“And Hezekiah and all the people rejoiced because God had provided for the people, for the thing came about suddenly.” (2 Chronicles 29:36 ESV). When King Hezekiah began to reign in Judah, the temple had been neglected, worship had ceased, and the nation had grown spiritually cold. But in the first month of his reign,
Chapter: 29
A CHILD LEFT TO HIMSELF
“The rod and reproof give wisdom, but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother… Discipline your son, and he will give you rest; he will give delight to your heart” (Proverbs 29:15, 17 ESV). In our reading from the book of Proverbs today, Solomon directs our attention to the stewardship of parenting.
DO YOU HAVE SELF-CONTROL?
“A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back.” (Proverbs 29:11 ESV). Have you heard someone make excuses about the way they lose their temper? They blame it on a family trait or a situation, but they don’t own the problem. In the book of Proverbs, the words
SCOFFER OR SENSIBLE?
“Scoffers set a city aflame, but the wise turn away wrath” (Proverbs 29:8 ESV). A timely word from the book of Proverbs for today. For it highlights the difference between the scoffer and the wise. The scoffer is one who mocks, ridicules, or scorns a person or an idea. When they encounter disunity and disagreement
WHEN WILL WE HAVE A JUST KING?
“By justice a king builds up the land, but he who exacts gifts tears it down” (Proverbs 29:4 ESV). This proverb of Solomon speaks of two types of kings, one who builds up and one who tears down. The one who builds up is rare. For he leads by “justice.” He leads with discretion and
ARE YOU SEEKING AND PRAYING FOR SHALOM IN YOUR CITY?
“But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare” (Jeremiah 29:7 ESV). Jeremiah told those who had been exiled to Babylon to “seek the welfare” of that city. In the original Hebrew, Jeremiah
LET US DECLARE EVERYTHING GOD COMMANDS
“So Moses told the people of Israel everything just as the Lord had commanded Moses” (Numbers 29:40 ESV). Moses was a faithful servant to the Lord. He passed along “everything” that the Lord had commanded him to say to the children of Israel. He did not add to, nor subtract from, nor water down the
REMEMBERING WHAT GOD HAS DONE
“You must present these offerings to the Lord at your annual festivals” (Numbers 29:39 NLT). Reading through all the instructions concerning offerings and festivals in the Old Testament is pretty overwhelming. It seems impossible to keep up with them all. Yet, God was teaching His people to remember Him and what He had done for
‘“My father has made trouble for us all!” Jonathan exclaimed. “A command like that only hurts us”‘ (1 Samuel 29:14 NLT).
KING SAUL, A STUDY IN LEADERSHIP FAILURE It’s heart-breaking to read the stories about King Saul, Israel’s first king. Although he reigned for 40 years, his leadership style was fraught with short-sighted and ill-conceived tactics, blustering, macho-inspired dictates, people-pleasing priorities, and most of all – a failure to seek God first in all things. Even
“You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:13 HCSB).
DO YOUR PRAYERS FIND THEIR WAY TO THE LORD? The prophet Jeremiah sent a letter of hope to the Jewish exiles in Babylon. He gave them this message from the Lord, assuring them that the Lord had not forsaken them, nor had He stopped hearing their prayers. If only they would seek Him with all