If anyone knows Melissa…

2 Chronicles 14:1–16:14; Romans 9:1-24; Psalm 19:1-14; Proverbs 20:1

Abijah Slept with His Fathers, Asa His Son Reigned in His Stead
So Abijah slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the city of David: and Asa his son reigned in his stead. In his days the land was quiet ten years. – 2 Chronicles 14:1

King Asa Did that Which was Good and Right in the Eyes of the LORD
And Asa did that which was good and right in the eyes of the LORD his God: for he took away the altars of the strange gods, and the high places, and brake down the images, and cut down the groves: and commanded Judah to seek the LORD God of their fathers, and to do the law and the commandment. Also he took away out of all the cities of Judah the high places and the images: and the kingdom was quiet before him. And he built fenced cities in Judah: for the land had rest, and he had no war in those years; because the LORD had given him rest. – 2 Chronicles 14:2-6

LORD, It is Nothing with Thee to Help
And there came out against them Zerah the Ethiopian with an host of a thousand thousand, and three hundred chariots; and came unto Mareshah. Then Asa went out against him, and they set the battle in array in the valley of Zephathah at Mareshah.And Asa cried unto the LORD his God, and said, LORD, it is nothing with thee to help, whether with many, or with them that have no power: help us, O LORD our God; for we rest on thee, and in thy name we go against this multitude. O LORD, thou art our God; let not man prevail against thee. – 2 Chronicles 14:9-11

The LORD is With You, While Ye Be with Him
And the Spirit of God came upon Azariah the son of Oded: and he went out to meet Asa, and said unto him, Hear ye me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin; The LORD is with you, while ye be with him; and if ye seek him, he will be found of you; but if ye forsake him, he will forsake you. Now for a long season Israel hath been without the true God, and without a teaching priest, and without law. But when they in their trouble did turn unto the LORD God of Israel, and sought him, he was found of them. And in those times there was no peace to him that went out, nor to him that came in, but great vexations were upon all the inhabitants of the countries. And nation was destroyed of nation, and city of city: for God did vex them with all adversity. Be ye strong therefore, and let not your hands be weak: for your work shall be rewarded. – 2 Chronicles 15:1-7

King Asa Calls on the King of Syria
In the six and thirtieth year of the reign of Asa Baasha king of Israel came up against Judah, and built Ramah, to the intent that he might let none go out or come in to Asa king of Judah. Then Asa brought out silver and gold out of the treasures of the house of the LORD and of the king’s house, and sent to Ben-hadad king of Syria, that dwelt at Damascus, saying, There is a league between me and thee, as there was between my father and thy father: behold, I have sent thee silver and gold; go, break thy league with Baasha king of Israel, that he may depart from me. – 2 Chronicles 16:1-3

The King of Syria Helps King Asa
And Ben-hadad hearkened unto king Asa, and sent the captains of his armies against the cities of Israel; and they smote Ijon, and Dan, and Abel-maim, and all the store cities of Naphtali. And it came to pass, when Baasha heard it, that he left off building of Ramah, and let his work cease. Then Asa the king took all Judah; and they carried away the stones of Ramah, and the timber thereof, wherewith Baasha was building; and he built therewith Geba and Mizpah. – 2 Chronicles 16:4-6

Because Thou Hast Relied on the King of Syria, and not Relied on the LORD
And at that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah, and said unto him, Because thou hast relied on the king of Syria, and not relied on the LORD thy God, therefore is the host of the king of Syria escaped out of thine hand. Were not the Ethiopians and the Lubims a huge host, with very many chariots and horsemen? yet, because thou didst rely on the LORD, he delivered them into thine hand. For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars. Then Asa was wroth with the seer, and put him in a prison house; for he was in a rage with him because of this thing. And Asa oppressed some of the people the same time. – 2 Chronicles 16:7-10

King Asa Sought Not to the LORD, but to the Physicians
And Asa in the thirty and ninth year of his reign was diseased in his feet, until his disease was exceeding great: yet in his disease he sought not to the LORD, but to the physicians. – 2 Chronicles 16:12

Such important lessons in our reading in 2 Chronicles today. Seek the Lord, and He shall be found. He promises that He will be with you while you are with Him. Seek men and the things of this world and suffer the consequences you have allowed into your life.

Lord, help me remember this lesson and Your promises as I go forth today and in the days ahead. Help me to seek You and You alone every step of the way. I ask this in the precious and holy name of Jesus! Amen.

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Children of the Promise are Counted for the Seed
Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel: neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed. For this is the word of promise, At this time will I come, and Sarah shall have a son. And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac; (for the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;) it was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger. As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated. 14 What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy. – Romans 9:6-16

The Heavens Declare the Glory of God
The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handiwork. – Psalm 19:1

Whosoever is Deceived Thereby is Not Wise
Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise. – Proverbs 20:1

2 Chronicles 6:12–8:10; Romans 7:14–8:8; Psalm 18:1-15; Proverbs 19:24-25

Heaven and the Heaven of Heavens Cannot Contain Thee
But will God in very deed dwell with men on the earth? Behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house which I have built! – 2 Chronicles‬ ‭6:18‬

The Glory of the LORD Filled the House
Now when Solomon had made an end of praying, the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the LORD filled the house. And the priests could not enter into the house of the LORD, because the glory of the LORD had filled the LORD’s house. And when all the children of Israel saw how the fire came down, and the glory of the LORD upon the house, they bowed themselves with their faces to the ground upon the pavement, and worshipped, and praised the LORD, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever. – 2 Chronicles 7:1-3

Who Shall Deliver Me from the Body of This Death?
For we know that the law is spiritual: but I [Paul] am carnal, sold under sin. For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: but I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin. – Romans 7:14-25

No Condemnation to Them Which are in Christ Jesus
There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. – Romans 8:1-8

The LORD is My Rock
I will love thee, O LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. – Psalm 18:1-2

Reprove One that Hath Understanding and He will Understand Knowledge
Smite a scorner, and the simple will beware: and reprove one that hath understanding, and he will understand knowledge. – Proverbs 19:25

Strike a scoffer [for refusing to learn], and the naïve may [be warned and] become prudent; Reprimand one who has understanding and a teachable spirit, and he will gain knowledge and insight. – Proverbs 19:25 AMP

2 Chronicles 4:1–6:11; Romans 7:1-13; Psalm 17:1-15; Proverbs 19:22-23

The Priests Could Not Stand to Minister by Reason of the Cloud
And it came to pass, when the priests were come out of the holy place: (for all the priests that were present were sanctified, and did not then wait by course: also the Levites which were the singers, all of them of Asaph, of Heman, of Jeduthun, with their sons and their brethren, being arrayed in white linen, having cymbals and psalteries and harps, stood at the east end of the altar, and with them an hundred and twenty priests sounding with trumpets:) it came even to pass, as the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the LORD; and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of musick, and praised the LORD, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: that then the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of the LORD; so that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of God. – 2 Chronicles 5:11-14

I love 2 Chronicles 5:14. Why couldn’t the priests stand? The Bible tells us…for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of God.

An House of Habitation
Then said Solomon, The LORD hath said that he would dwell in the thick darkness. But I have built an house of habitation for thee, and a place for thy dwelling for ever. And the king turned his face, and blessed the whole congregation of Israel: and all the congregation of Israel stood. And he said, Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, who hath with his hands fulfilled that which he spake with his mouth to my father David – 2 Chronicles 6:1-4

I Had Not Known Sin, but By the Law
What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet. But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead. – Romans 7:7-8

Wherefore the Law is Holy
Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good. Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful. – Romans 7:12-13

Thou Hast Proved My Heart
Hear the right, O LORD, attend unto my cry, give ear unto my prayer, that goeth not out of feigned lips. Let my sentence come forth from thy presence; let thine eyes behold the things that are equal. Thou hast proved mine heart; thou hast visited me in the night; thou hast tried me, and shalt find nothing; I am purposed that my mouth shall not transgress. – Psalm 17:1-3

The Fear of the LORD Tendeth to Life
The fear of the LORD tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil. – Proverbs 19:23

There are some great promises in this verse for those that fear the Lord. Here are three –

The fear of the Lord tendeth to life. Tendeth means – to watch over; take care of as a caretaker; cultivate; foster.

If you fear the Lord, you will be satisfied.

If you fear the Lord, you will not be visited with evil.

 

1 Chronicles 28:1–29:30 Romans 5:6-21 Psalm 15:1-5 Proverbs 19:18-19

With Perfect Heart They Offered Willingly to the LORD
Then the people rejoiced, for that they offered willingly, because with perfect heart they offered willingly to the LORD: and David the king also rejoiced with great joy. Wherefore David blessed the LORD before all the congregation: and David said, Blessed be thou, LORD God of Israel our father, for ever and ever. Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all. Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all. Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name. But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee. For we are strangers before thee, and sojourners, as were all our fathers: our days on the earth are as a shadow, and there is none abiding. – 1 Chronicles 29:9-15

It is true that if you give willingly to the Lord, you will rejoice.

While We Were Yet Sinners, Christ Died for Us
But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement. – Romans 5:8-11

Thank You, Father, for sending Your Son to die for me. Thank You, Jesus, for giving Yourself willingly.

LORD, Who Shall Abide in Thy Tabernacle?
LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill? He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart. He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour. In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth them that fear the LORD. He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not. He that putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth these things shall never be moved. – Psalm 15:1-5

The psalmist asks, Lord, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? And then he answers:

He who walks with integrity
He who walks with strength of character
He who walks in line with the will and Word of God
He who speaks the truth because Truth is in his heart
He who doesn’t slander
He who doesn’t do evil to his neighbor
He who doesn’t take up a reproach against his friend
He who despises evil and evil people
He who honors those that fear the Lord
He who worships in reverence and wonder
He who keeps his word even if it is to his own disadvantage
He who doesn’t charge his brothers interest for helping with a need
He who doesn’t take a bribe to harm the innocent

The psalmist says the person that does these things – will abide because this person will NEVER be moved.

A Man of Great Wrath Shall Suffer Punishment
A man of great wrath shall suffer punishment: for if thou deliver him, yet thou must do it again. – Proverbs 19:19

A man of great anger will bear the penalty [for his quick temper and lack of self-control]; For if you rescue him [and do not let him learn from the consequences of his action], you will only have to rescue him over and over again. – Proverbs 19:19 AMP

1 Chronicles 26:12–27:34 Romans 4:13–5:5 Psalm 14:1-7 Proverbs 19:17

The LORD Looked Down from Heaven
The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God. – Psalm 14:2

And Hushai the Archite was the King’s Companion
– And over the king’s treasures was Azmaveth the son of Adiel: and over the storehouses in the fields, in the cities, and in the villages, and in the castles, was Jehonathan the son of Uzziah:
– and over them that did the work of the field for tillage of the ground was Ezri the son of Chelub:
– and over the vineyards was Shimei the Ramathite: over the increase of the vineyards for the wine cellars was Zabdi the Shiphmite:
– and over the olive trees and the sycamore trees that were in the low plains was Baal-hanan the Gederite: and over the cellars of oil was Joash:
– and over the herds that fed in Sharon was Shitrai the Sharonite: and over the herds that were in the valleys was Shaphat the son of Adlai:
– over the camels also was Obil the Ishmaelite: and over the asses was Jehdeiah the Meronothite:
– and over the flocks was Jaziz the Hagerite. All these were the rulers of the substance which was king David’s.
– Also Jonathan David’s uncle was a counsellor, a wise man, and a scribe: and Jehiel the son of Hachmoni was with the king’s sons:
– and Ahithophel was the king’s counsellor: and Hushai the Archite was the king’s companion:
– and after Ahithophel was Jehoiada the son of Benaiah, and Abiathar: and the general of the king’s army was Joab. 
– 1 Chronicles 27:25-34

I found it interesting that God had recorded in His Word not only the details of assignments but also who was assigned to each task for those that stood with king David. There were so many ways to serve. Some were over the gardens, some over vineyards, some over cattle, some over camels, some over people. Some were counselors, some were warriors, and at least one was a friend. If you are blessed to have been divinely assigned to stand alongside someone, I believe God is writing it down the detail in His chronicles just as He did of these.

But For Us Also
Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; but for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification. – Romans 4:23-25

But We Glory in Tribulations Also
And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope: and hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. – Romans 5:3-5

He that Hath Pity Upon the Poor
He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again. – Proverbs 19:17