One Year Bible, July 30

2 CHRONICLES 26:1 - 28:27                                                                                     
PRIDE IN MY ACCOMPLISHMENTS:  King Uzziah started out strong, had a lot of victories, but then invaded the priestly office by going into the Temple to burn incense. His SUCCESSES were his downfall, not his FAILURES. V. 16 says, "But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up to his destruction, for he transgressed against the Lord his God." God struck him with leprosy ("mark of the beast") and his son ruled in his place.

A GOOD FINISH:  "Jotham grew powerful because he walked steadfastly before the LORD his God." (27:7) His godly mother obviously had an influence on him and he found his success in spiritual things.

DEAD WITHOUT HONOR:  Ahaz was VERY WICKED. He was an idolater, including human sacrifices, molten images and burning "strange fire" (incense). He built his own altars on every street corner and rearranged the Temple furniture (tried to change the terms of covenant: water baptism, washing of regeneration, sanctification, Sabbath, being saved by the Blood of Jesus) He practiced astrology and died without honor.

RESPONSE:   "It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness." (Prov 16:12)   Success and power can have a corrupting influence on the person who holds it. We rule because of God's permission because ALL power and authority belong to God and is therefore delegated by Him.   It is righteousness that makes our authority effective.  Ahaz became an idolater because it "worked" for everyone else!  He saw their "success" and he believed their gods had helped them.

ROMANS 13:1-14                                                                                                                
CHRISTIAN'S RESPONSIBILITY TO AUTHORITY:  All authority comes from God.  Civil authorities are "God's ministers".  It is delegated authority, so if the person in authority is not submitted to God, he rules by permission - and has no REAL authority of his own.  There are two ways to OBTAIN AUTHORITY: by office and by appointment.   If you are a parent, you have authority by office.   If you are a teacher, you have authority by appointment and it supersedes the parental authority in the classroom where the teacher "reigns".  Christians submit to authority based on principal, not fear.  The only time a believer disobeys delegated authority is when they are asked to do things contrary of the Word or to God.  THEN, the believer suffers the penalty (like Paul and the apostles in jail).  Usurpers and abusers of authority are dealt with BY GOD.  Believers are to have a submitted ATTITUDE and submit to the penalty, but do not obey antichristian commands. Believers may NOT incite anarchy or be lawless.  Preach, if God says preach, but "take your medicine" with a smile on your face.

RELATIONSHIP IS EVERYTHING:  If you don't believe that, you haven't read your Bible!  It matters how you treat people.  Romans 13 says that you must never owe your brothers or unbelievers anything because you have defrauded them through adultery, murder, etc.   Instead, love him.  This is covenant-keeping behavior.

TIME TO WAKE UP!:  All history is in a great night, (darkness) and even though it goes against nature, the Church must not sleep.  We must put on armor and prepare for war.  We must keep our ear tuned to obey God.  This is impossible if we indulge our flesh because that indulgence makes our spirit lethargic and dull.  Make no excuses, don't justify fleshly behavior, and for heaven's sake, don't blame anyone else when you misrepresent the Lord Jesus!

RESPONSE: What is the "armor of light"?  First of all, I believe it is truthfulness and integrity.  Our deeds must be done in the light and be open to scrutiny.  "Walk honestly" and don't cause trouble because you are self-centered and want to be "right"!  We must never defend ourselves, never demand our own way, and never complain. That's our armor that protects us from defaming the Lord Jesus.  Let's not allow ourselves to make Jesus look like a jerk!

PSALM 23:1-6                                                                                                                       
See 1 Sam 22:5, David probably wrote this in Hereth, which is a parched, dry place and there was no hope for survival.   He was hiding from King Saul, who was trying to kill him.  Through lack, weariness, shadows and loneliness, David knew that the Lord would "shepherd" him.  He was a man of "one desire" and that was for God's Presence.

My enemies (world-spirit of antichrist and my flesh) are compelled to look on and see how GOOD God is and what He has done for me!  Following God is the pathway of safety, even in the dark!  He "restores my soul" - God re-animates my inner man that is exhausted, sad, troubled, anxious - and brings back vigor!

PROVERBS 20:11                                                                                                             
The earliest actions are prophesies of the future. Thankfully, a child's actions are easily detected - so retraining is still possible.

RESPONSE:  I am never alone. I should be never afraid (sometimes I forget momentarily). I should never be offended. I am never without resources.  My "shepherd" is always there. I am working on being a person of "one desire" --- for today.