Category: 2 Chronicles

Reading

Audio, Visual

SAA Notes

Hezekiah kept the Passover! This was an example to follow for the returnees, and is an example for us today! In Gospel terms, we should not absent ourselves from the Lord’s Table. This sacrament is most necessary for our spiritual refreshment, growth and well-being.

SJA Notes

* Lord Above, Your wisdom gives prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the youth – Thank You Lord!

“However, some men of Asher, of Manasseh, and of Zebulun humbled themselves and came to Jerusalem.”

The Passover (the Feast of Unleavened Bread, a reminder of what God did in rescuing His people out of Egypt) was being celebrated again!

There is great importance for God’s people to remember what God has done, for us.

As Israel was to remember God’s rescue of them out of Egypt, so we today are to remember God’s rescue of us out of our sin – In the Person of God the Son, Jesus Christ – His death and resurrection.

That is what we do when we celebrate the Lord’s Supper.

It is not a tradition of man, it is not a nice homily – Instead in the doing, in the practice, we grow closer to our God!

Remember what God has done protects us from the evil one, we are drawn closer to one another, we are reminded of the world and what it is.

When we remember what Jesus did for us we are shown the character of God. His steadfast love and faithfulness without end. His mercy to sinners, those deserving of His justice (all of us, every one), the right punishment for our rejection of Him.

And when we remember what Jesus did for us we are shown the truth of who we are.

Just like the people of Asher, Manasseh and Zebulun – We should humble ourselves before the Lord.

Are we letting our own pride inhibit us from the true worship of our God?

This was a question for the returning exiles. It is a question for us today.

* Father God in Heaven,

Thank You for rescuing us from our sin.

Thank You for Your grace and Your mercy to us. Thank You that You keep Your promises.

Please help us to come before You with humility in our hearts, today and onwards.

Please show us Jesus today.

Amen.

Reading

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SAA Notes

Hezekiah cleansed the Temple and restored public worship. This was a sudden revival that took everyone by surprise. (v.36) Verses 18-20 look to a greater and more powerful cleansing from sin than that of Temple sacrifice! The good Lord has provided atonement for us who look to Him – through Jesus!

SJA Notes

* Mighty God in Heaven, the fear of You is the beginning of knowledge.

“In the first year of his reign, in the first month, he opened the doors of the house of the LORD and repaired them.”

Right at the start of his reign as king, Hezekiah sets about to enact TRUE WORSHIP of the Lord.

This whole passage is dedicated to encouragement for readers – To be about the worship that our God has ordained through His word to us.

A good king seeks the benefit of God’s church.

How marvellous it is that in our High King of heaven, God the Son, Jesus – We have a king who is the head of the church, the bridegroom, the one who saves!

We are little tabernacles are bound up as the body, with our Lord Jesus as the head.

It is to Him that we come, this is our king!

He seeks our good.

And when people ask us, what else have we to do but point to His work on the cross – The true man bearing the just wrath of God in love, for His people.

Hallelujah, what a Saviour!

* Dear God,

Thank You for the witness of Hezekiah in this passage.

Please help us to approach You properly, in the order and form that You have set down. We want to worship You Lord, You are our God!

Thank You Lord, thank You.

Amen.

Reading

Audio, Visual

SAA Notes

We find here a leader who does what’s right in God’s sight, but a people who acted corruptly in spite of his example. Jotham’s own son and heir does not follow in his father’s footsteps, therefore judgment! 28:5 The religion he turned to condoned child-sacrifice! God was not pleased with this sincere religion!

SJA Notes

* Holy God, we praise You in Your sanctuary, we praise You in Your mighty heavens! We praise You for Your mighty deeds, according to Your excellent greatness!

“In the time of his distress he became yet more faithless to the LORD – this same King Ahaz.”

There is much importance weighted in how we respond to distress and hard situations.

Do we reject God like Ahaz did in times of hardship?

He turned to the false and destructive religion of a nation that God ordained to bring about punishment on Judah for their sin.

The apostle Peter no doubt wrestled with what to do as he faced the truth of his own betrayal, of the High King of Heaven, his dear friend and Saviour – Jesus, who was tried and beaten while Peter denied Him.

The response that God wants from us, that He gives to us as a healthy mechanism, a strong defence in times of trouble, Peter tells us,

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.”

Whether we are enduring much hardship, suffering like never before, or whether buoyed up with much joy and pleasant fields – This truth must be ours.

Let us be a people of humility, a flock that runs to the Good Shepherd, casting on Him the cares and worries of each day.

* Dear Father God,

Lord, please take our cares, we cast them on You.

We can be tired, worried, anxious about this or that.

Please take our burdens Lord God, refresh our spirits, put within us a desire to seek You and Your face, to be known by You, to know You better as You write Your word upon our hearts.

Little by little, please draw us closer to You.

Amen.