Reading from Thursday, July 29

Still five days behind, son. Let's keep on truckin.

Reading for July 29
2 Chronicles 24:1-25:28

This reading focuses on two of the kings of Judah - Joash and Amaziah.


Joash became king of Judah when he was seven - crazy right? - and he ruled in a way that was pleasing to God. Now there was a chief priest in Judah named Jehoiada whose counsel Joash sought frequently. During Joash's reign, he commissioned the rebuilding of the temple, which had been damaged in battles and was a couple hundred years old at this point. The rebuilding of the temple put Joash in a pretty good spot on God's list.

However, shortly after Jehoida the priest died, Joash turned away from God and led the people of Judah down a bad path. Now there is a key point here that shows God's grace - even in a situation such as this where one of his once obedient children has turned away so sharply. Here is what I'm talking about:

¹⁸ They abandoned the temple of the LORD, the God of their fathers, and worshiped Asherah poles and idols. Because of their guilt, God's anger came upon Judah and Jerusalem. ¹⁹ Although the LORD sent prophets to the people to bring them back to him, and though they testified against them, they would not listen.

So here, even in the Old Testament, we see an act where God doesn't actually appear to want his people to fail. I'm being facetious of course, but when you hear things like God sending lying spirits to people and tricking people into sin, it's nice to see him actually try to help these poor people. Of course the people blow it and they just make God angrier (more evidence of God not being all knowing), but at least there is some discernible love and mercy here.

Amaziah wasn't much better. He was a king who won many battles for Judah, but after returning from one particular battle, he brought the gods of the conquered nation back to his own people. Obviously displeasing to God, and things ended badly for him with a battle between Judah and Israel where Amaziah lost all of his wealth and pride.

Romans 12:1-21
Great stuff in here. Verse 2 is one that I am fairly familiar with in my previous dealings with the Bible, but here it is:

²Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

I often have an issue trying to figure out God's will for me, as I'm sure many other people do. Well, here are the instructions to help you figure it out. "Be transformed by the renewing of your mind." It sounds like new-age mumbo jumbo but if you let that sink in for a little bit I think you will at least know what state of mind you need to be in to receive the will of God. 

Then we have this set of verses that, I think, encapsulates everything I believe and want to believe about Chrisitianity:

9 Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. 10 Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. 11 Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. 12 Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. 13 When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.

14 Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. 15 Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people.

Genuinely love people.Work hard. Be patient in times of trouble. Pray. Help people in need. Pray for blessings for your enemies. Be happy for other's success. Mourn for other's losses. Check your pride.

This is what I've been waiting for. This is a statement that I can proudly display to the rest of the world when I confess to be a Christian. I understand that I must accept the other unpopular things that go along with it, but allow me a moment to just revel in the goodness of these verses - where my and God's morals finally line up.

Psalm 22:19-31

30 Posterity will serve him;
future generations will be told about the Lord.

31 They will proclaim his righteousness
to a people yet unborn—
for he has done it.

I think David is still talking about Jesus here but its a little more cryptic. These last two verses are nice though.

Proverbs 20:8-10

8 When a king sits on his throne to judge,
he winnows out all evil with his eyes.

9 Who can say, "I have kept my heart pure;
I am clean and without sin"?

10 Differing weights and differing measures—
the LORD detests them both.

Alright, kids. Goodnight.