2 Chronicles 12:13, 14
2 Chronicles 11:18-23
2 Chronicles 12:1-12
1 Kings 14:25-28
2 Chronicles 12:13-16
1 Kings 14:29-15:5
2 Chronicles 13:1-22
1 Kings 15:6-8
1 Chronicles 14:1-8
1 Kings 15:9-15
1 Kings 14:19, 20
1 Kings 15:25-34
2 Chronicles 14:9-15:19
We began to follow the complicated history of the divided kingdoms of
Israel and Judah. So far, the kings in Israel were Jeroboam, Nadab, and Baasha;
and in Judah, the kings were Rehoboam, Abijah, and Asa. Not only were these
kings at war with foreign nations, they were constantly at war with each other.
While following the history of these nations and their kings will be
challenging, if not confusing, one principle surfaces immediately and remains
true to the end — covenant-keepers win and covenant-breakers lose. Those kings who
honor and obey the Lord are secure and blessed, while those kings that disobey
and dishonor the Lord are recipients of His wrath. Take for example the
following verses:
“Jeroboam did not turn from his evil ways... This became a
great sin and resulted in the destruction of his kingdom and the death of all
his family” (1 Kings 13:33, 34).
“When Rehoboam was firmly established and strong, he
abandoned the law of the Lord and all Israel followed him in this sin. Because
they were unfaithful to the Lord, King Shishak of Egypt attacked Jerusalem...
But, when
Rehoboam humbled himself, the Lord’s anger was turned aside and he did not destroy him completely;
and, there was still goodness in the land of Judah” (2 Chronicles 12:1, 2,
12).
“Asa did what was pleasing in God’s sight, as his ancestor
David had done... He remained faithful to the Lord throughout his life... So the Lord
defeated the Ethiopians in the presence of Asa and the army of Judah and the
enemy fled” (1 Kings 15:11-15; 2 Chronicles 14:9-12).
Listen to this message that the prophet Azariah gave to King Asa, “The
Lord will stay with you as long as you stay with Him. Whenever you seek
Him, you will find Him. But if you abandon Him, He will abandon you...” Asa
challenged the people to renew their covenant with God, “to seek the Lord, the
God of their ancestors with all their heart and soul... Eagerly they sought
after God and they found Him; and the Lord gave them rest from their enemies on
every side” (2 Chronicles 15:2, 12-15).
Daily Reflection
Covenant-keepers win and covenant-breakers lose. This principle does
not imply that those who follow the Lord will never have difficulties in their
lives or that somehow life will be all sunshine and rainbows. However, it does
affirm that God is faithful, and He does honor those who honor Him. His
side is the winning side, and He rewards those who are with Him, perhaps not in
this lifetime but in the next.
Have you seen evidence of the fact that God rewards those you are
faithful to Him? How so?
President Abraham Lincoln was once asked during the Civil War if God
was on the side of the Northern states. He responded, “We should not ask if God
is on our side but rather we should ask if we are on God’s side.” Have you been
faithful to the Lord? Are you seeking to know Him, to love Him, and to obey
Him?
BiAY.org | Day 160 — 205 Days to Go
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