Jesus taught that all scripture testifies about him so that in him we might have life (John 5v39-40). King David taught that it is only by living according to God's word that we're kept on the right path (Psalm 119v9). What then could be better than reading the entire Bible? Click the menu to read about the program, choose a month or Bible book - or just work through the blog posts day by day.
BEGIN WITH PRAYER
"Lord open my eyes and my heart."
Read
slowly so that you take in. And as you do, turn your heart to God,
thanking him for the good you discover and praying his will home for
you, your family, your church and the world.
Wisdom to chew on
Proverbs 29:18
Proverbs 29:18
Understanding to grow in
Believers are not guaranteed freedom from hardship. “After all that Hezekiah had so faithfully done” Assyria still invaded. And at such times it is our response that makes the difference. Militarily, Hezekiah acted wisely. But most significantly, he pointed his people to the LORD. The issue was one of confidence in God. It is questioned by Sennacherib who assumes Hezekiah’s reforms will have offended God by removing the means of false worship, and who claims that "no god" has been able to resist the Assyrians. But the author is almost blasé about the ease of God’s response. Hezekiah and Isaiah “cry out in prayer to heaven," and he sends an angel who annihilates the entire enemy force, and causes Sennacherib to be assassinated in “the temple of his own god” – displaying which God really rules. The response of the people was to bring offerings by way of thanks. The response of the nations was to honour God’s king. It's a hugely significant deliverance in the history of Israel. And there's much for us. Like Sennacherib, Satan uses others to ridicule faith, suggest sin, death and false worldviews are undefeatable, and so knock our confidence in God, bringing doubt. But our confidence can remain for God’s Christ has promised God is with us, and those who oppose him will be overcome and destroyed, and their gods shown to be nothing (Matt 25v41). But, again, this doesn’t mean we will be free from hardship or struggle with sin. Hezekiah almost died from illness, and after beingh healed displayed pride in showing off his wealth to the Babylonian envoys (2 Kgs 20, 2 Chr 32v31). Mannessah contrasts his father. He does “more evil” even than the nations. In grace God gave warning before having Assyria attack and take Manesseh into exile hooked like an animal and shackled like a slave. Astonishingly, Manesseh then repented. And in answer to Solomon’s prayer when the temple was dedicated (2 Chr 6v36-39, see also Deut 30v1-10), God brought him back, and he then acted like a righteous king. It's an astonishing example of God’s limitless grace to any who are willing to repent. As you read note what is commendible about Hezekiah.Finish this reading by pausing to ask yourself:
1) What’s the main thing it teaches me about God or his purposes in Christ? Then praise him for this.
2) What’s the main thing it teaches me about his will for me or the world? Then pray that home.
Devotion to offer up
You could read this aloud and perhaps as a springboard to further prayer.