October 16, Reading 1 – 2 Kings 18

Reading

Audio, Visual

SAA Notes

Hezekiah is like Solomon, a glorious beginning with an ending that brings the dissolution of the kingdom and the judgment of God. Without Christ’s atonement, paradise is always lost by the saints. We who are spiritual (i.e. alive to God) are so easily overcome. Hezekiah repented (2 Chronicles 32:26) but that could not atone!

SJA Notes

* Dear God, in Your steadfast love give us life, that we might keep the testimonies of Your mouth.

“He trusted in the LORD, the God of Israel, so that there was none like him among all the kings of Judah after him, nor among those who were before him. For he held fast to the LORD.”

— For he held fast to the LORD. —

Notice that it is not great acts of kingship or politics, excellence in warfare or diplomacy – not these things makes Hezekiah a king set apart.

It is because he held fast to the LORD.

Like a little child grabbing hold of their parent’s leg when they are scared, tired, questioning or excited.

Like a drowning, floundering soul grasping onto anything floating in the ocean and gripping tight for their life.

God is our Heavenly Father. We are, in as much as is possible for us as frail jars, to hold fast to Him.

Hezekiah is an example for us today.

Let us be encouraged to cling fast to the Lord. To express and live out our desperate need for His strength, His arms to wrap us tight. For Him to save us daily from the troubles of this world (we cannot save ourselves). For Him to wash us clean in forgiveness of our sin, the daily muck and grime.

Praise God that He loves us so much!

* Great God Above,

Thank You for this witness Hezekiah gives us in that he held fast to You.

Please Lord God, please equip and strengthen, humble and grow us that we might hold fast to You each day.

Amen.

October 16, Reading 2 – Jeremiah 51:25-64

Reading

Audio, Visual

SAA Notes

Verse 26 is a strong statement regarding the future – our hope will not be in any world power. The Babylons of this world will never be the foundation or cornerstone for the future. Christ is the cornerstone that counts! Again, verses 45-48 remind us of Jesus’ words re Jerusalem in Matthew 24.

SJA Notes

* Lord God, please may we hear Your word to us today.

“Therefore thus says the LORD: ‘Behold, I will plead your case and take vengeance for you.'”

The Lord is our judge and our protector, our avenger of blood.

In Deuteronomy 32 we read, in a song of Moses, the Lord says,

“… Vengeance is mine, and recompense, for the time when their foot shall slip; for the day of their calamity is at hand, and their doom comes swiftly … I will take vengeance on my adversaries and will repay those who hate me.”

These truths make up parts of our sure and steady hope in God.

We lean on the Lord for JUSTICE.

We lean on the Lord for MERCY.

We are never alone, we have a God who takes care of vengeance. The

The book of Romans tells us,

“Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.'”

Are we taking vengeance into our own hands?

May we work to leave it in the Lord’s hands.

* Gracious Father,

As we seek to live as Your people, please remind us of Your love, Your grace and mercy, Your justice.

May we not be overcome with evil, but in Your strength may evil be overcome with good.

Amen.

October 16, Reading 3 – 1 Timothy 2

Reading

Audio, Visual

SAA Notes

Why would Paul single out these concerns for both men and women – prayer without anger or fighting for men; and modesty with behaviour appropriate to their profession of faith for women?

SJA Notes

* Lord God, Your word can be hard to for us to understand. Please mark us as a people that trusts You are wiser than we are, and that You will teach us what You have for us to know.

“… That we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.”

There are hard words to read in this passage.

We know that God’s word is the always-truth-mirror for our hearts. And so even when they are hard, we must wrestle with His words to us, and submit under His will.

Which from this passage is that we lead peaceful and quiet lives, godly and dignified in every way.

How can we live this like, in a way that is pleasing to God?

Paul opens this up with calling on men to pray without anger or quarrelling, and women to dress themselves in good works rather than the vanity of the world.

Are these two calls the end of wisdom? No, of course not.

But it is here for us to read and dwell on, to ask God for his wisdom in how we go about pleasing Him.

* Father God,

Please help us be wise in Your wisdom. As we read Your word, please write it on our hearts, that we might not sin against You.

And as we come to passages that might prick our hearts, please Lord may we work to be humble and contrite, knowing that You are the God who loves us, who sent His Son to die for us. That You are working all things for our good.

Amen.