The Delay Is Over “Therefore, tell them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: No more delay! I will now do everything I have threatened. I, the Sovereign Lord, have spoken!’” Ezekiel 12:28 NLT In the book of Ezekiel, we find a crucial moment where the people thought that God’s words would be delayed indefinitely…
The Real Value of Our Riches “They will throw their money in the streets, tossing it out like worthless trash. Their silver and gold won’t save them on that day of the Lord’s anger. It will neither satisfy nor feed them, for their greed can only trip them up.” Ezekiel 7:19 NLT Throughout life, it…
Divine Compassion and the Heart’s Response The Lord, the God of their ancestors, repeatedly sent his prophets to warn them, for he had compassion on his people and his Temple. 2 Chronicles 36:15 NLT In the last chapter of 2 Chronicles, we see the sad outcome of a nation that decided to repeatedly ignore the…
The Good Leader Assigns and Encourages He assigned the priests to their duties and encouraged them in their work at the Temple of the Lord. He issued this order to the Levites, who were to teach all Israel and who had been set apart to serve the Lord: “Put the holy Ark in the Temple…
When the Leader Sets the Example The king took his place of authority beside the pillar and renewed the covenant in the Lord’s presence. He pledged to obey the Lord by keeping all his commands, laws, and decrees with all his heart and soul. He promised to obey all the terms of the covenant that…
Humiliation and Restoration in Times of Distress But while in deep distress, Manasseh sought the Lord his God and sincerely humbled himself before the God of his ancestors. And when he prayed, the Lord listened to him and was moved by his request. So the Lord brought Manasseh back to Jerusalem and to his kingdom….
A Power Far Greater on Our Side “Be strong and courageous! Don’t be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria or his mighty army, for there is a power far greater on our side! He may have a great army, but they are merely men. We have the Lord our God to help…
Even our relatives receive benefits For if you return to the LORD, your relatives and your children will be treated mercifully by their captors, and they will be able to return to this land. For the LORD your God is gracious and merciful. If you return to him, he will not continue to turn his…
The Secret of True Success In this way King Hezekiah handled the affairs of all Judah. He did what was pleasing, good, and true in the sight of the Lord his God. In all that he did in the service of the Temple of God and in his efforts to follow God’s laws and commands,…
The Call to Serve Without Negligence My sons, do not neglect your duties any longer! The Lord has chosen you to stand in his presence, to minister to him, and to lead the people in worship and present offerings to him. 2 Chronicles 29:11 NLT King Hezekiah assumed the throne of Judah at a time…