2 Kings 18:13-19:37 + Acts 21:1-17 + Psalm 149:1-9 + Proverbs 18:8
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Old Testament - Well, it was bound to happen. Assyria conquered Israel. They were bound to go after Judah & Jerusalem soon enough. Tough to stop an ego & power like that. It's "never enough". So, we get the bold boasts before the walls of Jerusalem by King Sennacherib of Assyria's representatives in 2 Kings 18. Verse 35 includes this boast, which didn't make God too happy - "What god of any nation has ever been able to save its people from my power? Name just one! So what makes you think that the LORD can rescue Jerusalem?"
It is wonderful to see that in 2 Kings 19 Hezekiah takes all of this to God in prayer. Good move! How often in our lives today, when challenges come our way, do we take the challenges everywhere else BUT to God? Wouldn't it be easier to take them directly to God? Why do we turn to alcohol or drugs or food or worrying or whatever - can we simply take our challenges to the one true living God who can actually do something with them? Can we model what Hezekiah did when he received distressing news from the King of Assyria, in verses 14 through 16 - "After Hezekiah received the letter and read it, he went up to the LORD's Temple and spread it out before the LORD. And Hezekiah prayed this prayer before the LORD: "O LORD, God of Israel, you are enthroned between the mighty cherubim! You alone are God of all the kingdoms of the earth. You alone created the heavens and the earth. Listen to me, O LORD, and hear! Open your eyes, O LORD, and see! Listen to Sennacherib's words of defiance against the living God."
New Testament - Wow. Check out Paul's words in Acts 21 verse 13 after it was prophesied that he would be jailed in Jerusalem: "But Paul said, "Why all this weeping? You are breaking my heart! For I am ready not only to be jailed at Jerusalem but also to die for the sake of the Lord Jesus."" What about you? Are you ready to be jailed for your faith? Are you willing to die for the sake of the Lord Jesus? These are challenging questions to consider I realize. But, I think they are useful for us to ask. If we are not ready to be jailed for our faith or not willing to die for the sake of Jesus, are we truly following Jesus? Or are we just pretending?
Paul's arrival in Jerusalem wraps up his 3rd missionary journey. Below is a quick recap of this journey of Paul's we've been reading about the past couple of days:
Bible.org's commentary on today's Acts readings titled "The Giving and Taking of Advice" is at this link.
Psalms - Psalm 149 is a beautiful song of praise today! Verse 3 I love: "Praise his name with dancing, accompanied by tambourine and harp." Do you praise God's name with dancing and music? Yes, I confess, I am a huge fan of the praise and worship thing going on in churches and with CCM artists and their concerts these days. I know this is not the only way to praise or worship God by any means. Are you praising God's name each day with the very "dance" of your life??
Proverbs - Please note that Proverbs 18 verse 8 is not advocating spreading rumors! :) "What dainty morsels rumors are--but they sink deep into one's heart." So true... rumors may seem like "dainty morsels" at first... but if you buy into receiving them and spreading them, they will infect your very heart! Do you agree with this Proverb that rumors will affect our hearts? How do you avoid hearing or spreading rumors?
Worship Video: Today's reflection in Psalms about CCM music reminds me of this video by Jars of Clay for their song "Two Hands" which was filmed in part in Africa:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q0h2sUC6wPg
Do you have two hands? Click here to meet the One who gave you your Hands!
Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: "But Paul said, 'Why all this weeping? You are breaking my heart! I am ready not only to be jailed at Jerusalem but even to die for the sake of the Lord Jesus.'" Acts 21:13 NLT
Prayer Point: Pray that you are willing to die for the sake of your Lord, Jesus. Pray that you are prepared to not only be jailed for your faith in Jesus, but to die for your faith in Jesus.
Comments from You: What verses or insights stand out to you in today's readings? Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!
God bless,
Mike
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BLOG READERS HISTORICAL COMMUNITY COMMENTS:
II Kings 18:13-19:37
I have always thought about Hezekiah’s first attempt at getting Assyria to leave its borders by means of monetary persuasions when I’m faced with a threatening situation. Appeasement only works for a short time because the enemy will always be back.
Stripping the gold from the doors of the Temple is kind of like taking the things we may have designated to God, be it monetary or our time and talents, and diverting them to another area effecting our lives as if the problem will go away, it won’t. It’s best to deal head on with the issue, but I know that it is a very hard thing to do. We want to take the path of least resistance; however, that path always seems to take us back to the point where we started, Sennacherib knocking at the door.
19:14After Hezekiah received the letter and read it, he went up to the LORD's Temple and spread it out before the LORD.
I believe the prayer prayed is a model for us to use when we feel threatened and overwhelmed. This prayer stated the truth; the Assyriaian army had conquered every country they attacked, but in the threat against Judah, the God of gods had been challenged and Hezekiah was running to the name of the Lord, his high tower.
Proverbs 18:10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower;
The righteous run to it and are safe.
Acts 21:1-7
Alexander Hamilton (1755-1804) is quoted as saying,
“Those who stand for nothing fall for anything” In order to take a stand one must be firm in planting ones feet on the ground becoming immovable from the position they have taken even to the point of death. To Fall for anything is not really living ones life to the fullest it is only existing. Paul found something to die for, thus he lived life to the max.
Mark 8:36
For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? (KJV)
Psalm 149:1-9
5 Let the faithful rejoice in this honor.
Let them sing for joy as they lie on their beds.
I’m thinking that singing for joy as I lie in my bed may be a wonderful way to prepare myself for sleep. Praising God with a glad heart and a joyful spirit may just usher me into a night of wonderful sleep. Hmmm, I won’t know unless I try.
Proverbs 18:8
If rumors are dainty morsels that sink deep into the heart than one who loves to hear “secrets” at the expense of the reputation of others, getting their ears tickled with “good” stuff will themselves become spreaders of rumors and not be listeners only
Luke 6:45The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks. (NIV)
Grace and peace,
Ramona
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Awesome! We just read through Acts ch 21-22 at church sunday night, so when i come to certain parts in my readings here, i remember what my pastor said.
Ugh, i dont like rumors or gossip, not that i'm innocent myself. I think its just our sin nature to gossip and pass on rumors, but God help us with that! Rumors are not valid to me, but i think they are still dangerous because once you hear them, your opinion of that person may be tainted. and yes, it will infect your heart.
Jenny
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Question...
Is the prophet Isaiah, first mentioned in 2 Kings 19:2, the same Isaiah who's book we will be reading later this year?
Yours in Christ
Skip
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As I was reading the taunting words of King Sennacherib this morning, it reminded me of some of the voices I have in my own head sometimes which are maybe initiated by the devil trying to get me to doubt God. King Sennacherib says, “What are you trusting that makes you so confident? Who are you counting on?” Then he goes on to try and convince them that they will be defeated just like all the rest have and their God will not save them. This sounds just like my doubts when I start to get discouraged and wonder if I will ever overcome some of my problems and sins. That’s why I love the response of the Lord in this reading today! “His armies will not enter Jerusalem. They will not even shoot an arrow at it. I will defend this city and protect it.”
When we are overwhelmed with voices of doubt, taunting us, trying to get us not to trust our Lord, we should take those doubts to the Lord like Hezekiah did and “spread them out before Him.” Then we can trust the promises from His word that He will protect and defend us, and not even one arrow will be shot at us.
Linda
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All the previous comments are quite helpful and full of insight for me, I don't know if my comment will be. I still have so much to learn about the Bible, it's history, and God's plan, but it was one of the truths that stood out to me. In 2 Kings 18:31 the Assyrian commander is making claims and promises to the people. Verse 32 ends with "Choose life and not death". I was reading and in my mind trying to remember if the Assyrian take over was part of God's plan or not. (I mean I know the whole nation will be taken into captivity at some point, so was this part of that plan?) This reminded me a similar challenge to the Israelites back in Deuteronomy 30 when Moses is telling the people about he blessings/consequences of obeying or not obeying God. The truth that stood out is simple, Evil Imitates Good. Satan will take the words of God and twist them to sound like truth when it is actually leading to destruction. Sometimes I am not able to discern the lie from the truth because it is familiar to my ears;therefore,I must take everything to God (like Hezekiah) and trust Him to direct me. Choosing life and not death is a choice I make everyday when it comes down to obeying God, actually it's a moment by moment choice for me. There is obviously so much more pondering I need to do on this reading today, but I just wanted to take a quick moment to share that bit. Any further comments are appreciated.
Sherri
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Sherri, your comments are helpful. I know God is pleased with your desire to learn all about Him and His Word. What you siad about Satan twisting God's words to make them sound like truth makes a lot of sense. There is a Bible study I just completed that really makes lots of those lies clear. If you're interested in reading it, it is Lies Women Believe by Nancy Leigh DeMoss.
Will be praying for you, Raeann!
The insight that stood out to me today was Hezekiah immediately taking his concerns straight to God. I take my concerns to God, but many times not immediately. I spend a lot of time worrying about them first. That was a great lesson today. Also, Paul being willing to die for Jesus' Name....wow. That is difficult to think about, yet it reminds me of the girl at Columbine in Colorado that did just that.
Lori
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I am struck by the song "Two Hands." Pulling God toward me with one hand while holding him at arm's length with the other...when what I ought to be doing is to be raising both hands in worship, honoring God.
Thanks for making me think today.
Jackie
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Acts 20:22, 21:4b Bob Deffinbaugh's commentary about the Holy Spirit saying different things to two people is interesting: These saints were correct in understanding that Paul would be bound in Jerusalem, but they were wrong in their conclusion that Paul should not go. Paul, on the other hand, was correct in pressing on to Jerusalem. I believe we must conclude that the Holy Spirit revealed only the fact of Paul’s fate, and that the conclusions drawn from this were not those which came from the Spirit, and were not the will of God for Paul. The expression “speaking in the Spirit” (New Jerusalem Bible) or “speaking through the Spirit” (NASB) must refer to the fact that the words spoken “through the Spirit” were the words pertaining to Paul’s bondage, while the words spoken urging Paul not to go were not spoken “through the Spirit” but were spoken out of the loving and well-intentioned hearts of these mistaken saints.
Bob
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We sought out the disciples there and stayed with them seven days. Through the Spirit they urged Paul not to go on to Jerusalem. 5 When it was time to leave, we left and continued on our way. All of them, including wives and children, accompanied us out of the city, and there on the beach we knelt to pray
For many of these encounters with the saints and disciples, ministry seems two-way. not Paul setting up conferences for attenders (like today) but receiving hospitality and prayer. With the exception of yesterday's account of his lengthy teaching, Paul is now being ministered to more than he is ministering.
Andrew
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Psalms 149 is a description of what Heaven will be like! Mike i am also into praise and worship music because it is so uplifting to my spirits. Not to say others can't enter into worship in all kinds of music! who know you might be that guy sitting next to me at one of the concerts! I mean why do we hesitate to raise our hands in worship because scripture often refers to lifting up our hands in praise!
I love Hezekiahs prayer to God! "Open your eyes and see O Lord! " We csn model his prayer when no one else can help us.
I was at a memorial service for a man who died. His daughter spoke of him at his age of 73 doing Gods work and proclaiming to be a Christian all his life. Not until 4 years ago when he learned of his cancer did he acknowledge he didn't really know the Lord. She spoke of his kingdom work and God used him to touch others lives. But then He acknowledged this and was saved and got baptized at that point. Do we know the Lord personally? Are you ready to die for him and become imprisoned as Paul says. If you aren't then you need to examine your heart.
Jane
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Mike and everyone,
This verse definitely stands out to me today:
Proverbs 18:8 NET
"The words of a gossip are like choice morsels;
they go down into the person’s innermost being."
Elliot's Commentary for English readers says -
"Dainty morsels" are eagerly swallowed, and "go down into the innermost parts of the belly," i.e., are treasured up in the deepest recesses of the heart, to be remembered and brought out again when an opportunity for employing them occurs.
i feel very convicted - many times i have been in the giving and receiving ends of gossip.
came across these verses today, need to keep them in mind:
Matthew 12:35-37 NLT
35 A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. 36 And I tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak.
37 The words you say will either acquit you or condemn you.”
So how can we have good hearts, so that out of the goodness of our hearts our mouths will speak?
Romans 12:2 NLT
2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
i think the answer is to let God's Word and His Spirit continually transform our hearts and our minds, so that we may speak according to God's good and pleasing and perfect will.
Appreciate very much this verse:
Ephesians 4:29 NET
29 You must let no unwholesome word come out of your mouth, but only what is beneficial for the building up of the one in need, that it may give grace to those who hear.
Before i say something, i should ask - is this beneficial for building up the person in need? Will it give grace to those who hear?
May God teach us as we learn from His Word each day.
May our words and our life glorify Him!
Sincerely,
Joyce
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Thank you Ramona for reminding me of my mom's often quote of A.H. she also quoted "Dare to be a Daniel, dare to stand alone, dare to have a purpose, dare to make it known. She's gone to be with the Lord. I should have heeded her advice over the years. So blessed we have a God of second chances. I am so blessed.
Alan
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When I read about King Hezekiah agreeing to pay King Sennacherib to leave his people alone, I thought that this seemed almost like blackmail, and no good ever comes from that. But Hezekiah was a good man, and he did the right thing with his prayer and submission to God's will. I especially liked the picture of Hezekiah kneeling before the Lord.
I liked the song and video today too. The gift of water made these people with so little so happy.
God bless all of you this holiday week.
God bless America!
Judie
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So true Ramona, about ones enjoying tasty morsels are usually good gossipers too. I am guilty of that at times. I've learned to be honest with myself and others and be like please don't tell me something if you don't want it repeated. Alot of times I do it accidentally. So I try to nip it by being honest and on guard. However prayer and reading the book of James teaches us about bridling our mouths and what the power of the tongue can do. Amen!
Dee
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I like the comment / challenge for us from observing the life of Hezekiah:
“Why do we turn to alcohol or drugs or food or worrying or whatever - can we simply take our challenges to the one true living God who can actually do something with them?”
2 Kings 19 (NKJV)
14
And Hezekiah received the letter from the hand of the messengers, and read it; and Hezekiah went up to the house of the LORD, and spread it before the LORD.
15
Then Hezekiah prayed before the LORD, and said: “O LORD God of Israel, THE ONE WHO DWELLS BETWEEN THE CHERUBIM, You are God, You alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth.
16
Incline Your ear, O LORD, and hear; open Your eyes, O LORD, and see; and hear the words of Sennacherib, which he has sent to reproach the living God.
17
TRULY, LORD, THE KINGS OF ASSYRIA HAVE LAID WASTE the nations and their lands,
18
and have cast their gods into the fire; for they were not gods, but the work of men’s hands—wood and stone. Therefore they destroyed them.
19
NOW THEREFORE, O LORD OUR GOD, I PRAY, SAVE US FROM HIS HAND, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that You are the LORD God, You alone.”
MY NOTE:
Note the verses highlighted in all capital letters:
a. God is the One Who Dwells Between The Cherubim
b. It Is True, O Lord, That The Enemy Has Laid Waste
c. Now, O Lord Our God, Save Us, So That All May Know That You Alone Are God.
I like the simple and direct frankness and honesty of Hezehiah:
* You are the God of Mercy
* The enemy has killed many others and plans to kill us
* Deliver us so all can know that You God alone are the true God.
A. What are cherubim? According to the website, hebrew4christians.com (http://hebrew4christians.com/Glossary/Hebrew_Glossary_-_K/hebrew_glossary_-_k.html), this is the meaning of cherubim:
Keruv / Keruvim (Cherubim)
noun. Cherub / Cherubim. Heavenly creatures (angels) who guarded the wa to the Tree of Life in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:24).
In the context of this passage in 2 Kings, the cherubim are connected with the ark of the covenant, which is related to God’s Presence.
GOD’S PRESENCE - From the same website, hebrew4christians.com (http://hebrew4christians.com/Glossary/Hebrew_Glossary_-_Sh/hebrew_glossary_-_sh.html)
Shechinah
noun. Shechinah; Divine Presence; Inspiration. Sometimes used to refer to the Presence of God and specifically when it dwelt (rested) between the Keruvim (Cherubim) over the Seat of Atonement of the Ark of the Testimony in the Kodesh Hakodeshim (Holy of Holies).
God’s Presence is always honored and manifest where His chosen sacrifice for our sins is. In that place, there is peace (Shalom – which is completeness for the entire human being: spirit, soul, and body).
God longs to be close to each of us, and it is where God’s chosen sacrifice is honored where God can reveal Himself to man.
Hezekiah and the people of Israel were unified together under the authority of the Blood covenant of the Lord God of Mercy. Today, we can do the same.
Jesus is the Perfect Sacrifice of God, and we are His Body on this earth. We are called to walk in unity with one another—not always in perfect agreement on every point—but in agreement under the Lordship of Jesus and His Blood. We can pray for one another, and we can pray together for those who need Jesus. Finally, we can pray as one against the evil in the world.
As we do that, the Father manifest His very glory to us.
John 17 (NKJV)
22
And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one:
23
I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.
Terrorism does not have to rule and reign on the earth as long as Jesus is Lord, and as long as the people of God unite in prayer and fasting under the Blood covenant of the Lord God of Mercy in Jesus’ Name.
Acts 21 (NKJV)
14
When he would not be dissuaded, we gave up and said, "The Lord's will be done."
NOTE:
Many times I have said “The Lord’s will be done” in a way that was really unbelief. I did not want to take time to wait, surrender, and hear from God.
So, at that time, for me to say, “The Lord’s will be done”, was really an excuse to not seek God.
There is nothing passive about following God. Yes, there can be wonderful times of rest.
But, we are called to truly and actively seek the Lord’s will, and then pray, “The Lord’s will be done”.
Ephesians 5 (NKJV)
15
See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise,
16
redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
17
Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
John 1 (NKJV)
12
But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name
NOTES FROM THE FULL LIFE STUDY BIBLE:
John 1:12 – BELIEVED
“It is important to note that John never uses the noun ‘belief’ (Greek – pistis). Yet he uses the verb ‘believe’ (Greek – pisteuo) 98 times. For John, saving faith is an activity, something that people do. True faith is not a static belief and trust in Jesus and His redeeming work, but a loving, self-abandoning commitment that constantly draws one near to Him as Lord and Savior.”
Psalm 149 (NKJV)
4
For the LORD takes pleasure in His people; He will beautify the humble with salvation.
5
Let the saints be joyful in glory; let them sing aloud on their beds.
6
Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a two-edged sword in their hand,
7
To execute vengeance on the nations, and punishments on the peoples;
8
To bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron;
9
To execute on them the written judgment— this honor have all His saints. Praise the LORD!
NOTE:
What a place of honor and privilege for us, as the people of God! Also… what a calling!
Fulfilling our calling—or fulfilling the vision of how GOD HIMSELF SEES US—then, is the reason for the great urgency for developing and using the activity of faith – that “loving, self-abandoning commitment that constantly draws one near to Him as Lord and Savior.”
How do we as the people of God conquer?
While God may use a government through military force when needed, God never calls the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ to conquer that way.
According to Romans 13:4, God created a government to “not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil.”
Where there is a government which is oppressing people and doing evil things, that government and its leaders will be held strictly accountable.
We are called to conquer through spiritual weapons—prayer, fasting, intercession, and the power of the living God through us who are not worthy. Yet, God has made us worthy in Jesus.
Vance