“Many people pass through the doors of your church – strangers who visit for the day never to return, seekers who come to taste and stay to feast, scoffers who never tasted at all, and the faithful who are there week after week supporting God’s work. New people move into the community and choose your church as their place of worship, while others are transferred and leave your church behind. Today, the church is something of a revolving door – newcomers moving in, others leaving, a few staying for a lifetime. Through it all, your church remains intact, continuing the ministry God intended. The church body, like the human body, is always in the process of changing, but there is a certain continuity that keeps life going.
But there are churches that don’t make it, churches where worship and the very life of the church seem to fade and die. This is what happened to the Temple, God’s house, in the days portrayed in 2 Chronicles. In one sense, this book is a history of the kings of Judah and of the nation itself. But more important, 2 Chronicles is a history of the Temple of God, the “church” of that day. It tells the story of bad kings who let God’s house fall into disrepair and good kings who worked to restore it by restoring the spiritual vitality of the nation.
But unfortunately, each cycle of decay led the nation deeper and deeper into the quagmire of sin. Finally they got in so deep there was no getting out.
Does all of this sound familiar? A nation is honored and preserved through godly people. God’s house, the church, is honored and preserved through godly people. The surest way to destroy a place of worship or a nation is to compromise the character required of godly people. Ungodly people promote ungodly agendas, whether in church, business, or government.
The best way to preserve God’s church is to promote godly character and standards of living among God’s people. The surest way to destroy God’s house is to ignore the lack of godliness or even to encourage ungodliness. So it was with ancient kings, and so it is today.
As you read 2 Chronicles, note the signs that led to Judah’s demise. Then commit yourself to being the person God wants you to be. God has placed many of us in positions of leadership – in our homes, businesses, small groups, even our circle of friends. Second Chronicles offers powerful lessons about how we can influence others to be followers of God rather than be influenced to fall away from him.” (Touch Point Bible)
Yes, Lord! 2 Chronicles contains one of my favorite stories in the bible; it highlights the faithfulness and trust that a king named Jehoshaphat has for the Lord. In the story you will learn the context of one of the most repeated scriptures in the bible. I can't wait to share it with you all.
Lord, thank you for your Word today! As we read 2 Chronicles, help us be the men and women you want us to be. Help us to be influencers and encouragers of your Word…moving people closer to you. Through our words and actions, help us create a desire in people to want to know you. We love you!
May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace.” (Numbers 6:24-26)
….AND MAY WE ALL PRACTICE THIS WITH ONE ANOTHER.
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