September 15, 2010 2 Chronicles 24, 25-Morning and Evening, Morning Devotion From Spurgeon
It is interesting how someone could do what was right in the eyes of the lord for YEARS, then at the death of the mentor turn and lose it all. That is what happened again to this king in Chapter 24.
Some thoughts I have on chapter 25, the king found 300, 000 men who were fit for war and could handle a spear and a shield. Think of that, boys were obviously trained to fight as a common practice. It would have to be or they would not be one of the ready ones at 20.
I LOVE this chapter. It is one of those that spells out how we are to trust God. It blatantly describes God's ability to save and provide. I do think it is sad that the 3,000 people of Judah were killed by the angry Israelites, especially since God said He would be with the army of Judah and supply more than they paid. I wonder if it was a consequence for calling upon Israel in the first place.
Once again, the king falls and is destroyed. Ever notice how the whole country suffers each time a king turns from God?
I thought the following from Spurgeon was very fitting for us as American Christians right now. Well, obviously any Christian facing any tribulation, it is just that we are on the brink of something here.
September 15
Morning Verse
"He shall not be afraid of evil tidings." Psalm 112:7
Christian, you ought not to dread the arrival of evil tidings; because if you are distressed by them, what do you more than other men? Other men have not your God to fly to; they have never proved His faithfulness as you have done, and it is no wonder if they are bowed down with alarm and cowed with fear: but you profess to be of another spirit; you have been begotten again unto a lively hope, and your heart lives in heaven and not on earthly things; now, if you are seen to be distracted as other men, what is the value of that grace which you profess to have received? Where is the dignity of that new nature which you claim to possess?
Again, if you should be filled with alarm, as others are, you would, doubtless, be led into the sins so common to others under trying circumstances. The ungodly, when they are overtaken by evil tidings, rebel against God; they murmur, and think that God deals hardly with them. Will you fall into that same sin? Will you provoke the Lord as they do?
Moreover, unconverted men often run to wrong means in order to escape from difficulties, and you will be sure to do the same if your mind yields to the present pressure. Trust in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him. Your wisest course is to do as Moses did at the Red Sea, "Stand still and see the salvation of God." For if you give way to fear when you hear of evil tidings, you will be unable to meet the trouble with that calm composure which nerves for duty, and sustains under adversity. How can you glorify God if you play the coward? Saints have often sung God's high praises in the fires, but will your doubting and desponding, as if you had none to help you, magnify the Most High? Then take courage, and relying in sure confidence upon the faithfulness of your covenant God, "let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."
Charles Hadden Spurgeon, Morning and Evening, WORDsearch CROSS e-book, Under: "September 15".
Our fun little yard is growing up.
