God Speaks
The Reigns of the Kings: Amaziah of Judah, Jehoash and Jeroboam II of Israel
Verse of the Day: The LORD had seen how bitterly everyone in Israel, whether slave or free,, was suffering; there was no one to help them. And since the LORD had not said He would blot out the name of Israel from under heaven, He saved them by the hand of Jeroboam son of Jehoash. (2 Kings 14:26-27 NIV 2011)
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We Respond
Reflection
Consider the following questions regarding 2 Kings 14 and 2 Chronicles 25
> 1. What does this chapter tell me about God?
> 2. What does this chapter tell me about the human beings He created?
Here is one possible answer to each of these questions. Ask the Holy Spirit if there are any others for you personally to ponder.
2 Kings 14 and 2 Chronicles 25 [Since these chapters are nearly identical, they will be addressed as a unit.]
1. God sends prophets or wise counselors to people (in this case rulers) to help them to determine if a particular decision is wise or foolish.
2. People often disregard wise counsel and do “their own thing” and sometimes suffer severe consequences.
Prayer
> 3. How might I pray regarding 2 Kings 14 and 2 Chronicles 25?
O LORD God, You are the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and the nation that You formed from their offspring. In spite of their repeated rebellion, You never gave up on them as a people, even after their split, capture and exile. You have always looked at and dealt with them as a whole. They were always Your people. You warned them in advance of what would happen, even from the beginning with Abraham. Please help me to heed the advice of the wise counsellors You place in my life to assist me in making wise decisions and taking wise actions. Don’t let me disregard their counsel and do my own thing. May this also be true of the leaders You place over me (and those I hold dear) whether they are local, state/province or national. Whenever I (or these leaders) have a decision to make, may I (or they) bring it to You in prayer first. May I (we) research what You have said in the Bible about the issue. Then, may I (we) seek out the counsel of wise and knowledgeable people. Even those who do not believe in You will be blessed if they follow Your principles. Whenever we do, we bring You glory, LORD. AMEN
Action
(Ask God, the Holy Spirit, if He wants you to work on one of the suggestions below or something else more personal that He points out.)
> 4. What action does the LORD want me to take in response to 2 Kings 14 and 2 Chronicles 25?
With the help of God’s Holy Spirit:
I will first discuss the issue with the LORD in prayer, research what the Bible has to say about it and consult a godly, wise and knowledgeable person I know regarding a particular decision I need to make, then follow their combined advice.
I will have a face to face meeting with someone with whom I disagree, being careful not to be “captured” by them.
I will show godly love to someone I consider an enemy.
I will work to bring to justice those who have acted wickedly.
Share
I plan to share what I’ve learned with __________.