from bad to worse

Posted on November 29, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

IMG_0249Job 2

Job’s victory over his circumstances (and the devil behind them) is seen in the fact that God still boasts of his integrity as he did before calamity struck.  So, Satan pleads for more control.  The LORD gives him authority to touch Job’s body with painful sores.  That was only part of the strategy.  The other part is the reaction that Job would have to endure of his wife and his “friends.”  Most of the story is a description of the reactions of people around Job to the unfairness of Job’s problems compared to his apparent sinlessness.  Their conclusion was that Job must have secretly done something to cause his problems.  We know, however, that it was not like that. 

The seven days of mourning in silence and the dust on the heads are both signs that Job’s friends expected him to die (return to the dust).  Anyone who has ever sat with a friend who is dying of a terminal illness knows how they felt.  It is a difficult and painful thing to see a friend deteriorate before your eyes. Job was not the only one being tested.

When things went from bad to worse for Job, it was because Satan was losing.  Job was a hero of faith because he refused to accept what everybody else believed.  He clung to his relationship with God as an anchor.

LORD, help us to forge such a deep relationship with you that though the world turn against us, we can stay true.

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catastrophe

Posted on November 28, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

First Sem 2008 033Job 1

A major test of a person’s character comes with catastrophe.  It brings out the worst in some people, the best in others.  Job is one of those people whose pure hearts shines through when struck by darkness all around.  His life literally falls apart around him, and he is grieved deeply by it.  But his relationship with the LORD remains.  For most, God is immediately to blame when disaster strikes.  Job sees the disaster as another reason to worship.  His trust in the LORD remains, even when things happen that cannot be explained.  Behind the scenes there is a reason for the destruction and death.  Job does not know that reason.  But he still chooses to trust the LORD.

LORD, make us strong in our relationship with you, so that if the times of testing come, we will be found faithful.

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still options

Posted on November 27, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

baptism 0712 Kings 25:22-30

Gedaliah’s assassination leads the Babylonians to release Jehoiachin from prison, and he stays in Babylon for the rest of his life.  He is a thin thread of hope that one day there will be a monarchy again in Jerusalem.  The story of the kings comes to an end.  What God has in store for his people now is another king, who will come centuries later.  Even when the world gives us its worst, and we fail miserably, God still has options. There is a throne in heaven, and the one on it is never wringing his hands in despair.

LORD, when the worst happens, we will still trust you.

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God does not need me

Posted on November 26, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

037_372 Kings 24:18-25:21

   “For because of the anger of the LORD it came to the point in Jerusalem and Judah that he cast them out from his presence.”
    (2 Kings 24:20 ESV)

Judah had presumed upon the LORD’s favor too often and for too long.  It was time for the consequences of their rebellion to visit them.  God had an interest in preserving Judah because of his plan to save the world through Jesus.  But he is God.  He does not need anyone.  He does not need you or me.  We should think about that the next time we are tempted to transgress his will.  God is real, and his anger is not to be trifled with. Just ask Zedekiah.

LORD, we surrender to your sovereignty. We thank you for your preservation by grace.  Give us wisdom not to take it for granted.

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whatever happens

Posted on November 25, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

IMG_02402 Kings 23:31-24:17

The end of Judah came not with an explosive battle, but with a series of failures.  There were attacks on all sides, and nothing that anyone could do.  The great city that was Jerusalem became a collection of poor people ruled by the uncle of the king.  All that was great about Jerusalem was carried away to another land.  Where was God.  We ask questions like that in times like that.  The author of 2 Kings lets us know that God is not only present – but these things were happening at his word.  Could it be that sometimes bad things happen because our God is a judge as well as a Savior?  No matter how good we might think we are, there is always evil among us, and enough within us, to justify calamity.  The LORD gave, the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the name of the LORD.

LORD, no matter what happens, you are our God. We submit to your rule, whatever happens to us.

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cleaning up

Posted on November 24, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

SDC138492 Kings 23:1-30

Of all the reforms of the kings, none was more comprehensive than that of Josiah.  Reading through the list, one gets an idea how syncretistic Judah had become.  Every aspect of their society had been permeated by paganism.  Reading and hearing the word of God had this effect on the king and his leaders: it showed them for who they had been.  They became aware of how corrupt and offensive to the LORD their society was.  What followed was a long campaign to clean up. They covenanted to do this – not because they had hopes of being spared from God’s wrath, but because they realized that they deserved it. 

LORD, open your word to us. Show us who we really are in your sight, and give us the courage of Josiah to do something about it.

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a right relationship with God

Posted on November 23, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

F10000132 Kings 22

Josiah’s deep repentance for what his ancestors had done was not enough to reverse the curse the nation had put upon itself.  But it was enough to ensure that he would be gathered to his fathers (buried) in peace.  His reforms would be undone by later generations, but his relationship with the LORD remained intact.  A person’s fate at death is sealed by his or her actions and attitudes in life.  When Christ returns, a resurrection to eternal life awaits those who have a right standing with God.  Eternal destruction awaits those who do not.

LORD, above all else, may we keep a right relationship with you.

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business as usual

Posted on November 22, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

gold-crown-ring2 Kings 21

Two evil kings came after Hezekiah, and proceeded to undo all his good work, and send Judah closer to judgment.  The pressure to conform to the idolatry of the nations around them must have been great.  There is no other way to explain how these kings could have ignored the fact that the northern kingdom (Israel) had already been taken into exile by Assyria.  Time was running out for the southern kingdom as well.  If only these kings would have realized that business as usual was killing them.

LORD, revive us. Keep us from business as usual, because that is keeping us from you.

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thinking about the future

Posted on November 21, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

02 Kings 20

If good king Hezekiah can be faulted with anything, it is this: He did not think about the future enough.  He wanted healing, prayed for it, and got it.  But when the Babylonian envoys came, he was not careful enough with them. He let them see all his treasuries.  Isaiah warned that someday all those treasuries would be confiscated by Babylon.  Even some of Hezekiah’s sons would be carried into exile.  Hezekiah said that it would be OK as long as there was peace in his lifetime.  We need to pray and plan for the future.  It needs to belong to God as well as the present.

LORD, give us eyes to see and knees to pray for the future.

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death while worshipping

Posted on November 20, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

3242_1050720749078_1257512658_30122179_3753846_n2 Kings 19

The prophet Isaiah sends word to Hezekiah that his prayers had been answered. Assyriah would not take Jerusalem.  The angel of the LORD struck down 185,000 Assyrian soldiers. and Sennacherib went home.  His own sons would put him to death while he was worshipping his god – Nisroch.  Destruction is the fate of all who dare come against the LORD’s anointed.

LORD, teach us to pray, and not to give up.

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