2 Chronicles
Spiritual Inconsistency
Reading the human heart remains an elusive enterprise. While God knows each of us better than we know ourselves, we cannot truly understand any other human being except through what they say and do. Perhaps this sheds light on some pattern of behavior we have witnessed in the church. Some people seem so strong spiritually at one…
Read MoreSecond Hand Faith
Joash came to the throne at the tender age of seven, reigning for forty years (2 Chr. 24:1). Athaliah’s takeover had left Judah in spiritual shambles and its leadership adrift. However, Jehoiada the priest adroitly managed the situation, restoring order from the chaos as Joash’s guide during those early years.
Read MoreThe Seven Signs of Spiritual Zeal
Spiritual zeal may be easier to describe than it is to define. It captures the idea of fervent passion, couples passion with purposeful devotion, infuses devotion with energetic enthusiasm, and focuses that enthusiasm with spiritual intensity on God and His will. In brief, it takes God’s will to heart so much that it cannot but…
Read MoreDoing Good in Evil Days
Every once in a while I grow melancholy reflecting on the moral decay of the nation and the world as a whole. It hurts to see how much immorality has become acceptable in mainstream society and just how bold some have become in flaunting their wickedness. But the problem with all such pondering lies in…
Read MoreTo No One’s Sorrow
No one, to my knowledge, enjoys funerals. Yet, they serve an important role in society and in personal mourning. As a preacher, I have attended and officiated at a great number of funerals, including many wonderful people it has been my privilege to know. But the fear that sometimes creeps in is the necessity of…
Read MoreBeyond Your Control
No matter how well you prepare, no matter how much you know, no matter how many friends you have, and no matter where you may be, there will come a time in your life when a situation arises about which you can do nothing. It is one of the most frustrating feelings in the world.…
Read MoreJudging Righteously
Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, received an important reminder when returning from battle where he had escaped with his life only due to the LORD’s providence. He had allied himself with an ungodly man leading an ungodly nation; therefore, despite their kinship, the LORD’s wrath was upon him. His other good qualities preserved him, but his…
Read MoreAny Ol’ Lie Will Do
An internet meme I came across recently said, “Most people don’t really want the truth. They just want constant reassurance that what they believe is the truth.” This applies to so many circumstances it remains impossible to offer anything but a small sampling. After all, most of us recognize the conundrum offered by the classic…
Read MoreThe Joy of Pleasing God
Asa had provided a strong foundation for his son and successor. Despite failing in patience and dedication in his latter years, Asa had strengthened Judah’s position both politically and spiritually. After Asa died, Jehoshaphat took the throne and built upon the positive policies of his father (2 Chr. 17:1-2). In spiritual matters especially, Jehoshaphat “walked…
Read MoreA Cycle of Selfishness
Impatience lies at the root of many spiritual problems. Some issue comes to the fore, and it seems like people readily accept any solution proffered. This tendency leads to the implementation of programs and policies before a thorough analysis, often in the face of those who encourage caution, restraint, and greater study. The complaint “we…
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