 (ESV)

Notice the verse says “his prayer to his God”. We do not just repent to a distant God to keep him happy, God desires that we come into a good relationship with Himself and has made this possible through Jesus.

Our repentance should bring reconciliation in our relationship with God.

New Beginnings

For in the eighth year of his reign, while he was yet a boy, he began to seek the God of David his father, and in the twelfth year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem of the high places, the Asherim, and the carved and the metal images. 2 Chronicles 34:3 (ESV)

The number 8 represents new beginnings in the bible. This new king Josiah, who lived before God just like David, began to reign when he was only aged 8. Now we read in the 8th year of his reign at age 16, he began to seek the Lord.

12 speaks of God’s government, which makes it even more significant that it was in the 12th year of his reign that the purging of the land began, restoring God’s order.

At age 16 he began to seek God and at age 20 began restoring the land. This is wonderful and shows there is hope for our young people and God can use them mightily. 1 Timothy 4:12

Respond to the Word

And when the king heard the words of the Law, he tore his clothes. 2 Chronicles 34:19 (ESV)

Our response to God’s word is so important. When we hear God’s word we should be in a place of humility, allowing the word to change us and not us reinterpreting and therefore changing the word.

God’s word is a precious treasure, notice it was found in the treasury with all the gold.

We should treasure the word of God and ask God to make our hearts alive to the message it has for us, so we can respond to it as we ought to.

Paul encourages us in Colossians 3:16 “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.”

Be Humble

because your heart was tender and you humbled yourself before God when you heard his words against this place and its inhabitants, and you have humbled yourself before me and have torn your clothes and wept before me, I also have heard you, declares the LORD. 2 Chronicles 34:27 (ESV)

Again we read about the importance of humility, we must be humble and have tender hearts before God.

We are reminded in James 4:6-8 “But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”

Read the Bible

And the king went up to the house of the LORD, with all the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem and the priests and the Levites, all the people both great and small. And he read in their hearing all the words of the Book of the Covenant that had been found in the house of the LORD. 2 Chronicles 34:30 (ESV)

This lesson is simple, we must read or listen to the bible.

Without the commands, directions and warnings of God’s word, we would not know who God is, what the gospel is or even which direction to turn to when we repent or what needs to be repented of.

The conscience and nature, as witnesses to the truth, are limited. We should give God thanks for the treasure of His revealed word, ‘The Bible’, God’s special revelation.

1 John 2:18–27

Eternal Security

They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us. 1 John 2:19 (ESV)

John is quite plain, those that end up leaving the faith were never truly saved, according to this verse. This is because those who have truly been saved are held secure by the Lord, endure till the end and are saved.

Confess Jesus

No one who denies the Son has the Father. Whoever confesses the Son has the Father also.    1 John 2:23 (ESV)

This is why we need to reach out to the Jews, although they worship the same God as us, the God of the bible, they reject Jesus Christ as the Son of God and Messiah. As this verse says, without Jesus we do not have a relationship with the Father.

The Anointing

But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him. 1 John 2:27 (ESV)

This is a great encouragement to all of us as God’s people, we receive the anointing of God the Holy Spirit, when we are born again. The Holy Spirit is the one who abides in us and His purpose is to teach us so that we abide and stay in Jesus, which is in line with the earlier note about eternal security.

We should be encouraged and thank God for His anointing today.

Psalm 105:1–22

God’s Presence

Seek the LORD and his strength; seek his presence continually! Psalm 105:4 (ESV)

We should long for and seek God’s manifest presence with Joy. When we rejoice in God, we receive strength. This is the remedy if we feel weary, seek God’s strength by seeking God’s presence.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

The Gospel Coalition on 1 John 2

Today’s reading: 2 Chron 31:1–32:33, 1 John 2:15–17, Ps 104:16–35

Today’s Theme: Wholly (100% or With Everything or Totally)

Today’s theme explores the concept of whole hearted devotion and dedication. God calls us to wholly follow and honour Him.

2 Chronicles 31:1–32:33

Destroy Them All

Now when all this was finished, all Israel who were present went out to the cities of Judah and broke in pieces the pillars and cut down the Asherim and broke down the high places and the altars throughout all Judah and Benjamin, and in Ephraim and Manasseh, until they had destroyed them all. Then all the people of Israel returned to their cities, every man to his possession. 2 Chronicles 31:1 (ESV)

The people were inspired by the faith and single hearted, total dedication of their King Hezekiah. This spurred them on to destroy every high place and idolatrous altar.

We are also called to have this same passion and dedication in our lives. We are called to wholly follow the Lord. When putting sin to death in our lives we should have no mercy on our sin and compromise, we need to destroy it all.

Romans 8:13 teaches us “For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.”

Colossians 3:5 commands us “Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.”

We should not leave room for compromise. We should determine in our hearts to destroy all idolatry, sin and compromise.

Give Everything

As soon as the command was spread abroad, the people of Israel gave in abundance the first fruits of grain, wine, oil, honey, and of all the produce of the field. They brought in abundantly the tithe of everything. 2 Chronicles 31:5 (ESV).

The tithe being 10% has always been a representation of everything. The people symbolically gave God 100% of everything, not just 10% of everything.

We should at least give God a regular tithe or 10% representation from our income today. The New Testament does not talk about the tithe specifically but does speak about the spirit and meaning of tithing in the scriptures. About giving everything to the Lord and being generous as we give.

Jesus told the rich young man to sell everything, give to the poor and come and follow Him in Mark 10:21. Jesus extends this call to all His disciples in Luke 12:32 -34 where He encourages them that the Father wants to give them the kingdom. They should sell all they have and give to the needy, instead focussing on storing up treasure in heaven. Jesus culminates this lesson by stating “where your treasure is, there will your heart be also”.

In Romans 12:8 Paul teaches us to give generously and in 2 Corinthians 9:7 tells us “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

Faithful Commitment

They were enrolled with all their little children, their wives, their sons, and their daughters, the whole assembly, for they were faithful in keeping themselves holy. 2 Chronicles 31:18 (ESV)

In the spirit of the gospel call to give God everything we give God our very lives and so should lay it all on the line to walk in sanctification and holiness like these Levites.

Jesus told us to take up our cross and follow Him in Luke 9:23. Jesus also taught us that those who remain faithful till the end will be saved in Matthew 24:12.

Word Study: Faithful, in the Hebrew this word is “Emuna” the root words for this include trustworthy, wearing to prove to be firm, reliable, permanent and to believe. In this sense the word means steadfastness, trustworthiness, faithfulness, honesty, official duty, firmness and to be dependable.

Meditate on the meaning of this word today and listen to the Holy Spirit as He shows you how faithfulness needs to be applied in your life.

With All Our Hearts

And every work that he undertook in the service of the house of God and in accordance with the law and the commandments, seeking his God, he did with all his heart, and prospered. 2 Chronicles 31:21 (ESV)

We should not be half hearted when we do anything especially when we serve the Lord.

Hezekiah worked for and sought the Lord with all his heart and we should do the same.

James 1:8 warns us that we should not be doubtful and double minded.

Paul teaches us in Colossians 3:23 “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men”.

Work Resolutely

He set to work resolutely and built up all the wall that was broken down and raised towers upon it, and outside it he built another wall, and he strengthened the Millo in the city of David. He also made weapons and shields in abundance. 2 Chronicles 32:5 (ESV)

As we work for the Lord we need to be resolute. We need to make up our minds, set our aims and give ourselves over completely to see the task completed.

This is where both our firm faith and hard work go hand in hand. Our purposeful working gives expression to our deep rooted faith.

James teaches that faith without works is dead in James 2:20-26. He finishes the lesson by saying “For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.”

Confidence

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or dismayed before the king of Assyria and all the horde that is with him, for there are more with us than with him. With him is an arm of flesh, but with us is the LORD our God, to help us and to fight our battles.” And the people took confidence from the words of Hezekiah king of Judah. 2 Chronicles 32:7–8 (ESV)

Hezekiah was a man of great faith, he knew that God was with him. Because he was 100% dedicated to God he had the confidence to know and boldly declare that heaven’s armies were with them. His words inspired faith and confidence in the people too.

We are at war and we need to have faith in our great God just like Hezekiah did. God fights our battles for us.

As Paul teaches on God’s eternal plan, we read in Ephesians 3:11–12 that we have confidence through our faith in Him. “This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him.”

We should declare the truth to one another to build up all our faith and confidence in the Lord as we stand and God fights.

The Danger of Pride

And so in the matter of the envoys of the princes of Babylon, who had been sent to him to inquire about the sign that had been done in the land, God left him to himself, in order to test him and to know all that was in his heart. 2 Chronicles 32:31 (ESV)

Pride was the great pitfall for Hezekiah who like David was a man who really loved and served the Lord. When we read this true account we need to ask the Lord to help us to stay true to Him.

Notice the verse says that God left him to himself to see what was in his heart. We should be very grateful that we have been given new hearts through the gift of God the Holy Spirt. See Titus 3:5.

One way to guard against pride is to always be grateful to the Lord.

1 John 2:15–17

Restricted Love

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 1 John 2:15 (ESV)

We should not just love everything, no way. As Christians, we do not love the things of the world in terms of lusts of the flesh, covetousness, envy and pride which all find their roots in idolatry and materialism.

Our Love should be for God and all that God loves.

The Things we love serve as a good test and indicator to us of where we are with God. If our affections and desires are for the things of the world we need to repent and turn our hearts to the Lord again.

Psalm 104:16–35

Our Provider

These all look to you, to give them their food in due season. Psalm 104:27 (ESV)

God is the great provider for all creation.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

The Gospel Coalition on 1 John 2

Today’s reading: 2 Chron 29:1–30:27, 1 John 2:7–14, Ps 104:1–15

Today’s Theme: Consecration

Today’s theme is consecration, it may not be a word everyone is familiar with but it is crucial to the life of every Christian.

2 Chronicles 29:1–30:27

Like David

And he did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, according to all that David his father had done. 2 Chronicles 29:2 (ESV)

Hezekiah is one of the only kings that is attributed with doing what was right just like king David. This means he was a man who loved the Lord and was passionate for God’s glory. We can learn a lot of good from Hezekiah’s life and reign. His relationship with God would be the start of a season of restoration.

Put God First

In the first year of his reign, in the first month, he opened the doors of the house of the LORD and repaired them. 2 Chronicles 29:3 (ESV)

Hezekiah put God first in the very first month of his reign. He started his great work of consecration and restoration of the house of the Lord. The Lesson for us is that we should put God first in all we do. Jesus told us to seek God’s kingdom first (Matthew 6:33) and also reminded us that the first commandment is about putting God first. (Matthew 22:37-38).

Remove The Filth

and said to them, “Hear me, Levites! Now consecrate yourselves, and consecrate the house of the LORD, the God of your fathers, and carry out the filth from the Holy Place. 2 Chronicles 29:5 (ESV)

Word Study: The word consecrate in this verse is the Hebrew word qadas which can be traced back to a root word which means “to cut” and so basically means “to set apart”. Other root words point to “pure” and “devoted”.

The word itself means to be holy, set apart from common use, subject to special treatment, clean and to dedicate.

Like Hezekiah commanded we too must remove all filth from our lives and live as consecrated people to our God for His service. Jesus said the truth would consecrate us in John 17:17-19.

Paul tells us in response to God’s promises to be with His people, that we should cleanse ourselves in 2 Corinthians 7:1 “Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.” See 2 Corinthians 6:16-7:1 for a fuller context.

Do Not Neglect Your Calling

My sons, do not now be negligent, for the LORD has chosen you to stand in his presence, to minister to him and to be his ministers and make offerings to him.” 2 Chronicles 29:11 (ESV)

God has consecrated us for ministry just like He did with the Levites. We should not neglect our calling, we should actively seek to fulfil it.

Jesus said to the unfaithful servant in the parable of the talents that he should have done something with the money he was given and that he was wicked for living in selfish fear and not investing his lord’s money (Luke 19:20–24). In the same way we must not have this wicked attitude, we must use what God has given us to bring Him glory.

Paul reminded Timothy in 1 Timothy 4:14 “Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you.”

A Clean Church

The priests went into the inner part of the house of the LORD to cleanse it, and they brought out all the uncleanness that they found in the temple of the LORD into the court of the house of the LORD. And the Levites took it and carried it out to the brook Kidron. 2 Chronicles 29:16 (ESV)

God has not only called us to be consecrated as individuals but also as a collective body of people. This is why we have Pastors and Elders. They are there to protect us as the flock and to keep the church clean, removing bad doctrine (teaching / thinking) and the resulting bad behaviour from church practise.

When dealing with a church that needed some serious cleaning up in Corinth, Paul said in 1 Corinthians 5:6-7 “Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.” In other words, uncleanness spreads in the community so cut it out from the root.

The Inspiration of the Bible

And he stationed the Levites in the house of the LORD with cymbals, harps, and lyres, according to the commandment of David and of Gad the king’s seer and of Nathan the prophet, for the commandment was from the LORD through his prophets. 2 Chronicles 29:25 (ESV)

An important side note, this tells us clearly that the scriptures and the prophecies it contains were not just written down. The bible is the inspired word of God. We need to follow God’s word to cleanse ourselves and live a consecrated life. See 2 Timothy 3:16.

Sing With Gladness

And Hezekiah the king and the officials commanded the Levites to sing praises to the LORD with the words of David and of Asaph the seer. And they sang praises with gladness, and they bowed down and worshiped. 2 Chronicles 29:30 (ESV)

The consecrated life is one of joy filled praise. When we live a consecrated life it is not boring or miserable, it is full of praise and singing.

The praise and the offering started at the same time because our praises are an offering to God. The whole assembly worshiped which reminds us of our corporate worship today.

Today let’s remember to sing with joy to the Lord. He has consecrated us to Himself, our response should be one of delight, gratitude, joy and heartfelt praise.

Consecrate yourself

But the priests were too few and could not flay all the burnt offerings, so until other priests had consecrated themselves, their brothers the Levites helped them, until the work was finished—for the Levites were more upright in heart than the priests in consecrating themselves. 2 Chronicles 29:34 (ESV)

We can’t consecrate someone else, we are all responsible for our own consecration and God wants us to be like these Levites who were upright in heart in the way they sought to be set apart.

The priests were higher than them in position but that did not intimidate the regular Levites. They had their hearts set on serving the Lord. We should not let the religious deadness of other put us off, we should set our own hearts to serve the Lord. See Philippians 2:12–13.

God’s Mercy

For a majority of the people, many of them from Ephraim, Manasseh, Issachar, and Zebulun, had not cleansed themselves, yet they ate the Passover otherwise than as prescribed. For Hezekiah had prayed for them, saying, “May the good LORD pardon everyone who sets his heart to seek God, the LORD, the God of his fathers, even though not according to the sanctuary’s rules of cleanness.” 2 Chronicles 30:18–19 (ESV)

We thank God for His mercy. In this great call to repentance and restoration God was not looking for perfection but hearts that were set on seeking Him. We need to hear the call to repentance today, humble ourselves and come before God. He will show us mercy and set us apart again for His glory.

We need the mercy of God in our sanctification, it is only with God’s help that we can walk in true consecration.

Encourage One Another

And Hezekiah spoke encouragingly to all the Levites who showed good skill in the service of the LORD. So they ate the food of the festival for seven days, sacrificing peace offerings and giving thanks to the LORD, the God of their fathers. 2 Chronicles 30:22 (ESV)

Hezekiah shows us a great example, we should encourage one another in the service of the Lord. 1 Thessalonians 5:11.

1 John 2:7–14

The Indicator of Love

Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and in him there is no cause for stumbling. 1 John 2:10 (ESV)

If we have hate in our heart for our brothers and sisters in Christ it is an indicator that we are not walking in the light. Love is like an indicator in our hearts that we are walking in consecration as we ought to. We need to examine our hearts today, if we are walking in love, we are walking in sanctification / consecration.

Psalm 104:1–15

Splendour and Majesty

Bless the LORD, O my soul! O LORD my God, you are very great! You are clothed with splendor and majesty, covering yourself with light as with a garment, stretching out the heavens like a tent. Psalm 104:1–2 (ESV)

God our great King is clothed in splendour and majesty. He is clothed in light, this is why we need to be consecrated, because our God is awesome and holy.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

Desiring God on 1 John 2

Today’s reading: 2 Chron 26:1–28:27, 1 John 2:1–6, Ps 103:15–22

Today’s theme: Strength

Today we look at the true meaning and quality of strength. Our God is strong and calls us to be strong in Him. We are warned of the pitfall strength presents and the concept of controlled strength.

2 Chronicles 26:1–28:27

Prosperity (strength) is conditional

He set himself to seek God in the days of Zechariah, who instructed him in the fear of God, and as long as he sought the LORD, God made him prosper. 2 Chronicles 26:5 (ESV)

Prosperity from the Lord is conditional. As king Uzziah set his heart to seek God while under the instruction of Zechariah, we read that God made him prosper and later that God helped him (verse 7).

As we serve and honour the Lord He will cause us to be prosperous. This is not a golden ticket to material wealth and freedom from suffering, no, this is true fruitfulness and real prosperity.

Consider the word prosper, here we see the essence of the word is to be strong, effective, powerful and successful. The Hebrew word Salah is also used in the context to hurry (rush), to prevail, to thrive, to accomplish and to be useful.

So God conditionally caused the king to be strong. It is the same for our lives, God will empower us to be strong, effective and successful as we serve Him.

This theme of strength from God is all over the New Testament. Paul picks this up in Romans, at the start of the letter in Romans 1:11 he states “For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you” later at the end of the letter he affirms in Romans 16:25 “Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and …”

God helps us be strong

In Jerusalem he made machines, invented by skillful men, to be on the towers and the corners, to shoot arrows and great stones. And his fame spread far, for he was marvelously helped, till he was strong. 2 Chronicles 26:15 (ESV)

All this prosperity and help from the Lord ultimately made Uzziah strong.

We should not take God’s help for granted, it is a wonderful grace to us that God helps us. Without God’s help we will not be able to do anything meaningful for his kingdom. See Ephesians 3:16 and 1 Peter 5:10.

In one sense God helps all people as Jesus teaches us He causes the rain to fall on the just and the unjust  (Matthew 5:45). In another sense God’s own people receive very particular and special help to fulfil God’s purposes.

God helps us through the Helper, God The Holy Spirit.

Jesus said in John 14:16 “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever.” In verse 26 we learn that the Helper will teach us. In 15:26 we read that the Helper will bear witness about Jesus and in 16:7 Jesus encourages us it is to our advantage that He leave so the Helper can come.

We should not rely on anything in this world for help, God is our Helper, we are reminded of this in Hebrews 13:5-6.

Pride, strength’s pitfall

But when he was strong, he grew proud, to his destruction. For he was unfaithful to the LORD his God and entered the temple of the LORD to burn incense on the altar of incense. 2 Chronicles 26:16 (ESV)

We need to be on our guard, we need to keep a close watch on our hearts through our responses and attitude, because one of the greatest pitfalls of the enemy and our own flesh is that the strength, success, prosperity and resulting accomplishments can quickly leave us open to pride. (1 Corinthians 10:12).

This happened to king Uzziah. The success and strength God had granted him caused him to become proud and he, in a season of madness, forgot that it was all God. God had made him strong for God’s own glory.

If we do not commit our hearts to serve God for God’s own glory and not our own purpose then we will fall foul to this pitfall.

As we grow and progress in the faith, if we do not recognise that without Him we are nothing and that He is our very source of life, we will become cold and uncaring (leprosy) as we look down on all the weak people from the lofty heights of our strength (which we think we accomplished ourselves.). See John 15:5.

In God’s kingdom, to help keep us all humble, the bible teaches that the strong should bear the burdens of the weak (Romans 15:1) and the greatest leader is a servant of all (Mark 9:35).

We should use the strength God so lovingly provides to humbly serve one another in Jesus’ name to the glory of God.

Order = Strength

So Jotham became mighty, because he ordered his ways before the LORD his God. 2 Chronicles 27:6 (ESV)

Jotham became strong because he ordered his life in God’s ways.

In the same way that athletes need to exercise and watch what they eat, leading very ordered lives in order to compete well and win. As soldiers need to lead very orderly and disciplined lives in order to serve well, so do we need to order our lives.

Our faith is not a random collection of thoughts or private opinions. God has given us examples in His word and given us Himself in the person of the Helper so that we can rightly order our lives.

The prerequisite to an orderly life is submission to God’s word. Paul encourages Timothy in 2 Timothy 2:15 to rightly divide God’s word so it can be applied to everyday life.

We also need to submit to the leading of God’s Holy Spirit. Romans 8:14.

Thirdly we need to make use of God’s other normal means of grace like scheduled times of prayer, worship, fasting and service.

Let’s determine to have orderly, disciplined lives as disciples of Jesus Christ. God’s order in our lives will make us healthy and strong for the work of the kingdom.

Controlled strength

But a prophet of the LORD was there, whose name was Oded, and he went out to meet the army that came to Samaria and said to them, “Behold, because the LORD, the God of your fathers, was angry with Judah, he gave them into your hand, but you have killed them in a rage that has reached up to heaven. 2 Chronicles 28:9 (ESV)

Even though God used these men to perform His judgement on the people, they had no control in their use of strength. The prophet said their rage had reached to Heaven and God sent the prophet to tell them they had gone too far and they should let the captives go.

We need to have controlled strength in our dealings with one another. Even if we need to correct someone we should do it in meekness which is controlled strength.

Jesus teaches us in Matthew 5:5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.”

Paul tells us in Colossians 3:12 “Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,”.

1 John 2:1–6.

Our strong Advocate

My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. 1 John 2:1 (ESV)

We have the best lawyer possible, Jesus. If we make mistakes (if you sin not when you sin) like using the strength God provides for our own ends, we can turn and cry out to Jesus to plead our cause with the Father so that that we can be forgiven.

This should fill us with comfort and strengthen our faith. We are not in this alone, we are being backed up by Jesus our great and strong advocate.

The picture of Jesus as an advocate making intercession for us should also highlight the seriousness of sin and do away with any bad understanding of grace, forgiveness or confession. For example in the Roman Catholic church confession is seen by some as a cleansing act clearing them to sin again, this is wrong.

Evidence of true conversion

And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, 1 John 2:3–4 (ESV)

I like John, he speaks really plainly in this letter. The evidence that we are truly “saved” is that our desire will be to keep Gods commands. We will not be drawn to sin in the same way we were before, instead sin presents us with pitfalls, traps and stumbling blocks, but we do not live in it and feast on it.

Our nature has been changed by the Helper, God the Holy Spirit. If our natures are changed then so are our appetites, we will now supernaturally desire to do what is right.

The Holy Spirit strengthens true believers to live for God.

Those who consciously live in sin and claim to be Christians are simply liars.

Psalm 103:15–22

Steadfast Love

But the steadfast love of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him, and his righteousness to children’s children, to those who keep his covenant and remember to do his commandments. Psalm 103:17–18 (ESV)

Thank God for His steadfast love which is a wonderful reward for keeping His commandments as we just read in 1 John. Here we see that our children benefit from us serving the Lord.

Sovereign King

The LORD has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all. Psalm 103:19 (ESV)

We praise our mighty King, He is the Sovereign God and His throne is in heaven, surrounded by the mighty Angels who He sends to perform His word.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

The Gospel Coalition on 1 John 2

Today’s reading: 2 Chron 24:1–25:28, 1 John 1:5–10, Ps 103:1–14

Today’s theme: Urgency

Today’s theme is that we are called to urgently respond to God’s call and to avoid procrastination. We all need to ask the Lord to help us with this.

2 Chronicles 24:1–25:28

Avoid procrastination

And he gathered the priests and the Levites and said to them, “Go out to the cities of Judah and gather from all Israel money to repair the house of your God from year to year, and see that you act quickly.” But the Levites did not act quickly. 2 Chronicles 24:5 (ESV)

There could have been lots of reasons for the procrastination (to delay, to put off intentionally) of the Levites including a distrust of the royal family. Some may even have questioned why the king did not just use royal funds. In any case regardless of the priest’s possible reservations, it was still up to them to obey the king.

We must avoid procrastination in our lives even if it appears to be backed by apparent good reasoning.

We have been called to active and quick obedience, we should not delay in obeying the Lord and should not be slack in doing the work of the Lord.

Jesus spoke against procrastination all the time. For example in Matthew 8:21–22 and Luke 9:59–62 Jesus deals with those who would delay His calling on their life.

We must ensure that we do not delay in responding to God like the five procrastinating virgins of Matthew 25:2–13. We should not make excuses as in Luke 14:16–21. Remember “Now” is the day of salvation, 2 Corinthians 6:2.

The urgent call to obey

Now after the death of Jehoiada the princes of Judah came and paid homage to the king. Then the king listened to them. And they abandoned the house of the LORD, the God of their fathers, and served the Asherim and the idols. And wrath came upon Judah and Jerusalem for this guilt of theirs. 2 Chronicles 24:17–18 (ESV)

Joash was not a strong king, he was easily led astray. The priest Jehoiada brought him up and guided him but he never seems to develop his own relationship with the Lord.

His delay in obeying the Lord and setting his heart to follow the Lord in the days of the great priest Jehoiada has left him open to the evil council of the princes of Judah. He has now sold himself into apostasy.

The urgency of God’s call to relationship with Himself and the requirement to make a conscious stand for God in our own hearts is crucial. We must settle our minds, while we still, can on wholly following the Lord.

God knows why the call is so urgent and why procrastination is the tool of the enemy. The reason is that we are in the middle of a war for the souls of men and the glory of God. We need to act quickly and decisively so we are not blown around with every new wind and swept away with each new wave.

In Ephesians 4:14 Paul tell us to grow up and not be so easily carried away.

Urgency to proclaim the truth

Then the Spirit of God clothed Zechariah the son of Jehoiada the priest, and he stood above the people, and said to them, “Thus says God, ‘Why do you break the commandments of the LORD, so that you cannot prosper? Because you have forsaken the LORD, he has forsaken you.’ ” 2 Chronicles 24:20 (ESV)

Zechariah is a great example to us unlike the Levites and the king who showed hearts full of procrastination and unfaithfulness. Zechariah speaks boldly, he is empowered by the Holy Spirit and speaks with the urgency of an ambassador of God’s kingdom to the people who had fallen away.

In the New Testament we are called to desire prophecy. This is not prophecy on the level of the revelation of scripture but is like the bold stand and proclamation of Zechariah. 1 Corinthians 14:1,39.

We should have God’s urgency in our hearts as we proclaim His truth. Without delay and without fear, like Zechariah we may lose our lives but we are messengers of God’s Kingdom and the message we carry is an urgent message with a call for immediate response. Acts 17:30.

The king shows how evil he has become. This is the danger of procrastination in obeying the Lord, we can become callous and wicked. Let’s determine in our hearts today to be like faithful Zechariah and not like the cowardly Joash.

Now faith

And he did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, yet not with a whole heart. 2 Chronicles 25:2 (ESV)

The kingdoms urgent call to “now faith” obedience to the Gospel is not one that can be satisfied in a half hearted way. Jesus calls us to follow Him fully, with all our hearts.

This king is an example of a person who dips their toe into the water of being a disciple of Jesus Christ and then retreats in disbelief, fear, laziness or some other selfish reason. We are called to dive in with our faith in God and His word.

Jesus calls us to follow Him with all our hearts. It is the first and greatest commandment. In Luke 9:62 “Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”

We will see later that this half hearted following of the Lord opens the king up to the dangerous pitfall of false confidence.

See Romans 10:16, 2 Thessalonians 1:8 and 1 Peter 4:17 on the call to obey the gospel.

Beware fleshy false confidence

But Amaziah would not listen, for it was of God, in order that he might give them into the hand of their enemies, because they had sought the gods of Edom. 2 Chronicles 25:20 (ESV)

Here we see two things, God’s sovereign hand is at work to bring about God’s purposes concerning the compromising and wicked king who did not follow the Lord with all his heart.

We also see the opposite extreme to delay and procrastination, namely fleshy false confidence. Philippians 3:3, 19.

The danger of having a lukewarm relationship with the Lord is that we can easily end up charging forward in false confidence to our own destruction.

The urgent call to move forward is only applicable to those in the Lords army. Those who are not truly committed must first hear the call to repent and obey the gospel.

The following is a quote from John Bunyan’s Pilgrims Progress about a fool called Vain-Confidence “He therefore that went before (Vain-Confidence by name), not seeing the way before him, fell into a deep pit, which was on purpose there made by the prince of those grounds to catch vain-glorious fools withal, and was dashed to pieces with his fall.”

1 John 1:5–10

God is light

This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 1 John 1:5 (ESV)

The world likes to focus on the scripture that says “God is Love” but the same bible tells us here that “God is Light”. This is less popular because this speaks of purity, holiness and truth as revealed in the light of God’s word.

God’s love and light always work together.

Truth matters, it is core to God’s very being.

God is total light, this is why He calls for total allegiance. He will not share His glory with anyone else, we are called to follow Him alone with all our hearts.

Why go to Church?

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. 1 John 1:7 (ESV)

Some ask why do I need to go to church? Well here is the reason, it is evidence that we are truly in fellowship with God.

Active life in the church is how we practice the truth and show evidence of true discipleship. If we feel drawn away from fellowship we need to check our hearts.

Confess your sins

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9 (ESV)

We must not have vain confidence, we must humbly and honestly come before God each day and confess our sins so that He can cleanse us.

Psalm 103:1–14

Bless God with everything

Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Psalm 103:1 (ESV)

We should worship and serve the Lord with all that is within us, not with lukewarm hearts.

God is merciful

For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us. Psalm 103:11–12 (ESV)

God is so merciful and gracious to us so let’s not delay in our service for Him today.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

The Gospel Coalition on 1 John 1

Today’s reading: 2 Chron 21:1–23:21, 1 John 1:1–4, Ps 102:1–28

Today’s theme: Covenant

Today’s theme explores the importance of covenant or testament for our daily lives. Covenant stands at the core of our faith. It is through God’s covenant with Israel and with the church through Christ that we have salvation. We thank God for the eye witness accounts we have in the New Testament.

2 Chronicles 21:1–23:21

The evil sting of compromise

And he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, as the house of Ahab had done, for the daughter of Ahab was his wife. And he did what was evil in the sight of the LORD. 2 Chronicles 21:6 (ESV)

Here we see the evil sting of compromise. The bible tells us that believers should not be aligned with unbelievers. We should not be unequally yoked or bound together and one of the key areas concerning this is marriage.

Paul speaking in 2 Corinthians 6:14–15 states, “Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever?”

Jehoshaphat’s compromise of marrying into the family of Ahab exposed his son to the evil influence and demonic strongholds of Ahab which were idolatry and witchcraft.

If we allow compromise in our lives we open the door to death and destruction. For our own sake and the sake of the upcoming generations we must not give way to compromise through unwise unions with the ungodly.

The importance of covenant

Yet the LORD was not willing to destroy the house of David, because of the covenant that he had made with David, and since he had promised to give a lamp to him and to his sons forever. 2 Chronicles 21:7 (ESV)

Covenant is very important to God, as we see here. It is because of covenant that God was not willing to destroy the house of David.

The word covenant is used in the sense of a contractual arrangement between two parties, which required binding action from one or both parties.

The Hebrew word used here is “berit” which means covenant, league, confederacy or treaty.

A covenant is an agreement enacted between two parties in which one or both make promises under oath to perform or refrain from certain actions stipulated in advance.

Covenant in the Bible is the main way used to describe the relationship between God and His people. It serves as the legal constitution of the kingdom of our God the King.

God’s covenants are a great lens to reveal to us who God is. We thank God for the new covenant we have in Christ.

God, Judge and Executioner

And after all this the LORD struck him in his bowels with an incurable disease. 2 Chronicles 21:18 (ESV)

God is both judge and executioner. God’s hands are not tied, nor is His will weak. God will see justice done and will judge the wicked.

Modern ideas of God see Him as someone who would never inflict sickness or misfortune on anyone but this is not the God of the bible. Jesus told us to fear the one (God) who could destroy both soul and body in Hell. Matthew 10:28.

We should fear God as judge and at the same time give thanks that He will not allow injustice and wickedness to go unpunished.

No matter what man does God will see His purpose and plan come to pass and has the power and authority to kill whoever He desires for their own sin, for leading God’s people astray and for being a tool in the enemies hands to frustrate God’s plans.

This wicked King received no honour in his death. God also allowed him to die in great agony, these are both signs of his death not merely being natural but judicial punishment for breaking the law (the covenant).

Royal priests and soliders

And Jehoiada the priest gave to the captains the spears and the large and small shields that had been King David’s, which were in the house of God. 2 Chronicles 23:9 (ESV)

We are called to be a royal priesthood and at the same time we should be like soldiers ready to defend and restore the kingdom of God here on the earth. Jesus is our great General and King and we are called to be like Soldiers and Priests in His service. See 1 Peter 2:9 and 2 Timothy 2:3.

As a side note: Today’s account is like reading a really good novel, full of action and intrigue, it is like the script to a really good film. God’s word is full of real life accounts and is written so beautifully that it engages the heart while teaching us lessons for our own life.

I thank God that His word is not just records. I’m grateful that through the wonder of creation and the beauty of His word, God tells us stories (true stories) to engage our hearts and minds. If you missed that today and think ‘what is He talking about?’, read it again.

Called to be watchmen

And Jehoiada made a covenant between himself and all the people and the king that they should be the LORD’s people. 2 Chronicles 23:16 (ESV)

We thank God for this godly man Jehoiada. It is through his stand for God that Joash will grow up to be a godly king and he has led the way in these reforms that have seen God’s people restored to covenant relationship with Him.

Compromise and sin is cut off as the people destroy the house of baal.

It is also significant that Jehoida set watchmen and gatekeepers for the house of the Lord. We are called to be watchmen in prayer and gatekeepers in the word and truth.

Jesus told us to watch and pray and the bible teaches us that we should guard the gates of the church from heresy by knowing, rehearsing, living and defending the truth.

1 John 1:1–4

Eye witness accounts of the new covenant

that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. 1 John 1:3 (ESV)

This is how we received the New Testament. Eye witnesses from the ministry of Jesus like John wrote down what they had seen, heard and experienced for our sake that we might believe and come into relationship with God.

We should thank God for the writing and preservation of the New Testament / Covenant today.

We testify about what God has done for us too, so that others may come into fellowship with Him.

Jesus is the word of life, Jesus is eternal life and has always been with God.

Great news

And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete. 1 John 1:4 (ESV)

Our joy will only be complete when we share the Gospel with others, good news shared is great news!

Psalm 102:1–28

God is king

But you, O LORD, are enthroned forever; you are remembered throughout all generations. Psalm 102:12 (ESV)

We say amen and affirm again that God is the great King

Pray for the imprisoned

to hear the groans of the prisoners, to set free those who were doomed to die, Psalm 102:20 (ESV)

We can use this as we pray for our imprisoned brothers and sisters around the world.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

Desiring God on 1 John 1

Today’s reading: 2 Chron 19:1–20:37, Titus 3:12–15, Ps 101:1–8

Today’s theme: Hate sin and compromise

Our lesson today is that we should hate sin and compromise. This means we do not walk in agreement with those who have set themselves against the Lord and should run away from all sinful compromise.

2 Chronicles 19:1–20:37

Do not love the wicked!

But Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him and said to King Jehoshaphat, “Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the LORD? Because of this, wrath has gone out against you from the LORD. 2 Chronicles 19:2 (ESV)

Jehoshaphat was not just compromising with a sinner but with an apostate (one who knows the truth and turns away from it). One who had made it his mission to attack God’s people. Paul tells us to turn away for these sorts of people in 2 Thessalonians 3:14, 2 Timothy 3:5 and Titus 3:10 (from yesterday’s reading).

We are called to draw a very clear line of demarcation. We should not walk in compromise or throw in our lot with those who are clearly opposed to the Lord.

It goes against conventional wisdom but to truly love we have to truly hate. If I love my wife, I should hate the thought of being unfaithful. If we love God and His ways we will hate sin and those who set themselves against the Lord.

We should not love the wicked or those who are enemies of God. However we are commanded to love those who have made themselves our personal enemy. Matthew 5:44.

Spurred on by correction

Jehoshaphat lived at Jerusalem. And he went out again among the people, from Beersheba to the hill country of Ephraim, and brought them back to the LORD, the God of their fathers. 2 Chronicles 19:4 (ESV)

The king’s heart was set on the Lord. His response was not one of pride or anger when Jehu spoke to him. Instead we see that he set about bringing the people back to the Lord.

We need to ask ourselves, what will we do when corrected, will it spur us on in the work of the kingdom or cause us to draw back?

Hebrews 10:39 encourages us “But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.”

And Jesus reminds us that pruning is just so we can grow in John 15:2 “Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.”

The power of attorney

and said to the judges, “Consider what you do, for you judge not for man but for the LORD. He is with you in giving judgment. 2 Chronicles 19:6 (ESV)

We are also called to minister on God’s behalf. We have received the power of attorney which is “the authority to act for another person in specified legal or financial matters.” We speak and act as God’s ambassadors and government ministers for His kingdom.

Jesus gave us authority to work on His behalf in the world in Luke 10:19 “Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you. Also see John 20:23 and Matthew 28:18-20.

Paul points to this same idea of us ministering on God’s behalf in 2 Corinthians 5:20 “Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.” Also see Ephesians 6:20 and Galatians 4:14.

Acknowledge fear, turn to God for help

Then Jehoshaphat was afraid and set his face to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. 2 Chronicles 20:3 (ESV)

Again Jehoshaphat’s response when faced with a fearful situation is not to be swallowed up by the fear but to acknowledge it and turn to trust in God.

He saw that his dad ended up in pride, not seeking God for help. He learnt the lesson that he should not harm himself in pride but humbly ask God for help.

When we are afraid, we should not ignore the fear, we should acknowledge it and then turn to God with it and ask for help.

We are reminded in 1 Peter 5:7 “casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.”

Sovereign, The God King

and said, “O LORD, God of our fathers, are you not God in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. In your hand are power and might, so that none is able to withstand you. 2 Chronicles 20:6 (ESV)

This verse reminds us of one of the bible’s overarching themes, that God is sovereign over the universe, over every government and no one can withstand Him. He is the king ruling by divine decree, when He speaks a thing it comes to pass, no one can resist Him. God is The God King, The Sovereign Ruler over all. This truth should fill us with awe and faith.

Keep your eyes on Jesus

O our God, will you not execute judgment on them? For we are powerless against this great horde that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.” 2 Chronicles 20:12 (ESV)

God does not require that we know what to do, just that we keep our eyes on Him and trust Him.

Hebrews 12:2 reads “looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Stand firm

You will not need to fight in this battle. Stand firm, hold your position, and see the salvation of the LORD on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem.’ Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed. Tomorrow go out against them, and the LORD will be with you.” 2 Chronicles 20:17 (ESV).

We fight by standing firm and seeing God work. We need to make up our minds to stand for the truth, just making a stand for the truth means we are at war with the enemy.

We need to stand firm holding to our faith no matter what the world says. We should not compromise or shift around, we need to stand.

Paul rallies us to stand in Ephesians 6:13 “Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.”

We stand. God fights. We win!

Building through compromise will not last

Then Eliezer the son of Dodavahu of Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat, saying, “Because you have joined with Ahaziah, the LORD will destroy what you have made.” And the ships were wrecked and were not able to go to Tarshish. 2 Chronicles 20:37 (ESV)

We should not seek to build God’s kingdom through compromise with sinners and those opposed to God and the bible. Whatever is accomplished will ultimately be destroyed.

As we read earlier (verse 20) we are established and successful if we trust the Lord and believe the prophets and leaders He has appointed over us. We do not need to scheme and work things out in our own way, we need to trust God!

Paul reminds us that we must be careful how we build because all we have done will be appraised and rewarded and anything done in compromise is like building with wood, hay or stubble. None of these will survive the testing by fire as we read in 1 Corinthians 3:12–15 “…If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.”

Titus 3:12–15

Called to practical good works

And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful. Titus 3:14 (ESV)

We are called to practical good works. We should actively serve one another and not assume that “someone else” will do it.

Good works here speak of “visible acts of service that emerge from genuine faith”. Paul was calling for the believers to help the ministers he was sending to them. This gave them a practical way to work out all he had taught them in the letter.

We all have duties to fulfil in and as the body of Christ. We noted earlier in today’s reading that the work we do is on the Lord’s behalf.

We were given the Spirit to empower and enable us to work on God’s behalf and serve one another.

Psalm 101:1–8

Integrity

I will ponder the way that is blameless. Oh when will you come to me? I will walk with integrity of heart within my house; Psalm 101:2 (ESV)

This is the very essence of integrity, doing right when no one is looking

Hate sin

I will not set before my eyes anything that is worthless. I hate the work of those who fall away; it shall not cling to me. Psalm 101:3 (ESV)

The western world is so saturated with media that we need to be very careful about what we allow to come before our eyes.

There are the obvious things we should not allow to come before our eyes like the sexually immoral and pornographic media that floods the airwaves.

The more subtle thing is just general sin, displayed and spoken about as normal through media. This can slowly change our minds and bring us to a place of compromise like king Jehoshaphat with Ahab.

As we read today we should not love the sin and ways of the world or those that push / promote it. We should hate sin and the wicked because we love the Lord.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

The Gospel Coalition on Titus 3

Today’s reading: 2 Chron 17:1–18:34, Titus 3:8–11, Ps 99:1–100:5

Today’s theme: Be courageous, devoted and holy

Today we learn that we are to be courageous in heart, devoted to good works and holy as God is holy. We also learn that the Lord is holy, He is good and He is the only true God.

2 Chronicles 17:1–18:34

Be courageous in heart

His heart was courageous in the ways of the LORD. And furthermore, he took the high places and the Asherim out of Judah. 2 Chronicles 17:6 (ESV)

Courage is the strength of spirit that enables a person to face fear and difficulty. As Christians we are called to have this virtue in our character and in the way we serve God, just like Jehoshaphat. We must be bold and stand for the Lord.

Paul encourages us to be bold because of the hope we have through Christ, in 2 Corinthians 3:12 “Since we have such a hope, we are very bold.”

Jesus gives us boldness, we can be courageous because He gives us assurance, in Ephesians 3:12 “in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him.”

We should pray for one another, that we would have courageous faith. Paul also requested this prayer for himself in Ephesians 6:19–20 “and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.”

Titus 3:8–11

Be devoted in work

The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people. Titus 3:8 (ESV)

As Christians we should be devoted to good works in both our own behaviour and in doing good for others. We were not saved by works but we do work, because we are saved.

Here the word ‘devote’ has the sense of “to be preeminent”. We should lead the way in good works as an example to others and it should be one of the highest priorities of our lives.

Psalm 99:1–100:5

The Lord is holy

Exalt the LORD our God; worship at his footstool! Holy is he! Psalm 99:5 (ESV)

Here and in verse 9, we read that the Lord is holy. This is one of God’s great, unique attributes and speaks of God’s essential being, God literally is Holy.

The Hebrew word “qados” is translated as “holy”. It describes that which is by nature sacred, or that which has been admitted to the sphere of the sacred by divine rite. It describes therefore, that which is distinct or separate from the common or profane.

With this definition in mind, we realise that we are made holy by God and called to live in honour of that, by remaining separate from sin.

Hebrews 12:14 reminds us to “Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.”

The Lord is God

Know that the LORD, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Psalm 100:3 (ESV)

In our secular society we should affirm again that yes, the Lord is God.

Whilst the lie of evolution has become the conventional wisdom on how we got here, we must stand by the truth that God created us, we belong to Him, He is the king and deserves our allegiance.

The Lord is good

For the LORD is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations. Psalm 100:5 (ESV)

Another great attribute of God is that He is good. God is not evil and cannot be tempted with evil, He is good, He always has been and always will be.

We see the reflection of God’s goodness all around us, in creation, in the coming of Jesus and in the truth of His word.

Romans 2:4 remind us “Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?”

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

Desiring God on Titus 3

Today’s reading: 2 Chronicles 14:1–16:14, Titus 3:1–7, Psalm 97:1–98:9

Today’s theme: The calling and reward of peace

Today’s theme is our calling to the wonderful gift of God’s peace. True peace can only be found in God. Today, commit to rest in the peace that is yours in Christ.

2 Chronicles 14:1–16:14

The gift of peace

He built fortified cities in Judah, for the land had rest. He had no war in those years, for the LORD gave him peace.(2 Chronicles 14:6, ESV)

Asa was one of the few good kings we see after the time of David and Solomon. Verse 2 tells us that he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord. Due to his righteous conduct, God gave him a unique and prized gift, peace.

Peace was one of the special gifts that Jesus left with the church. Jesus said in John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”

Having a holiday or extra sleep does not guarantee true rest. The word ‘peace’ in this verse, is the Hebrew word ‘nwh’ which means to settle down, to stay settled, rest, to repose, to await, pacify, satisfy, place, set and lay.

God desires that we all experience peace, which is the reward for honouring Him. Paul reminds us of this in his benediction in 2 Thessalonians 3:16; “Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all.”

Ask God for help

And Asa cried to the LORD his God, “O LORD, there is none like you to help, between the mighty and the weak. Help us, O LORD our God, for we rely on you, and in your name we have come against this multitude. O LORD, you are our God; let not man prevail against you.”(2 Chronicles 14:11, ESV)

This is a great example from the early life of Asa as he relied on God, the one who had given him rest. He saw God as great and able to help him and this is true, our God is great and is able to help us if we turn to Him and ask for help.

This is a simple prayer that we should pray today. No matter our need or how overwhelming the odds seem, we openly humble ourselves and cry out to God for help, in faith.

Jesus reminds us in Matthew 7:7–8, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.”

Your work will be rewarded

But you, take courage! Do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded.”(2 Chronicles 15:7, ESV)

In this world, so many strive for their own peace and rest, this is often expressed in paying off their mortgage and having a long and relaxing retirement or a luxury holiday or some material object. These motivations are all wrong and they all give false peace and rest.

As we work in the Lord’s kingdom, we have the wonderful promise of reward to help spur us on. One of the rewards that we get even in this life, is peace and rest and it will ultimately be realised in the glory of heaven.

Paul reminds us in Galatians 6:9; “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up”

Guard your heart

For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him. You have done foolishly in this, for from now on you will have wars.”(2 Chronicles 16:9, ESV)

God is sovereign, He is in control and is well able to help His people at all times. He is actively seeking for opportunity to help us in response to our prayer.

We must put our trust in God to help us and we should guard ourselves from complacency, forgetfulness and ignorance:

1. We should not become complacent, so well adjusted to the peace and prosperity that comes from God, that we let our guard down and get caught out by the enemy. 1 Corinthians 10:12 reminds us; “Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.”
2. We must not forget what the Lord has already done for us. Our past experience with the Lord should encourage and bolster our faith. see Revelation 12:11
3. We must not become ignorant of who God is, this is why daily reading and meditating on the bible is so important. There should be moment by moment submission to God the Holy Spirit, who brings the word to our remembrance. Jesus encourages us in John 14:26.

Titus 3:1–7

Called to peace

Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. (Titus 3:1–2, ESV)

As Christians we are called to be model citizens, obeying the law of the land when it does not violate the word of God. We should also seek to be gentle and courteous.

We are called to avoid quarrelling, in other words we are called to peace. The peace that God has given us should help to govern our behaviour and we should spread it to others.

Sin brings no peace

For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another.(Titus 3:3, ESV)

Sin is slavery and can never bring peace. Our culture today encourages people to be slaves to their own selfish passions and pleasures.

We should not be living for ourselves as Christians, we should live for God and for others.

We do not need to strive for our own cause because God has given us peace.

Saved by God’s mercy

he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit. (Titus 3:5, ESV)

God saved us because of His own mercy, there was nothing we did to deserve it. Regeneration can only be initiated by God and is only possible through God the Holy Spirit.

We should remember that today; that God saved us and made us new by His Holy Spirit out of pure mercy and grace. This should fill us with hope, joy and peace.

Psalm 97:1–98:9

Rejoice in God’s deliverance

O you who love the LORD, hate evil! He preserves the lives of his saints; he delivers them from the hand of the wicked.(Psalm 97:10, ESV)

We should set our hearts to hate what is evil and rejoice that God preserves our lives and delivers us, thus giving us peace.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

The Gospel Coalition on Titus 3

Today’s reading: 2 Chron 11:1–13:22, Titus 2:9–15, Ps 96:1–13

Today’s theme: Grace trains us

There are a lot of good lessons today, centred around serving the King in His kingdom, by His grace, in purity. One of the most powerful and practical lessons is that the genuine grace of God does not open the door to sin (thus abusing that grace), but trains us to live holy lives in our union with Christ. God’s grace trains us, causing us to grow in the Lord.

2 Chronicles 11:1–13:22

God’s judgement

‘Thus says the LORD, You shall not go up or fight against your relatives. Return every man to his home, for this thing is from me.’ ” So they listened to the word of the LORD and returned and did not go against Jeroboam. 2 Chronicles 11:4 (ESV)

God is sovereign. The splitting of the kingdom was not the work of the devil, it was God’s own discipline and plan which He brought to pass for His own purposes.

This teaches us that even things, which on the surface seem negative, may be something God has brought to pass or allowed for His purposes. We must keep a full picture of God, He is not just a God who blesses, He brings judgement too. See Romans 8:28

God’s remnant

And those who had set their hearts to seek the LORD God of Israel came after them from all the tribes of Israel to Jerusalem to sacrifice to the LORD, the God of their fathers. 2 Chronicles 11:16 (ESV)

In the area of apologetics some will challenge the scripture in Revelation 7:4-8 for example, which speaks about 144,000 Jewish believers 12,000 form every tribe. The contention is that 10 of the tribes were lost in the Assyrian exile of the northern kingdom.

This scripture show that God actually preserved all Israel in the land of Judah, with those faithful to God fleeing the northern lands.

We must be like those who fled the north, we should not stand with compromise. This also helps us to understand why the reformation was so necessary.

Paul reminds us of God’s promise for setting ourselves aside to stand with the Lord, in 2 Corinthians 6:17-18 “Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you, and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.”

We should stand for and defend the true faith which has been once for all handed down to the saints as mentioned in Jude 3.

May God be your end

When the rule of Rehoboam was established and he was strong, he abandoned the law of the LORD, and all Israel with him. 2 Chronicles 12:1 (ESV)

This is a wicked trait of the human heart, we can often abandon God after we have received our desired end. This is why He must be our end. God should be our aim and treasure.

Paul reminds us in Philippians 3:8 “Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ.”

Again in Philippians 3:12 we read “Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.”

Abandoned by God

Then Shemaiah the prophet came to Rehoboam and to the princes of Judah, who had gathered at Jerusalem because of Shishak, and said to them, “Thus says the LORD, ‘You abandoned me, so I have abandoned you to the hand of Shishak.’ ” 2 Chronicles 12:5 (ESV)

Jesus echoes this characteristic of God, which flies in the face of modern images of God, as a beneficent father who only dispenses blessings.

Jesus, in His call for us to be loyal and faithful to our King and the kingdom, said in Matthew 10:33 “but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.”

and in Luke 9:26 “For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.”

The pull of sin

And he did evil, for he did not set his heart to seek the LORD. 2 Chronicles 12:14 (ESV)

Like the pull of gravity, if we do not set our hearts to serve the Lord, we will inevitably do evil, it is our nature as fallen creatures.

We are reminded to keep our hearts focused on Jesus and on serving Him, in Hebrews 12:2 “looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Why fight God?

Behold, God is with us at our head, and his priests with their battle trumpets to sound the call to battle against you. O sons of Israel, do not fight against the LORD, the God of your fathers, for you cannot succeed.” 2 Chronicles 13:12 (ESV)

This is true, it is foolish to fight God, no one can win no matter how much they try. It is like a boxer versus an ant, there is no contest. This is why it is foolish to resist God or to rebel against Him, He is God and we are not. He is the King, we should submit to Him and end the offence of rebellion.

Gamaliel echoes this truth in Acts 5:39-40 “but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God! So they took his advice…”

The battle shout

Then the men of Judah raised the battle shout. And when the men of Judah shouted, God defeated Jeroboam and all Israel before Abijah and Judah. 2 Chronicles 13:15 (ESV)

We can take confidence from this, we can cry out to God today, to see His deliverance in the middle of the battles we face.

Peter reminds us in 2 Peter 2:9 “then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment until the day of judgment.”

Titus 2:9–15

The Christian manifesto

not pilfering, but showing all good faith, so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour. Titus 2:10 (ESV)

This scripture (from verse 9 – 10) is a call for all of us who are employed, to be submissive to our superiors. We should not be argumentative and should be honest. This behaviour is like the dressing for our teaching and belief.

Correct beliefs without correct living is worthless and shameful.

This is the Christian manifesto for the workplace and we must adhere to it, to be good witnesses, and for the glory of God’s church and in turn God’s own glory.

Grace trains us

training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, Titus 2:12 (ESV)

God’s grace does not teach us that we can live however we want because we made a confession, no.

Here we learn that God’s grace and goodness which has appeared for all people through the good news, trains us to turn away from ungodly behaviour and evil passions driven by our heart and culture, to instead live self controlled, honest and godly lives in whatever age we are living in.

God’s grace means we can live in holiness as God requires, no matter our surroundings.

There is no excuse for Christians to live in compromise or sin , those who have truly been saved by grace will have a new nature that desires to live for God.

Jesus is God

waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ, Titus 2:13 (ESV)

The scripture clearly teaches that Jesus is God.

Redeemed to be pure

who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. Titus 2:14 (ESV)

Jesus’ substitutionary atonement for the church on the cross, was not made to give us a licence to sin but to set us free from the tyranny of sin.

Jesus’ intention is that we be pure, a pure people who stand and live for the King and His kingdom, as we read in the OT today.

Psalm 96:1–13

The gospel of the kingdom

Say among the nations, “The LORD reigns! Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved; he will judge the peoples with equity.” Psalm 96:10 (ESV)

We are called to declare this truth, the good news of the kingdom, that God is King and He reigns.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

The Gospel Coalition on Titus 2