by George | Aug 3, 2021 | Community News, Devotional, Newsletter
As Long As He Sought the LORD…
“Uzziah was sixteen years old when he became king, and he reigned fifty-two years in Jerusalem; and his mother’s name was Jechiliah of Jerusalem. He did right in the sight of the Lord according to all that his father Amaziah had done. He continued to seek God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding through the vision of God; and as long as he sought the Lord, God prospered him.”
2 Chronicles 26:3-5
I don’t know about you, but when I read about the kings listed in 2 Chronicles and 2 Kings, my head starts to swim. There are so many! Some reigned a short time, others a long time.
When I read the name, and how long they reigned, l brace myself for the next sentence. I’m relieved when it says “He did right in the side of the LORD.”
But, many times it says the opposite. For example:
“Solomon did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, and did not follow the Lord fully, as David his father had done.”
1 Kings 11:6
King Uzziah got off to a good start. Part of the credit goes to Zechariah the prophet, who seemed to be a mentor to him.
“He continued to seek God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding through the vision of God; and as long as he sought the Lord, God prospered him.”
2 Chronicles 26:5
It’s important to listen to the right voices, folks who have understanding and wisdom.
The last part of today’s verses should serve as a guidepost, and a warning to us.
“… as long as he sought the Lord, God prospered him.”
Prosperity doesn’t always mean riches. I believe it’s also the end result when we live life right, walking closely to God.
Uzziah accomplished a lot during his reign.
Unfortunately, later on, he let pride overtake him.
“But when he became strong, his heart was so proud that he acted corruptly, and he was unfaithful to the Lord his God, for he entered the temple of the Lord to burn incense on the altar of incense.”
2 Chronicles 26:16
Then the LORD struck him with leprosy.
“King Uzziah was a leper to the day of his death; and he lived in a separate house, being a leper, for he was cut off from the house of the Lord. And Jotham his son was over the king’s house judging the people of the land.”
2 Chronicles 26:21
Very sad.
Let’s strive to be like Uzziah, in his earlier years.
Let’s continue to seek the LORD.
by George | Jul 27, 2021 | Community News, Newsletter
Don’t Look Around
“Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’”
Isaiah 41:10
Remember when Peter walked on water? Matthew 14 says that Jesus came to the disciples who were in a boat in the midst of the storm. He was walking on the water. Jesus tells them not to be afraid.
“But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.”
“Peter said to Him, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” And He said, “Come!” And Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water and came toward Jesus.”
Matthew 14:27-29
Everything was going fine, until he looked around…
“But seeing the wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!””
Matthew 14:30
Jesus reached down to pull him up.
“Immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him, and said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?”
Matthew 14:31
Everything was fine until he looked around…
He looked around, instead of looking at Jesus.
He lost his focus.
The same thing happens to us today as we look at our circumstances, instead of looking unto our Savior.
Today’s verse encourages us not to anxiously look around us…
“Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’”
Isaiah 41:10
Let’s keep our eyes on Jesus, continually praying, as we move forward.
by George | Jul 23, 2021 | Community News, Newsletter
How to Be Unpopular
“But Jehoshaphat said, “Is there not yet a prophet of the Lord here that we may inquire of him?” The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “There is yet one man by whom we may inquire of the Lord, but I hate him, because he does not prophesy good concerning me, but evil. He is Micaiah son of Imlah.” But Jehoshaphat said, “Let not the king say so.”
1 Kings 22:7-8
I’m pretty sure that Micaiah was not on King Ahab’s Christmas card list. Also, it’s not likely that King Ahab invited Micaiah over to the palace to drink beer and watch NASCAR chariot races.
King Ahab hated Micaiah. Why? Because he always stood for the truth. He didn’t tell the king what he wanted to hear. Instead, his counsel was what the LORD gave him to say.
King Ahab of Israel and King Jehoshaphat from Judah had a meeting. King Ahab said let’s go up and fight against Ramoth-Gilead. King Jehoshaphat said sure, but let’s inquire if the LORD. So, King Ahab brings in the prophets. They tell the kings that they will be successful and win the war.
King Jehoshaphat was a godly king, and so he asked if there was a prophet of the LORD they could ask.
King Ahab said yes, but that he hated that prophet because he always prophesied evil, and not good.
They send a messenger to get Micaiah. He tells Micaiah to go along with the other prophets. In other words, don’t stir up trouble. Be like all the others and you will be ok.
Micaiah said no. “As the Lord lives, what the Lord says to me, that I shall speak.”
1 Kings 22:14
So, Micaiah tells the kings that they will not win, and King Ahab will be killed.
King Ahab gets mad and throws Micaiah into prison.
Turns out, Micaiah was right. King Ahab died in battle, just like the LORD said.
It didn’t have to be this way. King Ahab had a choice. He could have heeded the warning, repented of his sins, and live. But, he didn’t.
May we be like Micaiah and speak the truth. Sometimes it may not be the popular thing to do.
The other takeaway from this is that we need to listen to, and take seriously the word of the LORD, which is something King Ahab didn’t do…
