The Book of 2 Chronicles
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
MARCH 2019 The eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. 2 Chronicles 16:9 THE BOOK OF 2 CHRONICLES A ministry of TODAY WITH MARK JOBE President of Moody Bible Institute The Trap of Self-Reliance We love a self- spiritual geography of the earth, scanning reliant, independent continents, countries, provinces, cities, maverick. From God’s communities, neighborhoods, streets, perspective, however, and homes—until His eyes suddenly the weak and broken stop. A heart that is completely His is who have learned to difficult to find. I picture the heavenly rely on Him are the beings holding their breath in anticipation real heroes. Self-reliance is a subtle and then whispering quietly, “He has cancer of the soul because it slowly found one!” replaces our dependence on God with our dependence on our own ability and When God finds such a person, He resources. Unlike other temptations, the “strengthens” the man or woman whose more experience we gain and the more heart is completely yielded to Him. successful we become the greater we He enjoys pouring His power into that feel the lethal pull of self-reliance. person. A “heart fully committed” is not only about commitment. It’s about In 2 Chronicles, the prophet Hanani relying on God more than relying on self. was called to challenge King Asa’s self- In his early life, King Asa relied on and reliance and half-hearted commitment sought after God. But as the years went to God: “For the eyes of the L range by, he replaced his dependence on throughout the earth to strengthen God with his own experience. He was those whose hearts are fully committed a seasoned veteran of political strategy to him” (2 Chron. 16:9). and military tactics. He was experienced in leadership. Yet he had lost something I am compelled by the image of God vital. His reliance on God was gone. systematically scouring the earth to find the rare treasure. Have you ever seen We need to come back to God, someone searching for a lost contact turning our backs on our own proud lens? They will stop everything and try self-confidence. How liberating to to spot the nearly invisible plastic disc. transition from the hollow arrogance of Their eyes move slowly back and forth self-reliance to the strength of God- across the floor. dependence. n Picture the all-powerful eyes of God —adapted from Unstuck by Mark Jobe moving back and forth across the (Moody Publishers). 800 356¡6639 THEOLOGY MATTERS by Dr. John Koessler God’s Dwelling hen Solomon dedicated the “are being built together to become temple, he prayed: “But will a dwelling in which God lives by his W God really dwell on earth Spirit” (Eph. 2:22). with humans? The heavens, even the highest heavens, cannot contain you. In this church age, the glory of God is How much less this temple I have not revealed by means of smoke and built!” (2 Chron. 6:18). The temple in fire but through the transformed lives of Jerusalem was not a container for individual believers who honor God with God. He is always present everywhere their bodies. God’s people experience and “does not live in temples built by His presence when they come together human hands” (Acts 17:24). But God as church to worship and to hear the did reveal His presence there in a Word of God (1 Cor. 14:25). The truth unique way, and His glory was visibly that Christians are temples of the living seen (2 Chron. 7:1–3). The same thing God sanctifies ordinary life. Every happened during the time of Moses ordinary act is an opportunity to express with the tabernacle (Lev. 9:24). my devotion to God and display His transforming power. The temple in Jerusalem is not the only temple of God mentioned in the The truth that believers are being Bible. The New Testament describes built together to be God’s dwelling believers’ bodies as “temples of is a reminder of the vital importance the Holy Spirit” (1 Cor. 6:19). This of coming together as church. We do description is not spatial so much as this to encounter God through His it is relational. Paul did not mean that Word and to be built up so that we the Holy Spirit fills up the physical can continue to glorify Him with our space inside our bodies but rather obedience. Jesus Christ ushered in that our bodies belong to Him. He a new age in which believers are the purchased us with the blood of Christ temple, and true worshipers worship and empowers us by His Spirit. God’s the Father in Spirit and truth (John ownership obligates us to use our 4:21–24). n bodies for God’s glory (1 Cor. 6:20). FOR FURTHER STUDY Similarly, the New Testament describes To learn more, read How to the church as God’s temple. All those Be Filled with the Holy Spirit by who have been united to Christ in faith A. W. Tozer (Moody Publishers). TODAYINTHEWORD.COM FROM THE EDITORS by Jamie Janosz A Family that Prays Together! We are so encouraged by our Today I just received my first issue, and in the Word family! Thank you for it’s beyond amazing! The teachings praying with us and for us each day. quench my thirst for biblical When you lift up the individual names knowledge! —Maria, Ohio of the Moody Bible Institute staff before the throne of God, you are participating Thank you so much for your efforts in kingdom work. Many members of our to provide this sound daily Bible study staff say they feel especially encouraged for me. And thank you for continuing on the day you pray for them. We’d love to provide the hard copy in the mail! to pray for you as well. Send us a note I treasure my quiet time with the Lord to say what God is doing in your life each morning with my Today in the and how we can pray for you. Here Word. Thanking the Lord for you! are a few of your recent letters. Blessings to you all. —Jan, New Mexico My husband and I do our devotions each morning together and study Today in the Today in the Word has been a valued Word as part of our daily devotions. It’s resource in my daily life to draw me been a blessing to us to listen to God closer to Jesus and to look more like daily. —Deborah, Indiana Him in spirit and in character. Thank you. —Gary, Georgia Today in the Word has been a huge help in my spiritual growth and connection to I have been reading and sharing my family. I am able to share things with Today in the Word for about 20 years. my mom and sister who also use it. I also I have made notes in my Bible along share with friends who I try to encourage the way. I cannot tell you how many in their walk with the Lord. Thank you to times I’ve used these notes to all of the writers!! It has greatly helped explain Scriptures and share with in understanding God’s Word, and God others. I pass along the older issues has used it to give me understanding in to ladies hungry for the Word. Thank many areas. Again, thank you! you for this life-changing tool. —Yvonne, Florida —Gloria, California n 800 3566639 VOLUME 32 • ISSUE 3 MANAGING EDITOR Heather Mott SENIOR EDITOR Elena Mafter CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Jamie Janosz The Book of 2 Chronicles John Koessler WRITER Eric C. Redmond Imagine God saying to you: “Ask for whatever you ART DIRECTOR want me to give you.” What would you ask? In the first Lynn Gabalec chapter of 2 Chronicles, that’s exactly what God tells GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Larry Bohlin, Rachel Hutcheson Solomon. Solomon asks for wisdom and knowledge. MARKETING & PRODUCTION God grants Solomon his request, and because he wants Paul B. Currie the things of God and not material things, God also MOODY BIBLE INSTITUTE gives him tremendous wealth, prosperity, and strength PRESIDENT for his kingdom. Mark Jobe INTERIM PROVOST John Jelinek This month in Today in the Word, we’ll study 2 Chronicles, EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT from the inspiring story of the reign of King Solomon to Mark Wagner the unhappy reigns of Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin, SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT Greg Thornton and Zedekiah. From the restoration of the temple at CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER the beginning of the book to the melancholy account Ken Heulitt of the utter ruin and desolation of Judah and Jerusalem CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER Samuel Choy at the end. VICE PRESIDENTS Tim Arens Solomon wanted to honor God, and his choices Larry Davidhizar revealed what was in his heart. As we review the arc Jim Elliott Bruce Everhart of Israel’s history in 2 Chronicles, let this account Doug Hastings Frank W. Leber Jr. challenge you and help you search your heart. In the Bryan O’Neal same way that Solomon passed the test of choosing Paul Santhouse Janet Stiven spiritual things amid the unlimited possibilities granted Anthony Turner to him, may we choose Christ and His righteousness Debbie Zelinski always, everywhere, in all circumstances. And just as TRUSTEES the book ends with a brief note of hope for return from Christopher Denison Orbelina Eguizabal the Babylonian captivity, may we also have hope, even T. Randall Fairfax (Chairman) in the midst of hardships and pain.