II Chronicles 13-14
There becomes a definite chasm between Israel and Judah during this next section of history.
Abijah tries to reason with Jeroboam, saying “Have you not driven out the priests of the Lord and made for yourselves priests like the peoples of other lands?…But as for us, the Lord is our God, and we have not forsaken Him.” This new king is trying to deflect the war which Jeroboam wants to pursue.
However, his attempts are useless, and Jeroboam goes after his brothers of Judah. In so doing, he comes after God Himself, and he gets routed. “And Jeroboam did not again recover strength in the days of Abijah.”(13:20) “But Abijah became powerful…”(13:21)
Asa took the reigns after Abijah, and he also was a good king. He removed the high places and incense altars so that God continued to honor his position.
As a result, more years of peace follow.
Speaking of high places, do you have some in your life? Of course not, you say, but don’t be so fast.
The modern day high places are things we honor along with our God – and sometimes in place of our God.
So what are some of these? Position in society, big houses, luxuries, even education can become a high place.
Now all of these things are blessings from God when we put Him first. But when they come before our allegiance to God, then they are idols.
If He calls you to worship in a small, unimpressive congregation instead of the big, showy one, what do you do? If He wants you to leave the comforts of your sophisticated community to minister to those who are less fortunate, do you do it?
So what if a doctrinal error becomes the rage and everyone seems to be “going that way,” what do you do? If you see something different in the Word, whom do you honor, God or man?
What’s more important to you? That’s the key. Is the way you look to man more important, or the way you look to God?
These can be hard questions sometimes, but they are necessary for the life of faith.
We have many opportunities to reject sound doctrine for the sake of our reputation. I pray that you and I won’t do that.
We will go with God, even when it isn’t popular.
John 12: 1-26
“The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.”(V.23) With this statement, Jesus introduces the concept that He is not only the Lamb of God. He is also the Seed of God.
When a seed is planted, it must go into the ground and die, then it brings forth fruit. So if Jesus is the seed, what is the fruit?
We are!
When Jesus died on the cross and went into hell for three days, He paid the price, rose again, and ascended to heaven. That’s how He was glorified. In so doing, He made the way for us to become sons of God.
Hebrews 2:11 says that He was not ashamed to call us brothers. Jesus was the first man to be born again – while in the depths of the earth.
He fell into the ground and died so that we might live for Him. He is the seed, and we are the fruit He bore in His death.
This is something to think about , isn’t it?
