I've been spending a lot of time in the books of 2 Kings and 2 Chronicles. These books tell the tale of Israel's kingdom, it's split into two separate entities and the eventually fall of both. In the northern kingdom, Israel, it was pretty much all dark. In the southern kingdom of Judah, there were a few bright spots of light, but they too eventually fell into the pit of complete estrangement from the God of their ancestors. Both kingdoms chased after false gods, idols from the neighboring peoples. The did not seek the One true God. They abandoned their covenant with Him to bow down before foreign gods. What are the foreign "gods" you bow down to today?
But one thing remained steadfast. One thing remained faithful. It was God Himself. All through the years, He continually reached out in love to draw His people back. Elijah, Elisha, a myriad of prophets spoke the words of God to these stiff-necked people. In all the darkness that plagued the hearts and land of both kingdoms, God's Presence remained and His hand was outstretched. Sometimes that hand gave warning, sometimes discipline sometimes relief...but always God's compassion and faithfulness were in full view for them, and for us.
Where are you in life? In the darkness of life's trials? In the pit of your own sinfulness? God is still there. He has not left nor abandoned you. Sometimes His voice is hard to hear. It's still and small and we must listen carefully, quieting our minds and hearts of the storms around us. Sometimes we must humble ourselves and stop fighting the leading of our Father. So often in life we let the tilts and turns and noise of our world blur the path to the Lord. We get weighed down and cease seeking Him. Jeremiah 29:13 If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.
Just like Israel we get caught up in our own ways. We break covenant with our God. But don't be like Israel and continue down that path of destruction, the path to captivity. Instead turn back to the Lord, seek Him, listen for His voice and look for His tendrils of love and compassion reaching into your life. They are there. He is faithful.
This study in these books has been so enlightening to me. I feel like I've spent a lot of time on the surface of these books, and it's so amazing to go deeper and to see God's character come to life on the pages. To truly see that His compassions are not just for those who live life "perfectly," Not just for the "super saints." But for the wretches, the mistake makers and the stubborn sinful people just like me. What a comfort! What a picture of God's love. Lamentations 3:22-23 Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. 23 They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.
Lord, these passages, these books of the Bible give me such hope, such comfort. As dark as they are Your light shines through. If You can, not just can, but would reach out to these evil kings, then You can and will reach out to me. Let each of us turn toward You, even when and especially when we fail. Lamentations 3:32 Though He causes grief, yet He will show compassion according to the multitude of His mercies. Let us accept Your discipline when it comes, seek Your mercy when we fail, and believe that even in the darkness You are with us. Thank You for the Word You give us. And the compassion and faithfulness that is Who You are. It's in the Name of our risen Savior...the ultimate act of mercy came through Him...that we pray. Amen.
Read Lamentations 3, 2 Kings and 2 Chronicles. Look especially for the ways God showed compassion to those who followed Him and to those who didn't.
Vacation next week! We are driving back to see family. See ya in a couple of weeks.
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