Fallen Away

Focus verses: II Kings 21:2-16

Today's reading shows us two things. Manasseh was the son of Hezekiah. Hezekiah's reign in Judah was one of spiritual renewal. But Hezekiah died when Manasseh was only twelve years old, so Manasseh didn't have the maturity in the Lord to keep the faith that his father had passed on.

We are not told whether Manasseh had bad advisors, or whether his mother, Hephzibah, could have influenced his waywardness, but he fell back into idolatry and pagan worship.

God has no grandchildren. Each must come to God of his own free will. It is a unique relationship. It makes no difference if your father was a priest or a pagan. It isn't important whether your mother was a servant of God or a princess of Baal.

The relationship with God is unique to each person. Just as a parent loves each of his children differently, God loves each of us differently -- not less nor more -- but taking into consideration the uniqueness of the relationship with each child. Each of us must come to the knowledge of God on his/her own.

The second thing we learn is that the consequences of infidelity are the same from generation to generation. A return to idolatry and pagan worship will be rewarded with destruction.

Father, God,

Help us to appreciate the uniqueness of our relationship with you. Teach us Your ways so that we can impart them to our children and lead them to the knowledge and worship of You.

In Jesus' most precious name.
Amen.

Our Compassionate God

Focus verses: II Chronicles 30:1-9

King Hezekiah returned Judah to the worship of the Lord. He had the Levites purify the Temple, and he invited the northern tribes to a Passover feast. While most did not participate, a few did.

The invitation that went out said "return to the Lord, The of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, the He may return to you who are left." And it ended with "the Lord your God is gracious and compassionate. He will not turn his face from you if you return to Him."

Hezekiah knew the Lord well. He did what was good and right. Therefore he prospered.

Righteousness is its own reward. But it seems that prosperity of one sort or another follows the righteous person. Prosperity is not always financial; frequently it takes the form of spiritual well-being and contentment.

The wealth of the Christian is the favor of the Lord. It is the knowledge that God is always in control of whatever circumstances may be around us. For our God is compassionate and forgiving to those who love and serve Him.

Father, God,

Keep us ever mindful that our life, our hope, and our prosperity is to be found only in You. Help us to purify our temples for Your service.

In Jesus' most precious name.
Amen.

A Righteous King In Judah

Focus verses: II Kings 18:1-7

After all the prophecies of doom and gloom, both against the children of Israel and against their enemies, we have a moment's respite.

Hezekiah, king of Judah, trusted the Lord and did what was right in His eyes. He removed the high places of worship to idols and cut down the Asherah poles. He took anything that could have been called an idol and destroyed it. And the Lord prospered all that he did.

In the middle of all the corruption and evil, one king brought Judah back to the worship of the true God. There are consequences for righteousness as well as consequences for sin.

The consequences of Hezekiah's faithfulness are just what you would expect. Everything he undertook was successful.

God has given us a blueprint for success and prosperity. He handed it to Moses on Mount Sinai. We are not able to follow that blueprint precisely because we are a fallen people, but God has even given us His Son to cover our shortcomings. God looks at our hearts, not just our actions.

Because we are children of Adam and Eve, we will never be able to keep the law completely. But that shouldn't keep us from striving to keep it all. Nor should it give us an excuse for not trying.

If we are faithful to Him, God will prosper the work of our hands. That doesn't mean we will all be millionaires. It does mean that our efforts will be rewarded in one fashion or another.

That reward, however, should not be our goal. Our goal is complete fidelity to the Lord. We may fall short, but we can always pick ourselves up and start again. The more we seek to follow, the better we will get at it.

Father, God,

Save us from being deluded by the lures of this world. Keep us faithful, single-minded on serving You alone.

In Jesus' most precious name.
Amen.