Read the Bible in One Year!

Judah's Captivity  Scripture April 30—2 Chronicles 33-36: Captivity by Babylon Observation Manasseh—Judah's longest reigning king—is also its wickedest. He seals the nation's fate by re-establishing Baal worship and turning the house of God into a pagan temple. By the time his grandson Josiah attempts to right the wrongs through godly reforms, it is too late to avert (though not to delay) Judah's fast-approaching doom. The end comes swiftly during the reign of Zedekiah, as Babylon mercilessly slaughters and pillages the nation, burns the temple, destroys the walls, and takes the survivors back to Babylon, where they languish for seventy years. But the book closes on a note of hope. As the exile draws to a close and Persia replaces Babylon in world dominance, Persia's king (Cyrus) makes an amazing statement "...the Lord God of heaven...has instructed me to build him a Temple in Jerusalem, in the land of Judah" (36:23). Application ...

King Hezekiah Restores Pure Worship! Scripture April 29—2 Chronicles 29-32: Commitment of Hezekiah Observation The Chronicler records not a word about the Assyrian assault and dispersion of Israel at this point—though they profoundly affect Hezekiah's life and rule in Judah. Inheriting a disheartened country, Hezekiah nevertheless puts first things first. In the first month of his administration, he reopens and repairs the house of God, restores the long-neglected temple worship and Passover celebration, and declares war on idol worship and pagan practices. When the Assyrian king Sennacherib besieges Jerusalem, the situation looks hopeless. But going to his knees, Hezekiah discovers that his great God specializes in great miracles. Application Have you ever tried to do the right thing, only to have it turn out all wrong? You help a friend who has a financial need and your check bounces. You stop to assist a motorist in distress and get your purse stolen in...

In Despair, be like King David, Pray to God! Weekly Devotional April 28— Psalm 40 : Looking Up from Down Under Reflection Your walk through Chronicles has continued with the reign of Solomon, the construction of the temple, the folly of Rehoboam and Abijah, the renaissance of Asa and Jehoshaphat, and more wicked and righteous rulers until the unholy ways of King Ahaz send Judah staggering spiritually. It easy to be overwhelmed by the foolish and sinful rebellion of God's people. But it's even easier to be brought low by our own sinfulness, or by difficult circumstances and dark times. But that's when we need to turn to the Lord in faith and hope, as David reminds us in Psalm 40, which provides our moment of refreshing worship this week. Be Encouraged! Think about it: "95 percent of all adults surveyed readily admit having occasional times of depression; the other 5 percent were too depressed to respond to the survey," Does that humoro...

Uzziah Violates Priests Office Scripture April 27—2 Chronicles 26-28: Correction Under Uzziah and Jotham Observation Uzziah assumes the throne of Judah at age sixteen. His fifty-two-year reign is marked by mighty military and agricultural achievements. Sadly, his life ends on a bitter note: In proud arrogance he intrudes into the priest's office—and so is excluded from the temple for the rest of his life. His son Jotham continues in the ways of God. But the reintroduction of Baal and Moloch worship under Ahaz sends the nation into a downward spiritual spiral from which it will never fully recover. Application Does God have a say in every area of your life? Before you answer too quickly, run through a mental checklist of your daily activities; sleep, meals, leisure time, family life, dating life, study habits, church duties, personal relationships physical fitness. Are God's "fingerprints" visible in each of these areas? God considers ev...

Joash a Righteous Ruler Scripture April 26—2 Chronicles 21-25: Correction Under Joash Observation Had it not been for God's promise to David centuries before, Jehoram's reign might have marked the end of the Davidic dynasty. Blessed with godly parents, Jehoram chooses instead to follow the pagan practices of his wife Athaliah (daughter of Ahab and Jezebel). In only eight years Jehoram manages to undo most of the godly reforms for which his father and grandfather labored so zealously. But even Jehoram's wickedness is surpassed by that of the cruel queen-mother Athaliah, who murders her own grandchildren and sets herself up as monarch over Judah. In a thrilling story of danger and suspense, her one surviving grandchild Joash emerges to preserve the royal line of David—the line that eventually leads to Jesus Christ! Application There's a sobering one-verse commentary on the death of wicked Queen Athaliah: "So all the people of the land rejoic...

God is looking for People like Jehoshaphat! Scripture April 25—2 Chronicles 17-20: Correction Under Jehoshaphat Observation Godly King Jehoshaphat's reign over Judah is chronicled rather thoroughly—and with good reason. For Jehoshaphat knows that the key to spiritual revival in the land of God is renewed commitment to the law of God. He institutes a nationwide Bible reading program, using as teachers the princes, Levites, and priests. The people's response is overwhelming as they shower upon their king gifts of love and gratitude. But his godly reign is nearly cut short by a foolish alliance with Ahab, and later by a coalition of forces from Moab and Ammon. Application Perhaps when you came to today's Scripture reading, Jehoshaphat was little more than a funny-sounding name to you. But his life is well worth studying, for he a perfect example of the kind of person for whom God searches (16:9) . Jehoshaphat was noteworthy in the way he walked—n...

Ethiopian Army that Asa Defeated! Scripture April 24—2 Chronicles 13-16: Correction Under Asa Observation Rehoboam's son Abijah "was as great a sinner as his father was" (1 Kings 15:3) . And yet he was God's instrument of judgment upon an even more wicked king—Jeroboam in the North. In a titanic struggle involving more than a million fighting men, Israel suffers a devastating defeat; over half of her army is destroyed. Abijah's three-year reign is followed by a decade of peace. His son Asa follows in the military (but not the spiritual) footsteps of his father by defeating Ethiopia. But Asa's greatest contribution comes not on the battlefield but in the sanctuary, as he purges the nation of idols and renews the altar of the Lord. Application It is difficult to believe that the Asa of chapter 14 and the Asa of chapter 16 are one and the same person or is it? Early in his reign Asa "was careful to obey the Lord his God" (...

A Divided Kingdom Scripture April 23—2 Chronicles 10-12: Rehoboam's Corrupted Reign Observation Solomon's vast wealth came from many sources: tribute from neighboring nations, trade with foreign powers, taxation of his own people. Those heavy taxes led to civil unrest that, after Solomon's death, erupted into full-scale civil war. The result was open hostility between the north and south, and the formation of two distinct national entities: Israel (ten northern tribes ruled by Jeroboam) and Judah (two southern tribes ruled by Rehoboam). It was a divided kingdom. Application When it comes to dieting, some people will go to great lengths to maintain their great widths. When it comes to hard work, many will stop at nothing. And when it comes to personal revival, some use mighty thin thread to mend their ways. Why? Because it is easier—and less painful—to opt for halfhearted compromise than to pay the price of wholehearted commitment to God. Reho...

Solomon's Splendors Scripture April 22—2 Chronicles 6-9: Solomon's Worship and Wealth Observation The temple constructed now becomes the temple consecrated as Solomon inaugurates the worship services with a moving prayer of dedication. In it he commits himself and the nation to a faithful observance of God's laws. By night God appears to Solomon to make a conditional covenant with him: If he will walk in the steps of his father David, God will establish Solomon's dynasty forever. Application Take two minutes to think about this sentence, then complete it: "The most important thing I can do today to help reverse the spiritual decline in my nation is..."—Pray! Ours is a society marked by activism—interest groups lobbying and laboring for their particular point of view. And perhaps the first response you thought of was to join a righteous cause. But today's reading suggests an even more important first step: to start with a rig...

Have a Prayerful Life like King David! Weekly Devotional April 21— Psalm 39 : Our Brief Life Reflection The books of Chronicles provide a divine perspective on the lives of David and Solomon. Theirs were full lives of faith and of failure. But a truth we can glimpse from their lives—as well as from Psalm 39—is the importance of living each day fully for the Lord, as if it were our last. Today, stop and rest for a while in this psalm of David, in which he speaks openly and frankly to God about his life, acknowledging it as but a breath or a shadow. Learn a lesson from his prayer, and make it your own. Make the Most of Life! "Live each day as if it were your last." If it helps us to remember, perhaps it would it be a good idea to tape this slogan on the ceiling of our room directly over the bed? The phrase will be the first thing w e see every day, and the last thing we read every night. David pens a similar sentiment in Psalm 39, acknowledgi...

Solomon's Temple 2 Chronicles Introduction 2 Chronicles spans Israel's history from its highest peak to its lowest ebb—from Solomon's reign to the Babylonian exile. First comes the building of the magnificent temple in Jerusalem. Following years of world power and world renown, Solomon dies and the spiritual, moral, and military fortunes of the nation rise and fall with the quality of leadership on the throne. The few righteous rulers cannot stop the nation's downward slide, and God's judgment ultimately falls: invasion, defeat, captivity... Scripture April 20—2 Chronicles 1-5: Solomon's Temple Observation Today's passage can be easily summarized by reading just the first verses of chapters 1, 2, 3, and 5 and they are as listed: Solomon was now the undisputed ruler of Israel Solomon now decided to build a temple for the Lord The actual construction of the Temple began So the Temple was finally finished Hidden in those ve...

King David's Successor — King Solomon! Scripture April 19—1 Chronicles 28-29: David's Kingdom Passed On to Solomon Observation Today's reading forms a fitting conclusion to the life of David, for here he is portrayed in all his wisdom and humility as David the counselor, encourager, exhorter, and worshiper. In sharp contrast to the bitter in-fighting and civil unrest that characterized David's ascension to the throne, Solomon's ascension is attended by national worship and rejoicing. Even David's death cannot dampen the mood of optimism and thanksgiving the nation feels for the godly leadership they enjoy. The crowning epitaph of David's life is that "He died at an old age, wealthy and honored" (29:28) . Application The saddest contradiction to the Christian life is all too often the average Christian funeral. While Bereavement is a necessary part of any loved one's passing, the Christian has cause for rejoicing w...

King David Planning a House for God Scripture April 18—1 Chronicles 22-27: David's Organized a House for God! Observation Though David's desire to build a house for God must wait, nothing keeps him from preparing for it. He chooses a most appropriate site (the threshing floor of Ornan), gathers the building materials, charges his son Solomon with the duty of finishing the task, and enlists the support of all the key men in Israel. Then he outlines the twenty-four orders of priests, twenty-four divisions of singers and musicians, gatekeepers, treasurers, and other officeholders who will oversee the military and civil affairs of the nation in its new place of corporate worship. Application The question is what are we doing today to help our children accomplish great things for God tomorrow? We should all be concerned about the future because we will have to spend the rest of our lives there—one of two places. David is a marvelous example of a farsigh...

Scripture April 17—1 Chronicles 17-21: David's Influence and Kingdom Expansion Observation While David enjoys a palace of cedar, the ark of God resides in a mere tent—a fact that prompts David to contemplate a monumental building project. Even the prophet Nathan encourages David in his God-honoring ambition. But God had other plans; it would not be for David to build the Temple. Nevertheless, God gives David a heart-warming promise of an ongoing dynasty and eternal kingdom for his descendants. David, the mighty man of war, must leave the fulfillment of his dream to his son Solomon and concentrate on the business of enlarging the kingdom God has entrusted to him. Application Consider the following list of contrasts taken from the lives of a father and son: David and Solomon. David was a man of war—(David's life in chapters 18-20 reads like a chapter from World War II. In the space...

The City of Peace Scripture April 16—1 Chronicles 10-16: David's Throne and Capital Established Observation Think of 1 Chronicles as a sort of "divine commentary" on the book of 2 Samuel, a second volume covering the action-packed life of King David. With the passing of Saul, the new shepherd-king assumes the throne and promptly establishes his new capital at Jerusalem, "city of peace," the place around which virtually the entire history of the nation will revolve. Along with his new capital, David selects a corps of mighty men who will support him during his reign. David next attempts to return the ark of God to its proper place—a task which proves more difficult than anticipated! But when at last the ark safely resides in Jerusalem, David leads the nation in a celebration of praise. Application No man is an island and very few are peninsulas! It is difficult and...

1 Chronicles Introduction The two books of Chronicles are priestly recollections and interpretations of the historical facts surrounding the life of God's people from the reign of David to the Babylonian exile. 1 Chronicles recounts the righteous reign of David. Chapters 1-9 catalog David's ancestry dating back to Adam, and chapters 10-29 focus on the details of David's administration. Throughout the book, the emphasis is on proper worship of the one true God—a worship which David's life consistently exemplifies. Scripture April 15—1 Chronicles 1-9: David's Family Tree Observation Chronicles is more than merely a repetition of the books of 2 Samuel through 2 Kings. Though it covers the same period of history. Chronicles approaches the task from an entirely different perspective. It focuses on religious (not political) history, giving special attention to events surrou...

Anointed King David Hiding in Cave Weekly Devotional April 14— Psalm 34 : Faith in the Cave Reflection Elisha becomes God's spokesman to a disintegrating nation, and God performs amazing miracles through the prophet as he meets the needs of his people. But despite some bright spots in her history, Israel finally falls under God's judgment, leaving Judah to continue precariously to survive, until her deportation to Babylonia follows. It's a sad story, and yet it's not surprising given humanity's bent toward self and away from God. Turn your own heart toward heaven today by pausing to praise the Lord who loves you. He can take our fears and doubts and melt them with his joy, as David reminds us in Psalm 34. Have Great Faith! The book of Psalms was not written in a vacuum. Rather, it was penned by godly Old Testament characters who wrestled with the same day-to-day struggles we face today: fear, guilt, loneliness, anxiety...