Manasseh: A Warning

Saturday, 16 May: 2 Ki. 21:1-18; Pro. 12:15-16; Jn. 15:9-17
A noteworthy postscript to the life of Hezekiah is his son, Manasseh. Because he was only twelve years old when he began to reign, it is possible that this young prince was born during the fifteen years that were God's miraculous gift to Hezekiah. Was he the only heir--were there no other children born to Hezekiah before his illness? If there were older siblings, why was Manasseh particularly chosen? We're told that he was the most wicked king of Judah: that his abominations even exceeded those of the ancient inhabitants of the land. What happened to the good example that his father's life should have been to him? Was he just a willful boy, or did his aging father not have the vitality to engage fully in the process of raising him? Did Hezekiah count on his Godliness 'rubbing off on' his son?
I find here a cautionary tale. As I am now one of the 'older women' charged with the training of the younger, there is the temptation to 'rest on my laurels' a bit. My Pastor calls it coasting... the tendency to disengage, even in small ways, from the source of real power and go along in one's own momentum. As Jesus encouraged us to abide in Him, He knew--and lived out the example--that His Father was His strength. He had to abide in His Father (His 'true Vine') in order to walk unfailingly in His will.
Our children--and others over whom we have influence--often go boldly where we have tread only lightly. They have responsibility to God for their choices, but let it never be said that a heedless or over-confident guide led the way along a path to destruction.

Abiding in Him

Friday, 15 May: 2 Ki. 20:1-21; Pro. 12:14; Jn. 15:1-8
According to John, the key to bearing spiritual fruit is to abide in Christ. It is essential to remember that our fruitfulness comes solely from the nourishment of the True Vine.
It seems that Hezekiah may have missed out on this principle when he boasted to the Babylonians about his prosperity. Here was a man who had received a miraculous blessing from the Lord--recovery from fatal illness, and the promise of fifteen years added to his life!
It might be said that he had "I" trouble in his old age. In contrast to his wicked father, he had tried to live righteously in his youth. Did he feel that because of his efforts, he deserved the blessing of God? Lord, preserve us from the presumptuous spirit that can overtake us when we forget that our apparent strength is merely the evidence of God's grace overcoming our weaknesses.

Seeking God's Glory

Wednesday, 13 May: 2 Ki. 19:1-19; Pro. 12:11; Jn. 14:15-21
King Hezekiah gave us a great lesson on responding to overwhelming circumstances. When Sennacherib's general delivered his threatening letter, Hezekiah went straight to the Temple and spread it out before the Lord. You can almost hear him saying, "See what these heathen are saying about You, Lord?"
Because He focused on their blasphemy--and not on his own consternation--we see in him the example of 'seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.' His trust in God was so complete, that he didn't even address is own perplexities.
Psa. 119:157-8 teaches us how to respond: "Many are my persecutors and mine enemies; yet do I not decline from Thy testimonies. I beheld the transgressors, and was grieved; because they kept not Thy word."
I love the way he 'spread it out before the Lord.' It is very encouraging to physically lay out the things for which the Lord's help is needed... whether letters, bills, grocery money, or whatever. Speaking to Him about tangible things helps me to remember that He is real, and sufficient for every need.

"...but served their own gods."

Sunday, 10 May: 2 Ki.17:24-41; Pro.12:8; Jn.13:31-38
The question today--"What is the distinctive characteristic of Christianity according to Jn 13:35"--is a good one that I will leave for another day. I was struck by a phrase in Kings and want to discuss it with you.
"They feared the Lord, and served their own gods..." (17:33) These people knew enough to fear and revere the God of heaven, but wanted to keep the gods with whom they were familiar and comfortable. What a sad state of affairs we find ourselves in when we try to 'mix and match' spiritual things. One might argue, "But I don't worship other gods!" C'est vrai? Are all 'other gods' made of wood or stone? Is 'worship' always the bowing of the knee?

What comes between me and my Savior? What comfort do I seek outside His Spirit and His grace? What diversions consume my personal time? Do emotions--fear, anger, bitterness--occupy my subconscious thoughts? Could it not be said that anything to which I am more devoted than I am to Him, is a god in my life? If I give higher authority to anyone or anything else, is that not a kind of worship?
The first of the Ten Commandments is "Thou shalt have no other gods before Me." How often, when I allow entertainment or preoccupations to displace the Lord, does His Spirit's still small voice reprove me! Let us cry out with the Psalmist, "Let I pray Thee, Thy merciful kindness be for my comfort, according to Thy word unto Thy servant." (119:76)

Secrets?

Saturday, 9 May: 2 Kings 17:1-23; Proverbs 12:5-7; John 13:28-30
The Northern Kingdom of Israel was captured by Assyria because they had persisted in idolatry and wickedness. Despite the Lord's pleadings and warnings through His prophets, 19 wicked kings had spent some 250 years leading their people in the ways of Jeroboam, the son of Nebat. 2 Ki. 17:9 says they "did secretly those things that were not right against the Lord their God..." How often do we try to fool ourselves into thinking something we do or think is a 'secret'? Ezekiel 8:12 speaks of the things done "in the chambers of [our] imagery... for [we] say, The Lord seeth us not..."

How do we behave when no one's watching? Where do our thots go when our mind is idle? Godly character is evident when one walks perfectly in their own house (Ps.101:2-3), and keeps a close watch on the secret chambers of the mind. Even David, who so loved the Lord and His laws, still cries out in Ps.119:176, "I have gone astray..." Let us pray with him in 119:167, Let my soul love & keep Thy testimonies, O Lord!

Reputation

Thursday, 7 May: 2Kings 15:23-38; Proverbs 12:2-3: John 13:12-17
All of the kings of Israel's northern kingdom followed in the sins of Jeroboam, the son of Nebat. What a lesson we can learn from the oft-repeated phrase that almost invariably follows this man's name..."who made Israel to sin." The name and accusation are inexorably linked for eternity. Sin doesn't only "find you out", it follows you for a very long time. A reputation, once damaged, can be very difficult to repair.
In my own life, I must continually beware of even the 'small' sins that will diminish my effectiveness for my Lord--idle or careless words, unreliable behavior, disrespectful speech or actions. Any of these can become some of the sneaky little foxes that 'destroy the vines' of my testimony.
When I think of past failures, I find myself praying with David in Psalm 119:22, "Remove from me reproach and contempt; for I have kept thy testimonies." I can be encouraged when I look closely at the genealogy of Christ. Rahab (no longer) the harlot, Ruth (no longer) the Moabitess... Their reproach was removed, and by God's amazing grace, they were included in the most highly honored list of all time!

A Royal Heritage

Today's Scripture: 2 Ki. 11:1-24; Pro. 11:23; Jn. 12:20-28

Faithful Jehosheba protected baby prince Joash, and became God's instrument for preserving His covenant with David. Now an orphan, with no family left, God adopted Joash for Himself.

So it is with all of us who are fatherless. Even though our place in God's plan may not be as regal, are we any less children of the King? Though our personal family and heritage may be unknown to us, are we alone and abandoned--without purpose?

Jesus entered Jerusalem as a King, knowing that the worshipping crowd would soon turn and call for His death. His Father's back would be turned because of the sin He would bear for us, and for them. In all this, He thought only of God's glory. "Father, glorify thy name" was His prayer before all the people.

Will I completely trust God's providence in my life, and fully commit myself to His glory? Will I release the pain of abandonment, and fully rely on His protection? Lord, let me give You my whole-hearted obedience, trusting in the heritage You have chosen, and my earnest expectation of one day resting in Your arms. Let my life--all my words and deeds and thoughts--glorify You!