Tag: pray

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Systems – One Lid to a Healthy Church

Systems are the inner workings of strategies, the wires that make them work individually and connect them together. Effective systems only happen with well thought out and very intentional design that is kept up-to-date. Yes, you have to keep thinking about your strategies and systems after the church is launched and throughout its life-cycles. This isn’t new, we see this in the early church in Acts as they begin to grow through the roof:

So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.” Acts 6:2-4

Newsflash: You don’t have to DO everything! 

No doubt this isn’t news to you, but turning responsibility over to others means you have to define what you are handing over with the appropriate level of detail to achieve your specific goals. This is especially important when you consider most of the work is done by volunteers who only have a few hours a week to support their ministry area.

Here’s a example of a few strategies and potential systems:

Strategy Systems
 Prayer Team Church database group, email list
 Discipleship Small groups, curriculum, calendar
 Outreach Community needs assessment survey, list of community services contacts
 Facilities Ongoing requirements and updated list of volunteers by time and capabilities
 Congregational Care Matched list of needs to care givers, email list
 Assimilation Connection cards, identified next steps
 Ministry Teams Volunteer availability and assignments, training, transitioning

While there is nothing super insightful about that list above, what is amazing is the simple truth than many churches have not invested the time to create and maintain a table as simple as this! Identify systems that can easily fuel your strategies. Matching systems to strategies is key to achieving consistent excellence in any organization. Think like a volunteer when you select each system. In other words, don’t expect someone to spend 20 or 30 hours learning your system. It has to be current, specific and easy to use. Look for systems that can be used across strategies, especially modern church database management systems–these can really help you by organizing data and staying consistent.

Systems Organize and Extend Strategies

System provide details that support, organize and extend strategies for achieving the unique calling and vision for the local church. The systems that fuel each strategy are customized for your specific needs within your culture. It’s important to prioritize and organize based on your local context and needs–either where you are today or where you are strategically planning to move in the near future.  In other words, you can’t pull a chapter out of a book and simply say, “this is our system, do this!” Invest the time to customize each for your needs.

Please hear this, systems don’t have to be complicated! In many ways, we have a tendency to overthink systems and develop complicated logic that people have a hard time getting their minds around. That’s not to say you shouldn’t think through various contingencies, but you don’t have to design a children’s ministry for 500 when you average 50 children each week.

Synergy

When systems are well aligned to the vision of the church, each ministry works together as Paul described in 1 Corinthians 12:12-27: One body with many parts. Open the case to your computer and cut just one wire. How do you think that will work out? Or better yet, think about your physical body and how the respiratory system fuels the cardiovascular system which provides blood to the entire body. Each does their part and when each is fully functioning, your body is able to achieve incredible feats by working together. You know this. My guess is you’ve probably preached sermon series on the topic. Now it’s time to listen to your own advice.

Produce Fruit

The purpose of all of this is to produce fruit, to grow the body of Christ by making disciples that make disciples, to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter 3:18). The reminder here is to help you focus on developing and maintaining systems throughout your ministry. Don’t etch your systems in granite! Learn to adapt over time, review them annually and be willing to change when necessary. One of the ways to accomplish this is to have fresh eyes look at individual systems. In other words, listen to your newest member and your most recent guests.

If you have effective, Christ-centered systems in place, your church will have the capacity to grow and the Holy Spirit will no doubt make that happen.

 

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Temple is Dedicated

Read: 2 Chronicles 6-7 and Psalm 79

O God, the nations have invaded your inheritance;
they have defiled your holy temple,
they have reduced Jerusalem to rubble.
They have left the dead bodies of your servants
as food for the birds of the sky,
the flesh of your own people for the animals of the wild.
They have poured out blood like water
all around Jerusalem,
and there is no one to bury the dead.
Psalm 79:1-3

Reading Psalm 79 alongside of this section in 2 Chronicles makes me wonder what it was like to be a prophet during these tumultuous times. Imagine being a prophet that is given this vision of the future, especially at a time when the temple is about to be dedicated. I know this is a bit out of step chronologically, but soon we’ll be reading through Isaiah to Malachi when the kingdom of God’s chosen people is divided, exiled and greatly misled. Yes, I’m ahead of myself, but these thoughts run through my head as I read the joy with which the temple is built and dedicated.

There are some minor differences in the a narrative accounts of Solomon’s dedication, but the overwhelming theme is that of praise and glory to God for all he has done for Israel, for his people. The Name of God is to be praised for he keeps his promises.

Solomon knows there is no actual dwelling place to contain God:

But will God really dwell on earth with humans? The heavens, even the highest heavens, cannot contain you. How much less this temple I have built! 2 Chronicles 6:18

In my mind, this reminder distinguishes this temple from that of other gods in the surrounding lands where idols are worshiped in troves. This is a place of worship, a place where they escape their daily lives and come to focus on God alone. Having a physical place to escape to is a wonderful concept, not to be confused with idol worship.

Solomon’s prayer is pretty clear here: this is a special place of refuge where people come and submit their hearts to the Lord, especially for repentance because of:

  • Wrongful actions against their neighbor
  • Defeat by an enemy because of personal sin
  • In times of drought, famine or plague

Solomon speaks prophetically for “the foreigners,” people like you and I to come before the Lord:

Do whatever the foreigner asks of you, so that all the peoples of the earth may know your name and fear you, as do your own people Israel, and may know that this house I have built bears your Name. 2 Chronicles 6:33

God enunciated the prayer with a special kind of amen: fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of the Lord filled the temple. 2 Chronicles 7:1. These were the best of times! Great joy and unity, songs filled the hearts and ears of many.

On the twenty-third day of the seventh month he sent the people to their homes, joyful and glad in heart for the good things the Lord had done for David and Solomon and for his people Israel. 2 Chronicles 7:7

The Lord Appears to Solomon

the Lord appeared to him at night and said:
“I have heard your prayer and have chosen this place for myself as a temple for sacrifices.
2 Chronicles 7:12

These words of assurance are truly incredible:

if my people, who are called by my name,
will humble themselves and pray and
seek my face and
turn from their wicked ways,
then I will hear from heaven, and
I will forgive their sin and
will heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7:14

If…then. This verse makes its way to billboards from time to time as a means of reassuring us the we are still his people. Sadly, in just a few chapters, we’ll read the result of the rest of God’s words to Solomon, “but if you turn away…” (2 Chronicles 7:19-22).

There is so much more to the story, but this is a wonderful moment to stop and pray, to humble ourselves before you. All honor, all glory, all praise to you!

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The Ark Brought to Jerusalem

1 Chronicles 13-15

Chapter 13 provides the narrative of David’s desire and attempt to return the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem. Ezra (assuming he’s the author of Chronicles), places this narrative out of sequence, up front, perhaps to emphasize David’s heart and desire to please God and the people. The first few verses show that everyone agreed this was a good idea; however, no one apparently remembered to proper procedures — or perhaps they were afraid to tell the new king he was making a mistake. Interesting thought.

David wanted to make a big production out of transferring the ark–all good intentions–but failed to properly transport the ark as laid out the law. Only the Levites (specifically the Kohathite clan (see Exodus 25:12-15 and Numbers 4:15) were supposed to carry the articles of the temple and even they were further instructed on how to carry it with certain poles, etc.

He failed. Uzzah died.

It’s interesting that verse 10 says, “the Lord’s anger” followed by verse 11, “David was angry.” David’s party was a bust and he knew he blew it in front of all of Israel.

David was afraid of God that day
1 Chronicles 13:12

This is real fear, the kind of fear born from guilt and recognition that he was mistaken, that perhaps he had his focus too much on his own glory. I feel bad for David. Years of hiding and running from Saul are finally over and he has assembled an incredible army of devoted fighting men. God is certainly on his side. So many times we see amazing, gifted leaders, filled with the Holy Spirit, get out of step with God’s plan. Unintentionally, they let their personal agenda out-rank that of God’s plan. The results are always disastrous. The only real question is when, not if; they will fall?

David’s reaction is to leave the ark in the nearby village:

The ark of God remained with the family of Obed-Edom in his house for three months, and the Lord blessed his household and everything he had. 1 Chronicles 13:14

God honored those who cared for the ark, again my presumption is simple: Obed-Edom sought to honor God above David; therefore, the Lord blessed them.

David got his act together quickly and the Lord blessed him with many children (though I’m hard-pressed to understand the “many” wives idea). In Chapter 14, the narrative shows David asking God for direction, then promptly defeating the Philistines, not once, but twice.

Now David is on the right path, he is walking in step with the Lord.

It was because you, the Levites, did not bring it up the first time that the Lord our God broke out in anger against us. We did not inquire of him about how to do it in the prescribed way.” 1 Chronicles 15:13

“We” seems a little defensive, but perhaps David was given bad advice, so it may be that he is simply deflecting the blame and letting the people know he was part of the “we.”

Chapter 15 shows a careful account of moving the ark properly, complete with the combined worship teams and full celebration! Here we go–try #2!

I love this thought:

So David and the elders of Israel and the commanders of units of a thousand went to bring up the ark of the covenant of the Lord from the house of Obed-Edom, with rejoicing. 1 Chronicles 15:25

“With rejoicing.” There is nothing like ministry when everyone is in step, when all hearts and voices are honoring and praising the Lord! It’s difficult to put into words, perhaps impossible, but the sense you get when you know beyond a shadow of a doubt that what you’re doing in the moment is exactly what God wants you to be doing is sensational. That’s the sense I get from the phrase, with rejoicing, here. So cool.

But wait, there’s Michal watching from afar. She is not so moved by the show. The details in 2 Samuel 6:14 show that David was dancing with all his might, undignified in her eyes, so she despised David. Sad to read the result in 2 Samuel 6:23, she had no children to the day of her death.

So goes the roller-coaster of ministry here on earth where God’s imperfect people try to do their best. Lord, don’t let the downs outweigh the ups! Help us to celebrate freely and not be so focused on those who want to selfishly point out our mistakes. Grace to grace. Your will above ours. Teach us to love each other:

…being like-minded,
having the same love,
being one in spirit and of one mind.
Philippians 2:2

Yes, Lord, help us to be that community of believers that leans on each other. I hope and pray that we can do this while keeping you the center of all.

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Genealogies in Chronicles

1 Chronicles 1-10 and Psalm 76

Cruising through the first 10 chapters of 1 Chronicles we read the long list of names from Adam to Abraham. Quite remarkable when you think about it, especially when you remember God’s restart with Noah.

Then we read the two branches of Abraham’s family: Isaac and Ishmael, Esau and Jacob (aka Israel). The kings of Judah are listed concisely in 1 Chronicles 3:10-16, but interestingly, we don’t have a corresponding list of the northern kings, the lost tribes of Israel.

Jabez

Some years ago, The Prayer of Jabez, by Bruce Wilkinson, was a best seller. Just two verses in between the list of genealogies, the prayer depicts God’s desire to bless those who are faithful:

Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez, saying, “I gave birth to him in pain.” Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” And God granted his request.
1 Chronicles 4:9-10

Published in the year 2000, this small book (in length and in physical size) was a big hit. I guess we all needed to turn our minds toward the possibility that God will bless us if we would simply ask. Certainly a key component of the prosperity Gospel that fuels many ministries, my prayer is this isn’t a stumbling block for those who are seeking Christ. Surely God cares for his people, but we know from experience this doesn’t always mean we gain earthly possessions by request and being free from harm is not guaranteed. To be fair, the book makes no guarantees, but people rarely read carefully and often run down rabbit trails that are not consistent with the rest of scripture.

“And God granted his request” 1 Chronicles 4:10
compared to
“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God,
who give generously to all without finding fault,
and it will be given to you” James 1:5

(I had to include the whole verse from James, though I’m sure many simply include the last phrase).

Faith is the cornerstone. Lord, may we believe that you have our best in mind, even when we don’t understand the process, path or journey!

Tribes Listed

The remainder of 1 Chronicles 4 through 8 contains genealogies of the tribes of Israel. I like the fact that we see “The Temple Musicians” listed in their own section (1 Chronicles 6:54-80). Music is an integral part of worship and these early worship leaders had great responsibility and found themselves worthy of being identified among the followers of God.

Chapter 9 ends with the genealogy of Saul followed by a short chapter titled, “Saul Take His Life,” a sad end to the beginning of kings of Israel.

Saul died because he was unfaithful to the Lord; he did not keep the word of the Lord and even consulted a medium for guidance, and did not inquire of the Lord. So the Lord put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David son of Jesse. 1 Chronicles 10:13-14

So many names, so little time, hundreds of years are captured here. This quick trip through 10 chapters in 1st Chronicles gives us some perspective: God cares about his people. I think it’s safe to say that those who are faithful are blessed and those who are not do not find joy. Lord, all honor, all praise to you, the author and perfecter or all things. For those who have received Christ, who recognize the need for repentance and put their trust in Jesus, we know our names are included in the Book of Life (Revelation 20:12). Beyond words, but privilege of hearing our names called is incredibly humbling. At the same time, not hearing the names of loved ones is terrifying and sad beyond comprehension. May we remember to pray for the lost, but not take on guilt for their decision to ignore the Holy Spirit.

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Zophar – Round 2 and Job’s Reply

Job 20-21

Zophar picks up his line of reasoning by expressing his personal disdain for Job’s words:

“My troubled thoughts prompt me to answer
because I am greatly disturbed.
I hear a rebuke that dishonors me,
and my understanding inspires me to reply.”
Job 20:2-3

How could someone like Job possibly rebuke Zophar? Zophar is doing fine, checking his lists, living in self-righteousness. He left his home to comfort a friend who has “obviously” committed some grievous sin as evidenced by the disaster that has fallen upon him. From his perspective, Job is not the victim of some injustice, rather he is the victim of his own misgivings and therefore unqualified to offer suggested remedies, much less rebuke those who have taken time from their busy lives to help poor old Job. “I hear a rebuke that dishonors me…” comes from this pious position.

“…my understanding inspires me to reply.” Zophar is so secure in himself that he has the ability to impart his special wisdom on Job. Here is Zophar’s incredible insight:

  • godless people don’t last long
  • these people will perish like dung
  • like a dream, they flitter away
  • he will swallow the evil that is so sweet in his mouth
  • snakes in his stomach will destroy him
  • God will inflict his punishment

In other words, my friend Job, all of this you are seeing is your own doing–you brought this on yourself.

When we sit with those who have far less material resources than we do, is it possible that these thoughts run through our minds? How did you get here? What mistakes did you make to land in your sibling’s house with two other families? “Obviously” you’ve made mistakes or you wouldn’t be here. Let me console you with my wisdom, then drive away in my car to my well-deserved house.

I’m not proposing a poverty or prosperity theology, only suggesting that we must guard against this line of reasoning. Perhaps we should teach something like a Zophar Test before heading into the mission field. Or perhaps on a more positive scale, a Mother Theresa test to be sure our hearts are in the right place.

Side note: Isn’t it interesting that we tend to focus on those who are outwardly struggling, those who have little income and few resources to overcome that which has set them back. The guy that just drove by me in a shiny new Porsche is probably farther from God than the man who sits on the porch on disability, unable to hold a job to support his family.

Zophar’s conclusion:

“Such is the fate God allots the wicked,
the heritage appointed for them by God.”
Job 20:29

Here we are in the center of Job, lost in the world’s definition of success, of cause and effect logic, as we witness how easy and absurd it is to slip down the path of self-righteous indignation. So much to learn from these extreme characters, but we’re not done yet!

Job Replies

Job counters Zophar’s line of reasoning with his own observations about the wicked:

  • Why do the wicked live on, growing old and increasing in power?
  • Their homes are safe even though they are far from God
  • Bulls breed, cows calve — no problems there!
  • They have lots of happy children dancing about
  • The live and die in prosperity

Explain that Zophar! You’ve seen it. You’ve seen those who are far from God live in apparent prosperity while never darkening the steps of a church or even considering their sinful, self-indulgent behavior. How does that work, O most wise Zophar?

Job keeps pointing to God while his friends keep pointing to themselves. Interesting. “Can anyone teach knowledge to God, since he judges even the highest?” (Job 21:22). All are equal in God’s eyes, rich or poor, strong or weak, able or crippled. Job keeps prompting his friends to take a broader view of life.

Even in his personal pain and agony, Job offers this insight as he ends this round:

“So how can you console me with your nonsense?
Nothing is left of your answers but falsehood!”
Job 21:34

If I learn nothing else from this round, I hope that I learn to withhold judgment based on circumstantial evidence. God can certainly see beyond the temporal issues of today and see deep into the soul. I know I can’t look that deeply, but I can look beyond the surface if I would simply stop and pray for wisdom.

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Zophar Speaks, Job Replies

Job 11-14

Zophar picks up where Bildad left off with another cold slap in the face:

“Is this talker to be vindicated?
Will your idle talk reduce others to silence?
Will no one rebuke you when you mock? Job 11:2-3

To add insult to injury, Zophar then mocks Job by reducing his arguments to the phrase: “My beliefs are flawless and I am pure in your sight” (Job 11:4). No, Zophar, that’s not what Job said, but thanks for throwing that in his face! He’s not done yet: “But the witless can no more become wise than a wild donkey’s colt can be born human.” (Job 11:12).

As a software programmer, I can’t help but highlight Zophar’s if..then logical solution:

if ( ( you devote your heart to him ) && 
     ( stretch out your hands to him ) ) 
{
   if  ( ( you put away the sin that is in your hand ) && 
         ( allow no evil to dwell in your tent ) ) 
   {
         then,
         free of fault, you will lift up your face;
         you will stand firm and
         without fear.
   }
} 
Job 11:13-15

Job Replies

Job’s reply goes something like this, “Isn’t it wonderful to know that you guys, my friends, are the wisest the world has ever known!! I’m so blessed to have such amazingly friends!” [the bright neon sarcasm sign is flashing]

“Doubtless you are the only people who matter, and wisdom will die with you! But I have a mind as well as you; I am not inferior to you. Who does not know all these things?”
“My eyes have seen all this, my ears have heard and understood it. What you know, I also know; I am not inferior to you. Job 12:2-3, 13:1-2

The debate is really heating up now. In my imagination I see Job and his comrades in an open room stomping around as they take turns in venting frustration from the hand that life has dealt. His friends are confident that Job has committed some grievous sin that he simply will not confess so they turn up the rhetoric loud and clear.  Job affirms his understanding that God is the God of the land, sea and sky; he is the Lord of all: the good and those who are evil. God’s power and wisdom cannot be questioned, “What he tears down cannot be rebuilt; those he imprisons cannot be released” (Job 12:14). Then he slips in another jab:

He silences the lips of trusted advisers and takes away the discernment of elders. Job 12:20

Hint, hint my friends,

“If only you would be altogether silent! For you, that would be wisdom!”
“Will you argue the case for God?”
“Keep silent and let me speak; then let come to me what may.” Job 13:5, 8, 13

I’m reminded of Brennan Manning’s, The Ragamuffin Gospel, chapter 7, where the story moves to a rehab center. Max is on the hot-seat, refusing to admit his addiction to alcohol and the tragic consequences. It’s a compelling story that unpacks the notion of counterfeit grace and quite difficult to read without getting swept up in the pain Max must have felt. Job’s friends are convinced that their “tough love” is exactly what he needs right now. From their perspective, they are simply being great friends that are not afraid to call him out–he’s just in denial!

Job turns introspective again and paints a picture that vividly reminds us of Grace upon Grace:

“At least there is hope for a tree: If it is cut down, it will sprout again, and its new shoots will not fail. Its roots may grow old in the ground and its stump die in the soil, yet at the scent of water it will bud and put forth shoots like a plant.” Job 14:7-9

What a wonderful picture of hope: “yet at the scent of water it will bud and put forth shoots…” I love the imagery and the affirmation that hope runs deep.

Job, once again, inadvertently points us to Jesus:

“If someone dies, will they live again? All the days of my hard service I will wait for my renewal to come.” Job 14:14

He puts his faith completely in God, though he is completely confused and frustrated by all that is happening around him.

At this point, we’ve just finished round 1 of the discourses. Job’s friends don’t know that they’re wrong and Job is himself pretty confused. Here’s the real challenge: would we be able to see clearly in this situation? At the very least I pray that we would be willing to lock ourselves in the room with our friends and tough it out, that we would have friends deep enough and strong enough in our lives to convict us, to show us where we have strayed. Lord I earnestly pray for discernment. I pray the Holy Spirit would guide my thoughts as I try to love my brothers and sisters, especially the ones I don’t know yet! Keep me humble, Lord.

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Josiah’s Reforms; Fall of Jerusalem; Captivity

2 Kings 23-25

Josiah Finishes Well

Josiah receives the message from Huldah well. Her words from the Lord give him inspiration. (Note: Interesting that a male dominated culture has no problem seeking the advice of a female prophet.) Josiah invited everyone in Jerusalem, from the least to the greatest, to hear the Word of the Lord.

He read in their hearing all the words of the Book of the Covenant, which had been found in the temple of the Lord. The king stood by the pillar and renewed the covenant in the presence of the Lord–to follow the Lord and keep his commands, statutes and decrees with all his heart and all his soul… 2 Kings 23:2-3

Everyone recommitted themselves to the teaching, they all agreed to uphold their part of the covenant.

Josiah systematically removed all of the articles of worship throughout the kingdom…a lot of stuff to be burned and destroyed. Remember that Manasseh ruled for 55 years and incorporated all kinds of idolatrous worship. Josiah removed them all. Even the place where it all began:

Even the altar at Bethel, the high place made by Jeroboam son of Nebat, who had caused Israel to sin–even that altar and high place he demolished. 2 Kings 23:15

Josiah served the Lord with all his heart, soul and strength and he gave the ultimate sacrifice on the battlefield fighting the Egyptians.

Jehoahaz

Next we have Jehoahaz, 23 years old. He “reigned” for 3 months. I put reigned in quotes because of the extremely short duration of his rise to the throne! In just 3 months “he did evil in the eyes of the Lord” (2 Kings 23:32. Seriously? Pharaoh took Jehoahaz away in chains; he died in Egypt.

Jehoiakim

Pharaoh Necho placed Eliakim, one of Josiah’s sons, in charge as king, but renamed him Jehoiakim. The Pharaoh wanted people to know he was in charge! Jehoiakim was 25 when he was made king and he reigned for 11 years. The puppet of Pharaoh did evil in the eyes of the Lord, again.

Nebuchadnezzar enters the picture during Jehoiakim’s reign. For 3 years Nebuchadnezzar, the crown prince of Babylon, defeated Pharaoh and began asserting his power.

Surely these things happened to Judah according to the Lord’s command, in order to remove them from his presence because of the sins of Manasseh and all he had done, including the shedding of innocent blood. 2 Kings 24:3

Jehoiachin

Another short-lived ascent to the throne, Jehoiachin was 18 and reigned for 3 months. His claim to fame is surrendering to Nebuchadnezzar when he came in person to Jerusalem. He imprisoned Jehoiachin until the 37th year of exile when Awel-Marduk became king of Babylon released him.

All of Jerusalem was taken into exile and all of the treasures from the temple were removed. “Only the poorest people of the land were left” (2 Kings 24:14).

Zedekiah

Zedekiah (renamed by the king of Babylon) was placed as king. At 21 years of age, he reigned for 11 years. There was no real hope that another puppet-king would have a chance, but we always have a choice and Zedekiah chose to do evil in the eyes of the Lord.

The Fall of Jerusalem

At this point it is no surprise that we come to the end of the kings of our ancestors. Nebuchadnezzar takes over in full force:

He set fire to the temple of the Lord, the royal palace and all the houses of Jerusalem. Every important building he burned down. The whole Babylonian army under the commander of the imperial guard broke down the walls around Jerusalem. 2 Kings 25:9-10

The life-work of Solomon was destroyed. Everything that was used to glorify God was removed, carried away to Babylon. Gone.

So Judah went into captivity, away from her land. 2 Kings 25:21

Those who were afraid fled to Egypt to hide. How interesting that they would seek refuge in the very place that Moses led them out of so many years ago.

Conclusion

As those of us who call ourselves Christ-followers go about our daily lives, I pray that we can see the ways we have become like the many who did evil in the eyes of the Lord, but only enough to turn away from the foolishness of idolatry. Jesus gave us a simple command to “go and make disciples” (Matthew 28:19). But simple doesn’t mean easy. It’s truly difficult to discern the difference between paths that are before us. Living in this world while not being consumed by its demands is a challenge. We only have a chance if we put Christ first. Lord, help us to do just that. Help us to love you first with everything we have and love others. Let that shine through us and draw people to Christ.

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Hezekiah’s Life Extended; Manasseh’s Evil

2 Kings 20-22 and Psalm 69

Hezekiah contract some deadly disease and is about to die when Isaiah comes to pay him a visit. Not one to beat around the bush, Isaiah tells him to “Put your house in order, because you are going to die; you will not recover” (2 Kings 20:1). Hezekiah accepts the word of the prophet, turns aside to pray,

“Remember, Lord, how I have walked before you faithfully and with wholehearted devotion and have done what is good in your eyes.” 2 Kings 20:3

Hezekiah wept bitterly. Assuming these were his last words with Isaiah, he honors the Lord and simply says, don’t forget I gave you my best.

The story could have ended there, but before Isaiah was able to leave the middle court (my guess is that wasn’t far), he gets a message from God. The Lord chooses to heal Hezekiah, plus a bonus: adds 15 years to his life. Isaiah returns to deliver the message and solution. I’m thinking Isaiah was happy to do this since Hezekiah was actually a man of faith and integrity. He received a favorable prophesy to tell the man who honors God–any preacher’s dream!

Hezekiah asks for a sign, something impossible for man, so Isaiah prays and the shadow on the steps (think big sun dial) reverses its direction for 10 steps (2 Kings 20:11). Interesting, yes?

Babylonian Visitors

Hezekiah is a man of God for sure, but perhaps not the brightest bulb in the factory, or perhaps the disease affected his mind enough that when a group from Babylon sends gifts and visits him, Hezekiah gives them the grand tour of the place, nothing is hidden. Isaiah hears about this and confronts Hezekiah:

“Hear the word of the Lord: The time will surely come when everything in your palace, and all that your predecessors have store up until this day, will be carried off to Babylon. Nothing will be left, says the Lord” 2 Kings 20:17

Bad news indeed, but the message doesn’t end there.

And some of your descendants, your own flesh and blood who will be born to you, will be taken away, and they will become eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon. 2 Kings 20:18

Worse news. Hezekiah once again humbly accepts the words from Isaiah. The prophecy is well before the Babylonian Empire is a force to be reckoned with.

Manasseh & Amon

Manasseh, Hezekiah’s son, succeeded him as king and reigns 55 years–completely undoing everything Hezekiah lived for. Back to the pattern of “he did evil in the eyes of the Lord…” Manasseh and Amon to follow rebuild the Asherah poles, the altars to Baal and other gods. Somehow they didn’t see how the Lord had provided for his people during Hezekiah’s years.

Amon didn’t last long, only 2 years. He was assassinated by some officials and Josiah was put in his place.

Josiah

Josiah did well and “followed completely the ways of his father David, not turning aside to the right or to the left” (2 Kings 22). When he discovers the book of the Law, he asks a prophet for insight. Huldah lets him know the Lord will “bring disaster on this place and its people” (22:16), but since Josiah’s “heart was responsive” (22:19), his “eyes will not see all the disaster” (22:20) that the Lord is going to bring. We are treated to a long list of idols, shrines, etc., that Josiah removed. These details provide a peak into how far God’s people had wandered from his word, his ways and his covenant.

Josiah reestablished the Passover celebration and removed all the idolatrous worship throughout his kingdom, even after he heard the words of the prophet, knowing disaster would eventually come, so that many may turn back to the Lord, to know his peace and rely on the one true God. This is a similar battle for us today. We see what is happening all around us, we know the truth in Christ, yet we must remain resolute, we must be diligent to help as many people as possible come to know Jesus Christ. Lord, may your words seem as fresh to us today as they did to Josiah, may we celebrate your covenant like no others before (23:22).

The rollercoaster continues as we near the end of the kings. The simple lesson is this: God is steady and consistent the whole time–we, however, are all over the map! Lord, help us to keep you in the center of all, to learn from Hezekiah and Josiah that which is good as well as Manasseh and Amon, that which is bad. You’ve shown us both sides of the coin, Lord, help us remember!

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Hezekiah’s Prayer and Jerusalem’s Deliverance

2 Kings 19

Chapter 19 continues the story with Hezekiah’s response to the verbal abuse and physical threats from the Assyrians. All wearing sackcloth, they know they are doomed without God’s help. Hezekiah sends a team to Isaiah, heads down, they are completely humbled and ask merely that he would “pray for the remnant that still survives” (2 Kings 19:4). Isaiah’s response is assuring:

This is what the Lord says: Do not be afraid of what you have heard — those words with which the underlings of the king of Assyria have blasphemed me. Listen! When he hears a certain report, I will make him want to return to his own country, and there I will have him cut down with the sword. 2 Kings 19:6-7

The king of Assyria continues his battle of words through messengers so Hezekiah does what we all need to learn from: he put the entire matter before the Lord and prayed. He asks the Lord for deliverance not for himself, not for personal glory, rather:

so that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that you alone, Lord, are God. 2 Kings 19:19

Even today as we fight our own personal battle, I believe the Lord hears those who pray such earnest prayers. Our needs may not be so desperate as Hezekiah–he was surrounded by an army that had no issue with slaughtering every single person they met–but God hears the prayers of those who love him above all others!

Through the prophet Isaiah, the words of the Lord are strong and clear:

Because you rage against me and because your insolence has reached my ears, I will put my hook in your nose and my bit in your mouth, and I will make you return by the way you came. 2 Kings 19:28, Isaiah 37:39

Then the Lord provides a sign, a profound prophesy that we should be excited about even today:

For out of Jerusalem will come a remnant, and out of Mount Zion a band of survivors. 2 Kings 19:31

The concept of the remnant is so encouraging to me as we hear and see churches dying, how Christ is removed from courthouses and schools. Slowly, it seems, those who choose to follow the Lord are being reduced to a mere remnant. But God loves his own and if we truly believe God is the Creator of all things who loves his people, we should rest assured he will prevail.

For Hezekiah, deliverance is swift: that very night “the angel of the Lord” killed 185,000 Assyrians. Sennacherib woke up surrounded by death. He decided to leave and return to Nineveh. Later, his own sons killed him while he worshiped one of his gods. Sennacherib is dead as Isaiah foretold. End of chapter 19 and the Assyrian attempts to oust the remnant of the Lord.

 

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Love is from God — Let Us Learn to Love One Another

Walking Children

Since we celebrate Valentine’s Day today, I took some time to look through photos curated as “love” from my favorite photo source at unsplash.com. The photo above shows children walking together with their parents leading in the distance. The powerful legacy that I hope Zoë and I can leave our children: follow the narrow path dear children! I could write a post completely on that imagery, but I’ll leave that to your imagination! There are loads of photos of young couples getting married, of small baby feet, new families just getting started, but for me, perhaps because of my age, I think about a time when things have settled down, when I’m on the front porch swing with my wife, old and content. One of the photos includes an elderly couple, head to head, smiling authentically. Such joy is in their eyes. One day, many years from now, I look forward to being that elderly man loving his elderly wife. How about you?

John’s epistles, part of the pastoral letters toward the end of the Bible, First, Second and Third John, are a quick read, but full of the assurance that Father, Son and Holy Spirit are love and as such, we should love one another. Meeting on Sunday is great, but more than that, we should really enjoy being together. Stocked with wisdom in few words, I love the way he ends the second and third letters: “I hope to come to you and talk face to face so that our joy may be complete” (2 John 12) and “I hope to see you soon, and we will be face to face” (3 John 14). We are called to be a people of love and action, not just words and letters and emails and texts — we should find joy in being together!

John reminds us over and over in these few pages:

Little children, let us not love in word or speech, but in action and in truth. 1 John 3:18

1 John is a short letter written to those who might be a bit confused about what love truly is so John makes it clear:

God is love, and the one who remains in love remains in God, and God remains in him. In this, love is made complete with us so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment, because as he is, so also are we in this world. 1 John 4:16-17

John lets us know without doubt,

I have written these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. 1 John 5:13

There are some warnings about those who are against God, who do not profess Christ as the risen savior, but most of this text speaks to me about the fellowship we enjoy as part of this thing we call church. In this day and age, especially in this country, the masses may confuse church with a physical location, but as Pastor Mark Gasque pointed out several years ago when he was planting Hope Fellowship, a growing congregation,

“The church, in my understanding of scripture, has very little to do with the building and more to do with people” Pastor Mark Gasque, Hope Fellowship Church, April 7, 2007

The notion of biblical love, of being part of a community that is united in Christ is something to get excited about!

My prayer is today we stop and take a moment to ponder the depth and width of God’s love for us. I hope we can take hold of that love and pour into others as He poured into us.

Forget what this world teaches about love, look to the Bible and learn to love as Jesus loved. Be willing to take risks, to give it all and enjoy the sensational love that God lavishes on us through Jesus Christ!

 

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