Daily D – 2 Chronicles 28:1-4

by | Aug 20, 2024 | Daily D | 0 comments

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2 Chronicles 28:1-4  Ahaz was twenty years old when he became king, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. He did not do what was right in the Lord’s sight like his ancestor David, for he walked in the ways of the kings of Israel and made cast images of the Baals. He burned incense in Ben Hinnom Valley and burned his children in the fire, imitating the detestable practices of the nations the Lord had dispossessed before the Israelites. He sacrificed and burned incense on the high places, on the hills, and under every green tree. (CSB)

King Ahaz was an ABG Leader. He would try anything to get ahead, Anything But God. He knew Israel’s history. He knew the stories of God’s amazing grace, wonder-working power, dramatic deliverance, and daily provision. He knew it and pretended it didn’t happen. 

Ahaz didn’t want to serve an all-powerful God; he wanted to become so powerful that nothing and no one could oppose him. He chose evil to accrue power. 

Let’s play like we are babies playing Peek-a-Boo. Babies love this game. They are learning what is predictable and dependable in their brand-new understanding. They laugh with delight when what is hidden from them for a moment is replaced by the face they love so much. 

Predictability teaches us so many things. For example, do stupid things and get stupid results. Do the hard right thing and get God-honoring results that bless and serve others. 

What do you think happens with Ahaz? Things went from bad to worse because of his endless bad decisions. He inevitably came to a turning point. He had an opportunity to ask God for help, to undo all of his foolishness. What happened next? Verse 22 tells us:

“At the time of his distress, King Ahaz himself became more unfaithful to the Lord.”

Ahaz doubled down in his rebellion against God and all his goodness. Forrest Gump’s mom was right. Stupid is as stupid does. 

Ahaz did not begin well or end well. He was buried, but not with the honorable kings who lived before him. What a wasted life!

Let’s predict what happens next for us. When we choose to look for God’s goodness, we find it and delight in it again and again. When we trust God to be God, to provide and protect, we experience his goodness with joy. That goodness overflows to those we are closest to where we live, work, and play. 

There is the option of the Ahaz Way, the ABG School of Leadership. It is the way of foolproof failure. You are guaranteed to lose.

I will choose to look for God and to delight in his smile.

Our Father, I look to you alone for what I need and what I want. Shape all of my desires by your grace and kindness. Empower me to express your overflowing goodness whenever I’m pressed. Amen.

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Daily D – Psalm 119:1-8

Psalm 119:1-8

“Joyful are people of integrity,
who follow the instructions of the Lord.
Joyful are those who obey his laws
and search for him with all their hearts.
They do not compromise with evil,
and they walk only in his paths.
You have charged us to keep your commandments carefully.
Oh, that my actions would consistently
reflect your decrees!
Then I will not be ashamed
when I compare my life with your commands.
As I learn your righteous regulations,
I will thank you by living as I should!
I will obey your decrees.
Please don’t give up on me!”

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2 Kings 20:16-19 Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah, “Listen to this message from the Lord: The time is coming when everything in your palace—all the treasures stored up by your ancestors until now—will be carried off to Babylon. Nothing will be left, says the Lord. Some of your very own sons will be taken away into exile. They will become eunuchs who will serve in the palace of Babylon’s king.”

Then Hezekiah said to Isaiah, “This message you have given me from the Lord is good.” For the king was thinking, “At least there will be peace and security during my lifetime.”

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John 16:33 “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”

Daily D – John 16:19-22

John 16:19-22 Jesus realized they wanted to ask him about it, so he said, “Are you asking yourselves what I meant? I said in a little while you won’t see me, but a little while after that you will see me again. I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn over what is going to happen to me, but the world will rejoice. You will grieve, but your grief will suddenly turn to wonderful joy. It will be like a woman suffering the pains of labor. When her child is born, her anguish gives way to joy because she has brought a new baby into the world. So you have sorrow now, but I will see you again; then you will rejoice, and no one can rob you of that joy.”

Daily D – John 15:12-13

John 15:12, 13 “This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”