12, 22, and 8

So did you go into today's reading a little differently?  Did you first consider:

1. What truth stands out from these passages?
2. What do I need to do/apply?

I was amazed today when I saw the age at which these boys became kings!  Manasseh was only 12, Amon was 22, and Josiah was practically a baby, in our eyes, at 8 years old.  If you didn't read anything in Chapters 33-34 yet - take a guess at who you think would be the most wise and faithful leader. 

There were a couple of truths that stood out to me today.  First, was Manasseh's vast amounts of blatant sinning against the Lord (including pagan sacrifices of his own sons)...and then his repentance and the forgiveness he received from God.  The truth here being that while we can't be "good enough" for God...we also cannot be "bad enough" for him to leave us when we call out to him in true repentance.  (Manasseh, like Saul/Paul, didn't just say sorry - he turned from his sin and drew himself close to the Lord and worked to live in obedience after he was forgiven.)  What I need to apply from this is that I can be judgemental and it's not my right to do that.  I read about crimes and people in prison, and I think there's no way to forgive what they've done.  But, in reality, a sin is a sin...and ANY sin breaks relationship with our Saviour.

Now back to our young kings...the other truth that stood out to me is that Josiah was the youngest when he became king, and yet he was the one who did right in the eyes of the Lord even after succeeding his father Amon who did quite the opposite.  It reminded me of 1 Timothy 4:12 "Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith, and in purity".  For me, sometimes I still look at myself as a "young" believer because I didn't grow up having a relationship with Jesus.  But regardless of this, I have seen God use me in big and little ways...and, although sometimes I need encouragement, I need to stop being afraid.

"...And so he prospered."

I know many of you are feeling what I am.  Bored.  Reading the Old Testament has been a challenge to stay motivated to continue the reading each day (or to catch up when you miss one or two).  But I want you to do something.  Humor me.  Open your Bible up to today's reading (2 Chronicles 31-32).  Now, hold that page, and find the end of the book of Malachi and take a look at how much we have left to read!  Please don't think I am trying to discourage you...what I was thinking is "Holy crap, we only have two and a half months left and look at everything we're going to cover!!".  That's a lot of reading, and I know that things are going to start getting more interesting.

That said...I wanted to tell you about the new bible study we're doing at church (we call them "Journey" classes).  We are starting to read the Old Testament!  LOL...so yep, I get to do this all over again.  Ha ha...awesome.

So for this Journey class, we have a journal.  For each reading there are two questions:

1. What truth stands out from these passages?
2. What do I need to do/apply?

Yesterday we had to read Genesis 1-2...and I was surprised to see that I didn't even blog about these two chapters in the beginning of the year!  But when confronted with two simple questions,  the Scripture really opened up new meaning and relevance to me.  I thought it would make a lot of sense to apply these two questions when we're doing this challenge as well?  Maybe answer them literally or just pray over them before you read so that you are open to seeing more than just words on the page.

That is how I came to highlight the verse in Chapter 31:21 "...And so he prospered."  It was a truth that stood out to me.  For me, it was because (until the very end) in all things Hezekiah served the Lord, trusted the Lord, and relied on the Lord's strength.  And so he prospered.  Reading and focusing on this brought me to the answer for question 2.  What I need to do is keep trusting God.  I am going through a trial of waiting (my job search).  Like Hezekiah preparing for the Assyrian invasion, I need to do everything I can to apply for jobs...but in the end I have to commit this situation to the Lord who is the only one who is in control over it.  Sometimes I get very sad/depressed because nothing seems to be happening, almost like all the doors are locked.  But at the same time I am well aware that God is using this time to bring me closer to Him, and to study His Word for strength and reassurance...and so I remind myself (sometimes every five minutes) that He is my strong foundation, that He will set me on solid ground and when I do get a new job I will be able to praise God for the work he's done (and will have to remember not to be prideful like Hezekiah was at the end).