One of my favorite verses “But if you are content to be simply yourself, you will become more of yourself.” This is something I have struggled with especially the last few years but through God’s Grace it’s something I am overcoming!
I liked this verse 9”For if you return to the Lord, your brothers and your children will find compassion with their captors and return to this land. For the Lord your God is gracious and merciful and will not turn away his face from you, if you return to him.”
The Lord heard and healed
They hadn’t seen joy like this since Solomon
Hezekiah sought God with all his heart and he prospered.
The widow did not loose heart.
I think both of these readings were about praising God and the fruit that comes from obeying him.
For some of the priests, their entire responsibility was to stand at the gate and sing praise and thanksgiving to God. Would we also recognize this as our divine privilege, as recipients of a full gospel of grace we have much more even to be singing of in gratefulness and awe of our Lord.
This is the first time I have posted. I am amazed that The Parable of the Persistent Widow was part of today’s reading. Somebody mentioned it to me just last night as well. I have been feeling a lack of justice recently. I was involved in a car accident a couple of years ago, and the other person did not tell the truth about what happened because there were no other witnesses. At the court hearing last week I was deemed liable as a result of the untrue story and it has been eating me up. I was so upset & angry that this person was claiming insurance money dishonestly. I could see myself in the Widow, and now understand that I must continue to pray regarding this. I wish to forgive the other person but it’s so hard when your anger is still so raw. I know I can let go of this issue and leave it to God now.
I’m so sorry you are going through what you’re going through, I know that sick feeling intimately. When my husband left me and our infant son for another woman I was so angry that he was getting away free and happy as a clam in his sin while I was enduring hardship and raising our child on my own. I craved justice for those who had wronged me (some great Psalms on that) but after 5 years have come to a place where I can see the bigger God picture of His justice and His grace for all and how I need to extend that same grace and leave the judgement up to God. Praying for you Natalie!
Hezekiah did good throughout Judah. He sought God in every work, with all his heart and he prospered. This is important. I must have a spirit of excellence in everything that I do. In probation. Phillippa Reymonde. But I must also seek Him first. Then I will proposer.
Luke 18 (vs 1) my relationship with God is important. I have to always be in communion. With him and not lose heart. He will hear me. But I need to have a child likeness when it comes to receiving the kingdom. Not proud but humble and responsive to Jesus. Seeking Him out humbly.
The blind man received his sight well. He has faith that Jesus could heal him. In all things Jesus can make it possible. I need to seek Him.
*MORALE* I can’t get complacent. Everything I am doing I am doing for the Lord so I must do it with a Spirit of excellence.
I am here in October 2017 reading August. I started about a month late and have fallen behind too but I’m going to keep pressing on until I finish the plan!
21 And every work that he undertook in the service of the house of God and in accordance with the law and the commandments, seeking his God, he did with all his heart, and prospered. I’m on a mission trip right now, and this encourages me that God will use this time for His glory if we seek to serve Him.
Yes, “with all his heart!.” — isn’t that the opposite of what we’re seeing on all these pages? God desires our WHOLE hearts in what we do– the pitfall of so many kings before was that they didn’t serve God with all their hearts but instead just did it halfway, starting strong but finishing weak on their own terms — and they all failed in the end. Lord, let us seek to honor you with everything we have, with all our hearts!
I believe that I am humble, but I struggle with letting go. It would be hard for me to just leave everything I have. I know that God is faithful and provides-I am working on trusting Him more!
I agree as I am struggling with the same issue. Continue to trust in Him and I encourage you and will pray for you and those who are going through the same thing as I am. Bless you.
i agree, i am young so i dont have much to necessarily “give up” but its still hard for me to understand that God has a plan ready for me every step of the way.
How cool that Hezekiah sent letters to all Judah AND Israel… Israel had just tried to conquer Judah and take them as slaves when Ahaz was King! Too bad the verses says that Israel laughed, scorned and mocked them. :/ But Hezekiah continued to do what was right and honored God. What a huge celebration that must have been!
So so so thankful for this awesome book of 2 Chronicles that I’m loving more than I thought. Thankful that the word of the Lord stands forever and still pierces to the heart- loving this truth: “for the Lord your God is gracious and merciful and will not turn away his face from you, if you return to him.” ALWAYS true. 2 chronicles 30:9b
I love how the parable in Luke about the judge who was unjust gave the woman what she asked for through continual asking. It reminds us how much more the Lord will seek to give us the desires of our heart through going to Him in prayer continually and believing what we pray for can happen. So often I find myself growing weary in prayer and praying for what I think is possible in my humanistic way of thinking. Sometimes I don’t want to continually pray for something I’m not seeing the answer to because I feel like I’m bugging God. This passage reminded me to keep going to Him in a believing heart!
1 They should always pray and not give up
27 What is impossible for man is possible with God
This is a great reminder that no matter how big our obstacles are or how far away our blessing seems, God is capable of ANYTHING! And we should cling to that hope and continue to pray regardless of how hopeless our situation may seems. I definitely needed that today!
Yes! I loved that connection too..and even the connection with how Hezekiah prayed for the people and the Lord heard him and healed them. There’s modern day lessons in all of this…
None of us are Good except God – powerful reminder we aren’t meant to be perfect! We are loved and are encouraged to love Jesus as he’s loved us unconditionally!
27 But he said, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.”
Another reminder that none of us is good but we are saved only through Christ’s death and resurrection
2 Chronicles 30
18 Although most of the many people who came from Ephraim, Manasseh, Issachar and Zebulun had not purified themselves, yet they ate the Passover, contrary to what was written. But Hezekiah prayed for them, saying, “May the Lord, who is good, pardon everyone 19 who sets their heart on seeking God—the Lord, the God of their ancestors—even if they are not clean according to the rules of the sanctuary.” 20 And the Lord heard Hezekiah and healed the people.
Hezekiah was wise to see the good in these people regardless of the traditions. He recognized that the most important requirements of coming back to God were being met and that the purity of each person would be attained as they accepted and brought God back to themselves and their homes.
Dear Father, please give us the wisdom of Hezekiah when we greet new people to our churches and worship groups. Please let us see them with his kindness and intelligence and not our judgement or pride. Humble us to be true followers of Jesus’ example.
Great thoughts! I am spending the holiday weekend with my brothers who can be very difficult to show Jesus’s love to. This was a blessing as it reminded me to humble myself and act as Jesus would, and not how my sinful nature is tempted to when they push my buttons.
Yana I loved this too and I love your perspective! Totally different than what I thought while reading this passage but wonderfully insightful. When I read this I felt so impressed by how Hezekiah prayed in a way so pure of heart. It reminds me of the NT and how he exemplified Jesus’ teaching (far in the future of his time!) of following the law but not using the law against others as the Pharisees did. He prayed for those “who sets their heart on seeking God—the Lord, the God of their ancestors—even if they are not clean according to the rules of the sanctuary.” And God answered his prayer. So awesome to me.
I was thinking that too about the way that Hezekiah exemplified the idea of looking at the heart and not the law. I was wondering how it is that God accepted that, since He seemed to be so serious about the people following the law in that day? I thought of that guy, (Uzzah, maybe?) who reached up to steady the ark of the covenant and was struck dead. I’m thankful for Gods mercy in Hezekiah’s case (and definitely toward me!), but it’s a wonder to me that He didn’t hold tight to the law in that day.
That’s so true. I forgot about the guy steadying the ark. Reading through the OT with this plan has been so good for me but there is so much I do not understand. You make a great point and it’s quite perplexing how God showed mercy on behalf of Hezekiah’s prayer but not for a man who steadies the ark. Maybe it was a heart issue. I am only postulating here. But like you said, I am thankful for this glimpse of God’s character that we see so much in the NT rather than the OT. He is the same God, unchanging. Passages like this help my feeble human mind to see that connection :)
I know you may never see this response but the man who steadied the ark (I think you are right- Uzzah) was actually being very disobedient to God and not just because he touched the ark. He was trained in how God wanted the ark respected, cared for and transported and they worked against it. You may remember back when they were building the tent and ark itself that it had a place for poles to be placed on/through it so that it could be carried by men- the Levites. This was a strong, safe way. Uzzah and the man with him, thought they knew a better way and choose to put it on oxen instead. The oxen stumbled and risked the ark falling- not any of what God would want. While I don’t know all of Gods reasoning- or Uzzahs heart- ultimately he was disobedient on many levels and more concerned about his ideas and doing things his way.
I was thinking the same thing. Maybe it all came down to the heart, even in the OT. Don’t we see David acting despicably by killing Uriah and stealing his wife?? But still God calls him a man after God’s own heart. How merciful He is!! Thanks for dialoguing with me about this, Christina :)
❤️
27But he said, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.”
7And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them?
3And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’
20And the Lord heard Hezekiah and healed the people.
❤️
✝️
✅
27But he said, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.”
27But he said, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.” -ellie
One of my favorite verses “But if you are content to be simply yourself, you will become more of yourself.” This is something I have struggled with especially the last few years but through God’s Grace it’s something I am overcoming!
I liked this verse 9”For if you return to the Lord, your brothers and your children will find compassion with their captors and return to this land. For the Lord your God is gracious and merciful and will not turn away his face from you, if you return to him.”
The Lord heard and healed
They hadn’t seen joy like this since Solomon
Hezekiah sought God with all his heart and he prospered.
The widow did not loose heart.
I think both of these readings were about praising God and the fruit that comes from obeying him.
For some of the priests, their entire responsibility was to stand at the gate and sing praise and thanksgiving to God. Would we also recognize this as our divine privilege, as recipients of a full gospel of grace we have much more even to be singing of in gratefulness and awe of our Lord.
27But he said, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.”
This is the first time I have posted. I am amazed that The Parable of the Persistent Widow was part of today’s reading. Somebody mentioned it to me just last night as well. I have been feeling a lack of justice recently. I was involved in a car accident a couple of years ago, and the other person did not tell the truth about what happened because there were no other witnesses. At the court hearing last week I was deemed liable as a result of the untrue story and it has been eating me up. I was so upset & angry that this person was claiming insurance money dishonestly. I could see myself in the Widow, and now understand that I must continue to pray regarding this. I wish to forgive the other person but it’s so hard when your anger is still so raw. I know I can let go of this issue and leave it to God now.
I’m so sorry you are going through what you’re going through, I know that sick feeling intimately. When my husband left me and our infant son for another woman I was so angry that he was getting away free and happy as a clam in his sin while I was enduring hardship and raising our child on my own. I craved justice for those who had wronged me (some great Psalms on that) but after 5 years have come to a place where I can see the bigger God picture of His justice and His grace for all and how I need to extend that same grace and leave the judgement up to God. Praying for you Natalie!
Hezekiah did good throughout Judah. He sought God in every work, with all his heart and he prospered. This is important. I must have a spirit of excellence in everything that I do. In probation. Phillippa Reymonde. But I must also seek Him first. Then I will proposer.
Luke 18 (vs 1) my relationship with God is important. I have to always be in communion. With him and not lose heart. He will hear me. But I need to have a child likeness when it comes to receiving the kingdom. Not proud but humble and responsive to Jesus. Seeking Him out humbly.
The blind man received his sight well. He has faith that Jesus could heal him. In all things Jesus can make it possible. I need to seek Him.
*MORALE* I can’t get complacent. Everything I am doing I am doing for the Lord so I must do it with a Spirit of excellence.
I am here in October 2017 reading August. I started about a month late and have fallen behind too but I’m going to keep pressing on until I finish the plan!
I Am :)
I started in January. I work ahead sometimes but always come back and read everyone’s comments. I learn a lot from comments too!!
I am! :)
I am!
Me too! Today’s my first day. Super blessed!
Welcome to the group Kelly! I’ve just started up recently as well. I can’t wait to learn more truth along side you :)
I am!
I love the comments each day after reading. Is anyone doing this plan in 2017 aside from myself?
I am :)
I am!
21 And every work that he undertook in the service of the house of God and in accordance with the law and the commandments, seeking his God, he did with all his heart, and prospered. I’m on a mission trip right now, and this encourages me that God will use this time for His glory if we seek to serve Him.
Yes, “with all his heart!.” — isn’t that the opposite of what we’re seeing on all these pages? God desires our WHOLE hearts in what we do– the pitfall of so many kings before was that they didn’t serve God with all their hearts but instead just did it halfway, starting strong but finishing weak on their own terms — and they all failed in the end. Lord, let us seek to honor you with everything we have, with all our hearts!
I believe that I am humble, but I struggle with letting go. It would be hard for me to just leave everything I have. I know that God is faithful and provides-I am working on trusting Him more!
I agree as I am struggling with the same issue. Continue to trust in Him and I encourage you and will pray for you and those who are going through the same thing as I am. Bless you.
i agree, i am young so i dont have much to necessarily “give up” but its still hard for me to understand that God has a plan ready for me every step of the way.
what a good read
How cool that Hezekiah sent letters to all Judah AND Israel… Israel had just tried to conquer Judah and take them as slaves when Ahaz was King! Too bad the verses says that Israel laughed, scorned and mocked them. :/ But Hezekiah continued to do what was right and honored God. What a huge celebration that must have been!
So so so thankful for this awesome book of 2 Chronicles that I’m loving more than I thought. Thankful that the word of the Lord stands forever and still pierces to the heart- loving this truth: “for the Lord your God is gracious and merciful and will not turn away his face from you, if you return to him.” ALWAYS true. 2 chronicles 30:9b
Thanks for pointing out that truth, Nikki. Somehow I totally missed that!
I love how the parable in Luke about the judge who was unjust gave the woman what she asked for through continual asking. It reminds us how much more the Lord will seek to give us the desires of our heart through going to Him in prayer continually and believing what we pray for can happen. So often I find myself growing weary in prayer and praying for what I think is possible in my humanistic way of thinking. Sometimes I don’t want to continually pray for something I’m not seeing the answer to because I feel like I’m bugging God. This passage reminded me to keep going to Him in a believing heart!
Becca your comment is an encouragement and great reminder to me also to not grow weary in prayer. Thank you!
I needed this today, thank you!!
Thank you Becca. I also feel like I’m bugging Him when I don’t see the answers. But I will continue to pray
Yes! God wants us to keep coming to Him, even if it may feel like we’re bugging Him.
AMEN!!
1 They should always pray and not give up
27 What is impossible for man is possible with God
This is a great reminder that no matter how big our obstacles are or how far away our blessing seems, God is capable of ANYTHING! And we should cling to that hope and continue to pray regardless of how hopeless our situation may seems. I definitely needed that today!
Yes! I loved that connection too..and even the connection with how Hezekiah prayed for the people and the Lord heard him and healed them. There’s modern day lessons in all of this…
None of us are Good except God – powerful reminder we aren’t meant to be perfect! We are loved and are encouraged to love Jesus as he’s loved us unconditionally!
27 But he said, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.”
Another reminder that none of us is good but we are saved only through Christ’s death and resurrection
2 Chronicles 30
18 Although most of the many people who came from Ephraim, Manasseh, Issachar and Zebulun had not purified themselves, yet they ate the Passover, contrary to what was written. But Hezekiah prayed for them, saying, “May the Lord, who is good, pardon everyone 19 who sets their heart on seeking God—the Lord, the God of their ancestors—even if they are not clean according to the rules of the sanctuary.” 20 And the Lord heard Hezekiah and healed the people.
Hezekiah was wise to see the good in these people regardless of the traditions. He recognized that the most important requirements of coming back to God were being met and that the purity of each person would be attained as they accepted and brought God back to themselves and their homes.
Dear Father, please give us the wisdom of Hezekiah when we greet new people to our churches and worship groups. Please let us see them with his kindness and intelligence and not our judgement or pride. Humble us to be true followers of Jesus’ example.
Amen sister!
That is a awesome point. I hadn’t seen it that way! Amen!
Great thoughts! I am spending the holiday weekend with my brothers who can be very difficult to show Jesus’s love to. This was a blessing as it reminded me to humble myself and act as Jesus would, and not how my sinful nature is tempted to when they push my buttons.
Yana I loved this too and I love your perspective! Totally different than what I thought while reading this passage but wonderfully insightful. When I read this I felt so impressed by how Hezekiah prayed in a way so pure of heart. It reminds me of the NT and how he exemplified Jesus’ teaching (far in the future of his time!) of following the law but not using the law against others as the Pharisees did. He prayed for those “who sets their heart on seeking God—the Lord, the God of their ancestors—even if they are not clean according to the rules of the sanctuary.” And God answered his prayer. So awesome to me.
I was thinking that too about the way that Hezekiah exemplified the idea of looking at the heart and not the law. I was wondering how it is that God accepted that, since He seemed to be so serious about the people following the law in that day? I thought of that guy, (Uzzah, maybe?) who reached up to steady the ark of the covenant and was struck dead. I’m thankful for Gods mercy in Hezekiah’s case (and definitely toward me!), but it’s a wonder to me that He didn’t hold tight to the law in that day.
That’s so true. I forgot about the guy steadying the ark. Reading through the OT with this plan has been so good for me but there is so much I do not understand. You make a great point and it’s quite perplexing how God showed mercy on behalf of Hezekiah’s prayer but not for a man who steadies the ark. Maybe it was a heart issue. I am only postulating here. But like you said, I am thankful for this glimpse of God’s character that we see so much in the NT rather than the OT. He is the same God, unchanging. Passages like this help my feeble human mind to see that connection :)
I know you may never see this response but the man who steadied the ark (I think you are right- Uzzah) was actually being very disobedient to God and not just because he touched the ark. He was trained in how God wanted the ark respected, cared for and transported and they worked against it. You may remember back when they were building the tent and ark itself that it had a place for poles to be placed on/through it so that it could be carried by men- the Levites. This was a strong, safe way. Uzzah and the man with him, thought they knew a better way and choose to put it on oxen instead. The oxen stumbled and risked the ark falling- not any of what God would want. While I don’t know all of Gods reasoning- or Uzzahs heart- ultimately he was disobedient on many levels and more concerned about his ideas and doing things his way.
I was thinking the same thing. Maybe it all came down to the heart, even in the OT. Don’t we see David acting despicably by killing Uriah and stealing his wife?? But still God calls him a man after God’s own heart. How merciful He is!! Thanks for dialoguing with me about this, Christina :)