Pedigree Misses the Point
Read: 2 Chronicles 10:1-15; Romans 2:28 My father disciplined you with whips, but I will discipline you with scorpions. (2 Chron. 10:14) I live in an area that has a fair amount of people with Dutch roots. Since I am not Dutch, I sometimes miss the conversation about how someone is related to someone else—what some call […]
Built to Impress
Read: 2 Chronicles 9:1-12; Luke 11:29-32 I did not believe the reports until I came and my own eyes had seen it. (2 Chron. 9:6) Recently my wife and I made a trip to New Mexico. We traveled to Chaco Canyon, one of the best-preserved ruins of ancient indigenous people in the Americas. Seeing the ruins and […]
The Most Well-Known Verse in Chronicles
Read: 2 Chronicles 7:12-22; 1 John 5:14-15 If my people who are called by my name humble themselves . . . then I will hear from heaven. (2 Chron. 7:14) If you have memorized one verse in the two books of Chronicles, it’s probably today’s key verse. This verse is often picked for national prayer breakfasts applying “my people” […]
A Model of Prayer
Read: 2 Chronicles 6:32-39; Hebrews 7:25 When a foreigner, who is not of your people Israel, comes . . . and prays toward this house, hear from heaven your dwelling place. (2 Chron. 6:32) When my wife and I needed furniture, we went to a show room where they had countless models of sofas so we could learn about […]
Walking with Balance
Read: 2 Chronicles 2:13-18; Philippians 4:8-9 Now I have sent a skilled man, who has understanding, Huram-abi. (2 Chron. 2:13) My experience with the game of tennis is that the foundation is all about proper balance. Similarly, we can be captivated by the dazzling sights and sounds of the world, and yet on the other hand completely […]
Ask What I Should Give You?
Read: 2 Chronicles 1:1-17; Matthew 6:33 In that night God appeared to Solomon, and said to him, “Ask what I shall give you.” (2 Chron. 1:7) In learning to get dressed, a child learns that if you start with the wrong button at the bottom of the shirt, then things will not be right at the top […]
Who Will Offer Willingly?
Read: 1 Chronicles 29:1-13; 2 Corinthians 8:2 Who then will offer willingly, consecrating himself today to the LORD? (1 Chron. 29:5) Some congregations have done away with the collection of money during Sunday worship services for fear that it communicates the wrong message to visitors and seekers. The sensitivity to those seeking Jesus is a good thing, […]
Divine Details and Human Freedom
Read: 1 Chronicles 28:9-21; 2 Corinthians 6:16 Then David gave Solomon his son the plan of the vestibule of the temple. (1 Chron. 28:11) In one of the congregations that I served as the pastor, the congregation made plans for a building project. This led to an extensive search for the original blueprints. When they were finally […]
The Man and Time of Rest
Read: 1 Chronicles 22:1-10; Hebrews 4:9-11 Behold, a son shall be born to you who shall be a man of rest. (1 Chron. 22:9) Recently in Sunday worship, we had a reverse offering. Instead of putting something in the offering plate, we were invited to take out a card printed with a word to consider. My card […]