July 24: The Consequences of Ruler-ship, for Good or Ill

by Josh Moody Today’s Bible Reading: 2 Chronicles 30-33, Psalm 149, Luke 12:38-48, 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13 2 Chronicles 30-33: By the end of these chapters we feel like asking, “How long, O Lord?” (Psalm 13). But to begin with, we read more of the good king Hezekiah. He institutes a Passover feast (2 Chron. 30). He sends letters throughout the country calling on God’s people to repent and celebrate the Passover (30:1). Some laugh at his proclamation, but many come to the feast (30:10-13). The worship of God is put in order, with provision made for the priests so they could perform their duties, and “there was great joy in Jerusalem” (30:26). Let us gather together in rejoicing as we come before God, humbly, with repentance, finding him to be the delight of our lives and the joy of all nations. Then comes the infamous invasion of Sennacherib (32:1). Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah prayed and “cried to heaven,” and God rescued his people (32:20-21). Despite all this, however, surveying his great achievements, Hezekiah became proud (32:25). It is possible to turn even the greatest of achievements to dust through the human poison of pride. Remember that all comes from God and is his doing, not ours. Manasseh is an evil king (33:2). He is taken to Babylon (33:11). But at least—I suppose—he repents when he is there, and is brought back to Jerusalem (33:12-13). Thereafter, he removes the foreign gods and gets rid of the idols (33:15). Amon’s reign is not even mitigated by his father’s almost-too-late repentance. “He did not humble himself before the LORD” (33:23) and, as so often when the ruler is selfish and evil, there is a conspiracy against him, and he is actually put to death (33:24). When an evil king arises, the people go into hiding. God grant us to be ruled by a king whose rule is peace, and who encourages a culture and an environment where the gospel may flourish. Thank God that we have such a King Jesus! And let us pray that our human leaders are faithful to God. To receive God Centered Bible devotionals directly in your inbox, sign up here.]]>