Today’s reading: Ezra 5:1–6:22, 1 John 3:19–24, Ps 106:30–48

Today’s Theme: God’s Decree

Today we look at the sureness of God’s decrees and the call on us to finish well. God has provided all the support that we need in order to finish well, so let us run the race set before us, with faith.

Ezra 5:1–6:22

Prophetic Support

Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel and Jeshua the son of Jozadak arose and began to rebuild the house of God that is in Jerusalem, and the prophets of God were with them, supporting them. Ezra 5:2 (ESV)

We give God thanks for the way He has chosen to build the church.

We are told by Paul that God has decreed that some members of the church have special gifts to lead the church. This is sometimes called the fivefold ministry. We read this in Ephesians 4:11–12 “And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds (pastors) and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ”.

Our Pastors stand in that prophetic office for us today, as powerful preachers of God’s word. They spur us on in the work of the Lord (as they are empowered and led by God the Holy Spirit), which is the building up of the body of Christ and the expansion of God’s kingdom on the earth.

We should recognise the importance of submitting under the prophetic leadership of the Pastors that God has given to us. They bring great support to our lives as we seek to be built up individually and corporately in Christ.

Give God thanks for Pastor Dennis and Rev Taylor today, and ask God to help you to see the importance of them in your life. They are God’s instruments and are being used for God’s work.

Finish!

At the same time Tattenai the governor of the province Beyond the River and Shethar-bozenai and their associates came to them and spoke to them thus: “Who gave you a decree to build this house and to finish this structure?” Ezra 5:3 (ESV)

The devil and his demons do not want us to be finishers or to finish well. 1 Peter 5:8

The enemy does not want us to finish that which God has called us to do. The old nature is selfish and lazy, seeking its own glory. We need to be aware of the pull of the flesh, the influence of the world and the schemes of the enemy that cause us to leave the work unfinished. Romans 8:7

Today set your heart to be resolute to see the work finished. Jesus is our great example, He set His face like flint and then victoriously declared from the cross, “it is finished.” John 19:30

In the ultimate sense, the enemy does not want us to finish the race set before us, but we must recognise the stumbling blocks that the enemy will put in the way and we must overcome them. We need to determine in our hearts, to run the race of faith and  not to give up until we reach our desired goal, which is heaven. Philippians 3:12

See the following new testament scriptures on running the race of faith: Hebrews 12:1, 1 Corinthians 9:24, Galatians 5:7, Philippians 2:16 and 2 Timothy 4:7.

God has decreed that you will finish, therefore, determine to finish well.

The Great God

Be it known to the king that we went to the province of Judah, to the house of the great God. It is being built with huge stones, and timber is laid in the walls. This work goes on diligently and prospers in their hands. Ezra 5:8 (ESV)

Our God is sovereign, even the enemy has to recognise Him for who He is.

Our modern culture has done everything it can to erase God from our thoughts, with its philosophy of naturalism and the resulting theories of evolution, including the idea  of nothing exploding then creating everything. This is simply illogical and has never been observed in the scientific sense. This is known as the big bang theory.

Despite these attempts, God remains in the thoughts of people as a great God, even amongst those who do not serve Him and to the frustration of the “New Atheists” who are pushing the evolution theories.

We do not believe in the big bang, we believe in the big “Great” God, the one who decreed that the universe be created and it was. Genesis 1:1

Build On Other Finishers

And this was their reply to us: ‘We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth, and we are rebuilding the house that was built many years ago, which a great king of Israel built and finished. Ezra 5:11 (ESV)

We build on the work of others today, those in the church who have gone on before.

We build on our ultimate foundation, Jesus Christ, who finished the work He came to do, like the great king of Israel, Solomon. 1 Corinthians 3:11

We also build on the foundation laid by the prophets (old testament) and Apostles (new testament). This foundation is the bible. Ephesians 2:20

We also build on the work of the church councils, the early church fathers, the reformers, the puritans, the missionaries and Christian leaders of the past. Hebrews 6:12

We do not need to spend large amounts of time reinventing the wheel. For example, the council of Nicaea in 325 AD, defined the nature of the Trinity, this is now settled in the church and does not need to be revisited, the foundation is laid. Titus 2:1

Paul warns us to be careful how we build because our work will be tried. 1 Corinthians 3:12–15

God’s Government

Moreover, I make a decree regarding what you shall do for these elders of the Jews for the rebuilding of this house of God. The cost is to be paid to these men in full and without delay from the royal revenue, the tribute of the province from Beyond the River. Ezra 6:8 (ESV)

God is sovereign over the rulers of this world and like a master chess player, He moves and positions them to fulfil His purpose. God moved on the heart of the great king Darius to support the rebuilding of the temple.

The King makes a decree which is a reflection of and is ultimately backed up by the decree of the true king, God.

This should encourage our faith today that God’s government sits over the governments of the world. As in this account, God can move the government to support the work of the church without restrictive stipulations.

In verse 10 we can see that one of the king’s motivations was that he wanted prayers to be said for him and his family, see 1 Timothy 2:2.

The Decree of God

And the elders of the Jews built and prospered through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo. They finished their building by decree of the God of Israel and by decree of Cyrus and Darius and Artaxerxes king of Persia; Ezra 6:14 (ESV)

When God decrees something, it will come to pass and we can be 100% assured of that. God’s decreed will can never be derailed, it is that which He predestined and actively brings to pass, this includes both prophecy and our own salvation as God’s chosen people.

In the comments on 1 Chronicles 11:3 (here), we looked at  the difference between God’s decreed will and His commanded (desired) will.

1 John 3:19–24

God Is Over Our Hearts

for whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything. 1 John 3:20 (ESV)

Whatever God decrees, supersedes what we feel or even think. We can have assurance in God because God has said so in His word. God knows everything and whatever He decrees trumps everything else.

We should take assurance from this truth today, even if our hearts condemn us, we know that we belong to God.

Ask!

and whatever we ask we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him. 1 John 3:22 (ESV)

We can boldly ask God and receive from Him, if we know we are keeping His commands and pleasing Him with our faith. Ask today and receive in faith.

The Command

And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us. 1 John 3:23 (ESV)

This is not a decree, but a command that we have the responsibility to fulfil. This is the summary of Christian belief and practise.

We cannot fulfil this without the Holy Spirit, which John mentions in the next verse. The Holy Spirit living in us, is evidence that we belong to God.

Psalm 106:30–48

The Covenant of Love

For their sake he remembered his covenant, and relented according to the abundance of his steadfast love. Psalm 106:45 (ESV)

God keeps covenant not just because of obligation, but because of His love.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

The Gospel Coalition on 1 John 3

Today’s reading: Ezra 3:1–4:24, 1 John 3:11–18, Ps 106:16–29

Today’s Theme: Initiative (step out)

Today’s lesson is the clarion call to step out in faith and take the initiative to work in God’s kingdom, for His glory, our joy and the flourishing of others. Therefore determine today to get started, to lay the foundations of obedience and brace yourself for opposition.

Ezra 3:1–4:24

Put The Altar In Place

Then arose Jeshua the son of Jozadak, with his fellow priests, and Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel with his kinsmen, and they built the altar of the God of Israel, to offer burnt offerings on it, as it is written in the Law of Moses the man of God. Ezra 3:2 (ESV)

The first order of business for the returned exiles in Jerusalem, is to establish proper worship of the one and only true God, Yahweh.

Jesua and Zerubbabel arose and took the initiative to lead the people in rebuilding the Altar, in accordance with God’s word. They provide us a good example.

We must be willing to take the initiative in building a spiritual altar to the Lord, in our own lives and family. One type of altar that we need to build is a devotional altar, we should have a set time for worship, prayer, reading, studying and thinking about God’s word, this is commonly called devotional time or quiet time. Mark 1:35

Other altars may include times of corporate worship with the wider church community. Our weekly services are each an altar. An altar is often a definitive place and time where we come and make offerings to the Lord. Colossians 3:16

Peter reminds us in 1 Peter 2:5 “you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”

The altars in our lives should change us to the glory of God. Set your heart to rebuild broken down altars in your life today.

Just Get Started

Now in the second year after their coming to the house of God at Jerusalem, in the second month, Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel and Jeshua the son of Jozadak made a beginning, together with the rest of their kinsmen, the priests and the Levites and all who had come to Jerusalem from the captivity. They appointed the Levites, from twenty years old and upward, to supervise the work of the house of the LORD. Ezra 3:8 (ESV)

It is so important that we take initiative as we are led by God the Holy Spirit. Jeshua and Zerubbabel give us another good example, they “made a beginning”.

We need to take a step in the right direction. Is there a project God has put on your heart to do? If so, put pen to paper and start to write out a plan, send an email or set up a meeting. Hebrews 11:6

Maybe God is speaking to you about your devotional life and wants the quality of the time that you spend in prayer and the word, to improve. Don’t think of this or any other thing the Lord has put on your heart, as insurmountable and too hard to do, just “make a beginning”, take a step in the right direction in faith. Matthew 14:29

Maybe it involves the restoration of a relationship or even embarking on a new career, whatever it is, do not be crippled by fear, move forward in faith to the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31

Step out in faith today, do not put it off any longer, just get started!

Lay the Foundations

But many of the priests and Levites and heads of fathers’ houses, old men who had seen the first house, wept with a loud voice when they saw the foundation of this house being laid, though many shouted aloud for joy, Ezra 3:12 (ESV)

Jesus told us that the laying of foundations in our lives is the hearing and obeying of His word.

Matthew 7:24–25 reads “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.”

In the passage, the older generation were disappointed with the loss of the original, glorious foundation, in believing that the new one was not as good. This shows us that we can look back to those who have gone on before, to find inspiration and possibly better ways of laying the foundations of obedience to Christ, in our own lives (the Puritans for example).

Opposition Will Come

Then the people of the land discouraged the people of Judah and made them afraid to build. Ezra 4:4 (ESV)

If we repair the altars in our lives, launch out in faith and lay the foundations of obedience to Christ, we can be sure that opposition will come. The enemy does not mind when you are inactive and ineffective, but when you start to step out in faith, you are actively taking part in the war and fire will be drawn in your direction.

Despite discouragement coming from those around us, our own fears and spiritual opponents (evil spirits), we must take courage in the Lord and not allow ourselves to be discouraged in the work of the Lord.

Paul encourages us in Ephesians 6:16 “In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one”

1 John 3:11–18

The Evidence of Love

We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. Whoever does not love abides in death. 1 John 3:14 (ESV)

Love is an indicator that we have truly passed from death to life. We can use this to examine ourselves. Do we love our brothers and sisters in Christ if the answer is ‘no’? Then we need to seek the Lord for restoration.

This does not mean that we are not saved, it is more of an indicator that we are not walking as we should. John’s point is that if we are in Jesus who is life itself, then that life will be expressed through love for one another.

The love we have for one another is not just human affection, it is a supernatural love born of God the Holy Spirit.

Lay Our Lives Down

By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. 1 John 3:16 (ESV)

We need to take the initiative in laying our lives down for our brothers, otherwise love in the church community will never work. If we all wait for someone else to lay their lives down then no one will, it starts with us, we must take the initiative.

Jesus was our perfect example, His love for us was demonstrated in the action He took, He laid His life down for us.

Let us follow the example of Jesus, by laying down our own agenda and sacrificially loving and serving one another in the Lord. If we all do it, we will all grow together.

In the next verse an example is given which is to give to those in need. The final verse from this reading says that we should not just love with words and talk, but in deeds and truth.

Psalm 106:16–29

Obey God’s Voice

Then they despised the pleasant land, having no faith in his promise. They murmured in their tents, and did not obey the voice of the LORD. Psalm 106:24–25 (ESV)

We have been called to obedience and as we read earlier, this is the foundation of our lives. Let us respond to God in practical faith today, let us step out and take the land in faith.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

Desiring God on 1 John 3

Today’s reading: Ezra 1:1–2:70, 1 John 3:5–10, Ps 106:1–15

Today’s Themes: Moved by God

Today we learn that God is at work in the nations and in the lives of individuals, by His own Sovereign power. This should fill our hearts with hope, faith and praise as we trust in His good plan. Let God be at work in you and through you today.

Ezra 1:1–2:70

Prophecy Fulfilled

“Thus says Cyrus king of Persia: The LORD, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, and he has charged me to build him a house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Ezra 1:2 (ESV)

The rise of Cyrus is one of the most amazing fulfilments of prophecy. Isaiah prophesied the coming of Cyrus by name, almost 200 years before he came to power in Isaiah 44:28–45:6. He said that he would restore Jerusalem and the temple (note that when Isaiah wrote this down, the temple and Jerusalem were still standing).

When we first read this declaration, it may seem that Cyrus truly believed in the Lord but in fact, he remained a Pagan king, worshiping his god Marduk and honouring other false god’s too. This makes it even more remarkable that the Lord was able to use him for His own purposes.

In the prophecy in Isaiah 45:4–5, God makes a point of stating that Cyrus did not know Him (he was not a believer) and God goes on to affirm that He alone is God and proves so by this very prophecy.

This fulfilment of prophecy is one of the proofs that the bible is the inspired and inerrant word of God. No other “holy book” has direct fulfilled prophecies like this.

God demonstrates His Sovereign power over the nations in bringing about His purposes. This should boost our faith today, that God is well able.

Be Stirred Up

Then rose up the heads of the fathers’ houses of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests and the Levites, everyone whose spirit God had stirred to go up to rebuild the house of the LORD that is in Jerusalem. Ezra 1:5 (ESV)

God was not only at work in awakening the heart of the king, He was also at work with the people.

We must recognise the sovereign power of God in our own lives. God is not acting in a random way, everything He does is planned. God knows the end of everything, His plans and works are always in accordance to the counsel of His own will, see Ephesians 1:11.

We must allow ourselves to be stirred up and awakened by the Lord, to do His will. Paul encourages us in 1 Thessalonians 5:19, “Do not quench the Spirit”.

Paul also encourages Timothy in 2 Timothy 1:6 “For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God…”.

We need to allow ourselves to be stirred up by God the Holy Spirit and actively take part in stirring ourselves up through seeking God in His word, in prayer and being open to God’s move.

Let’s stand today, ready to be used.

Also see Ephesians 4:30, 1 Corinthians 14:30 and 1 Timothy 4:14.

1 John 3:5–10

We do not practise sin

No one who abides in him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or known him. 1 John 3:6 (ESV)

As Christians, it is clear that we no longer habitually practise (remain, stay in) sin.

I enjoy reading the book of John because he cuts straight to the chase! Those who live in and practise sin, do not know God and are simply not saved. The evidence is quite clear.

Some say “well God knows my heart”, but this is said in self deception and out of context, because God does know how wicked the unregenerate heart is and Jesus Himself told us, we would know true believers by the fruit of their life.

Our behaviour is clear evidence of genuine salvation. We either stay (abide) in Christ or we stay (practise) in sin, it is not possible to do both.

The Complete Work

Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God’s seed abides in him, and he cannot keep on sinning because he has been born of God. 1 John 3:8–9 (ESV)

Those who practise sin cannot be of God and are not in Christ, John’s logic and reasoning are simple and are inspired truth from God the Holy Spirit.

The work that Jesus did on the cross was fully accomplished and applied to the saints, the works of the devil have been destroyed in the lives of believers and we have been set free to serve God.

What Jesus did on the cross was an actual atonement, a real life redemption, a bonafide victory, He provides a sure salvation.

Our redemption is not some halfway house, it is the perfect and complete work of God, which undoes and destroys the works of the devil.

Because of this complete work, those that are in Christ are no longer subject to the power of sin or the devils dominion, we belong to Christ and our nature has been made new because we are born of God.

We should encourage ourselves and one another with this truth, to press forward in faith.

Practise Righteousness

By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother. 1 John 3:10 (ESV)

The Christian life is certainly not a life of sin, but it is also not a passive life of inaction, we do not drift along carried to and fro by our own passions, moods and circumstances.

We must actively practise righteousness, the very desire to do this is evidence of true salvation.

This can also be an indicator to us of where we are in our walk with the Lord, if the desire to practise righteousness goes cold, we need to examine ourselves and allow God to stir up our hearts again.

For His Name’s Sake

Yet he saved them for his name’s sake, that he might make known his mighty power. Psalm 106:8 (ESV)

This is a great key when we pray, we can ask God to move for His own name’s sake.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

The Gospel Coalition on 1 John 3

Today’s reading:  2 Chron 35:1–36:23, 1 John 2:28–3:4, Ps 105:23–45

Today’s theme: God’s Love and Promises

It is significant that today in the UK, we celebrate 800 years since the signing of the Magna Carta, and we read about King Josiah restoring God’s government and order in Israel. We learn important lessons about God’s love and promises, serving each other, looking back to the old examples and listening. Thank God today for His great love and the promises He has given us in His word, which like the Magna Carta, forms the cornerstone of our citizenship in God’s kingdom.

2 Chronicles 35:1–36:23

Serve Each Other

The singers, the sons of Asaph, were in their place according to the command of David, and Asaph, and Heman, and Jeduthun the king’s seer; and the gatekeepers were at each gate. They did not need to depart from their service, for their brothers the Levites prepared for them. 2 Chronicles 35:15 (ESV)

This is a great example of the way ministry works and how it helps all those involved with it.

Paul taught in 1 Corinthians 12:25 “that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another.”

Paul also tells us  in Ephesians 4:16 “from (Jesus the head) whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.”

Ask God how you can serve the body of Christ today. Also see 1 Corinthians 12:25, Romans 12:4–8

Look Back

No Passover like it had been kept in Israel since the days of Samuel the prophet. None of the kings of Israel had kept such a Passover as was kept by Josiah, and the priests and the Levites, and all Judah and Israel who were present, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem. 2 Chronicles 35:18 (ESV)

The last leader to follow the Passover correctly was Samuel. King Josiah returns to God’s word and is the first king to hold a full Passover in accordance with what God had prescribed to Moses.

We learn from this that we should get our practise as Christians from God’s word, but we should not neglect looking back at those who have gone on before us and looking at their example.

As the saying goes “if it is not broken, don’t fix it”. We must humble ourselves and learn from the 2000 years of church history we already have, as its leaders align with God’s word. See Hebrews 12:1–2

Josiah was only aged 26 when he held this biblical Passover.

Listen

Nevertheless, Josiah did not turn away from him, but disguised himself in order to fight with him. He did not listen to the words of Neco from the mouth of God, but came to fight in the plain of Megiddo. 2 Chronicles 35:22 (ESV)

Like other good kings , Josiah’s downfall came through pride and stubbornness.

God in His sovereignty was using Neco to pass judgement on the people of Carchemish, Josiah was not to get involved.

We need to be careful not to react to a situation and reach out in our own understanding when God is at work. The key to avoiding this is to seek God’s will in prayer and to be led by His Holy Spirit.

Paul has an example of this in his own life, in Acts 16:6–7 “And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. And when they had come up to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them.”

Pride and Rebellion

He did what was evil in the sight of the LORD his God. He did not humble himself before Jeremiah the prophet, who spoke from the mouth of the LORD. He also rebelled against King Nebuchadnezzar, who had made him swear by God. He stiffened his neck and hardened his heart against turning to the LORD, the God of Israel. 2 Chronicles 36:12–13 (ESV)

King Zedekiah was evil, he had no humility to listen to God’s prophet nor loyalty to honour the king.

We need to avoid both the attitudes of pride and rebellion, we should humbly submit to God’s word, our ministers and even the authorities. See 1 Peter 2:12

No Other Remedy

The LORD, the God of their fathers, sent persistently to them by his messengers, because he had compassion on his people and on his dwelling place. But they kept mocking the messengers of God, despising his words and scoffing at his prophets, until the wrath of the LORD rose against his people, until there was no remedy. 2 Chronicles 36:15–16 (ESV)

This demonstrates the great love that God has for His people. However, against common conceptions, this mercy and love has a limit. Although it is immense, there came a time where there was no remedy.

When Jesus spoke about the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, He was teaching that those who resist and turn away from the Spirit’s drawing, cannot be forgiven. Matthew 12:31–32

Those who reject the Gospel cannot instead receive the gospel, version 2! Hebrews 6:4–6

If we reject God’s word, God’s plan of salvation and God’s Spirit, there is no other remedy.

The King’s Declaration

Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom and also put it in writing: 2 Chronicles 36:22 (ESV)

The book ends by showing us that God, the true King, is in complete control. This is a great testament to God’s sovereignty. God was able to stir up and use this pagan king for His own purposes.

The very declaration of king Cyrus is a reflection of God’s declared will, from His throne as the King of the universe, which He ensures always comes to pass.

God remains victorious, all the earthly kings have faded away. Now Israel’s true King will restore them to the land, in preparation for the 1st coming of the King fulfilled by Jesus, the son of David.

1 John 2:28–3:4

God’s Great Love

See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 1 John 3:1 (ESV)

We thank God for His love in the context that He has made us His children.

God’s love is great because it is by God’s own act of love that we belong to God, in as secure and permanent a way, that a child belongs to their own loving parents.

God’s love is also great because of the quality of the love that He shows. God’s love is not like that of man and He does not have the shortcomings of earthly fathers.

Those who are fathers should reflect on God’s incredible love, demonstrated to us by making us His children and we should pour that love on our own children. Those who are not fathers can reflect on God the Father, who has adopted them and made them become His child.

Purifying Hope

And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure. 1 John 3:3 (ESV)

God calls us His children now, we do not know what we will be when Jesus returns, but it will be even greater somehow (probably largely due to the fact that we will have eternal resurrection bodies).

The joyful hope of what we will become when Jesus returns, should help us to stay pure.

Morally pure living is the response of those who hope to become like Jesus at His return.

Psalm 105:23–45

God’s Promises

For he remembered his holy promise, and Abraham, his servant. So he brought his people out with joy, his chosen ones with singing. Psalm 105:42–43 (ESV)

Thank God today that He keeps His promises. We can sing and rejoice that God is faithful, our God who makes and keeps promises.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

Desiring God on 1 John 3

Today’s reading: 2 Chron 33:1–34:33, 1 John 2:18–27, Ps 105:1–22

Today’s theme: Repentance and Restoration

Today’s theme is the call and necessity of repentance and restoration in our lives. Repentance without humility is not possible and aside from God’s word, is without power. Repentance should lead to restoration of our right relationship with God, as we apply His word to our lives.

2 Chronicles 33:1–34:33

Abortion and Witchcraft

And he burned his sons as an offering in the Valley of the Son of Hinnom, and used fortune-telling and omens and sorcery, and dealt with mediums and with necromancers. He did much evil in the sight of the LORD, provoking him to anger. 2 Chronicles 33:6 (ESV)

The evil of abortion which is in fact the murder of a little baby, is an abomination before God. Many would read about Manasseh’s infanticide in horror, whilst contending that a woman has the right to choose, after already becoming pregnant, whether they want to have the baby, and if not, they should have the right to “get rid of it” (murder it with impunity).

We must stand up for these little ones in the womb, they stand defenceless while someone else, often for the sake of convenience, inflicts unimaginable pain on them whilst killing them.

The killing of children (abortion) is spoken of in the same context as witchcraft, both acts are extremely wicked. Abortion is the new Molech.

If You have ever been involved in an abortion, there is hope and forgiveness for you to be found in Jesus.

Humility and Repentance

And when he was in distress, he entreated the favor of the LORD his God and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers. He prayed to him, and God was moved by his entreaty and heard his plea and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD was God. 2 Chronicles 33:12–13 (ESV)

The repentance of Manasseh is a strong picture of how merciful God really is. Manasseh was like a monster, he was guilty of more evil than the average person, yet when he humbled himself and cried out to God in repentance, God forgave him.

God’s mercy and goodness leads even the worst of sinners to come to know Him. God’s goodness should lead us to repentance. Romans 2:4

Relationship with God

Now the rest of the acts of Manasseh, and his prayer to his God, and the words of the seers who spoke to him in the name of the LORD, the God of Israel, behold, they are in the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel. 2 Chronicles 33:18 (ESV)

Notice the verse says “his prayer to his God”. We do not just repent to a distant God to keep him happy, God desires that we come into a good relationship with Himself and has made this possible through Jesus.

Our repentance should bring reconciliation in our relationship with God.

New Beginnings

For in the eighth year of his reign, while he was yet a boy, he began to seek the God of David his father, and in the twelfth year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem of the high places, the Asherim, and the carved and the metal images. 2 Chronicles 34:3 (ESV)

The number 8 represents new beginnings in the bible. This new king Josiah, who lived before God just like David, began to reign when he was only aged 8. Now we read in the 8th year of his reign at age 16, he began to seek the Lord.

12 speaks of God’s government, which makes it even more significant that it was in the 12th year of his reign that the purging of the land began, restoring God’s order.

At age 16 he began to seek God and at age 20 began restoring the land. This is wonderful and shows there is hope for our young people and God can use them mightily. 1 Timothy 4:12

Respond to the Word

And when the king heard the words of the Law, he tore his clothes. 2 Chronicles 34:19 (ESV)

Our response to God’s word is so important. When we hear God’s word we should be in a place of humility, allowing the word to change us and not us reinterpreting and therefore changing the word.

God’s word is a precious treasure, notice it was found in the treasury with all the gold.

We should treasure the word of God and ask God to make our hearts alive to the message it has for us, so we can respond to it as we ought to.

Paul encourages us in Colossians 3:16 “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.”

Be Humble

because your heart was tender and you humbled yourself before God when you heard his words against this place and its inhabitants, and you have humbled yourself before me and have torn your clothes and wept before me, I also have heard you, declares the LORD. 2 Chronicles 34:27 (ESV)

Again we read about the importance of humility, we must be humble and have tender hearts before God.

We are reminded in James 4:6-8 “But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”

Read the Bible

And the king went up to the house of the LORD, with all the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem and the priests and the Levites, all the people both great and small. And he read in their hearing all the words of the Book of the Covenant that had been found in the house of the LORD. 2 Chronicles 34:30 (ESV)

This lesson is simple, we must read or listen to the bible.

Without the commands, directions and warnings of God’s word, we would not know who God is, what the gospel is or even which direction to turn to when we repent or what needs to be repented of.

The conscience and nature, as witnesses to the truth, are limited. We should give God thanks for the treasure of His revealed word, ‘The Bible’, God’s special revelation.

1 John 2:18–27

Eternal Security

They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us. 1 John 2:19 (ESV)

John is quite plain, those that end up leaving the faith were never truly saved, according to this verse. This is because those who have truly been saved are held secure by the Lord, endure till the end and are saved.

Confess Jesus

No one who denies the Son has the Father. Whoever confesses the Son has the Father also.    1 John 2:23 (ESV)

This is why we need to reach out to the Jews, although they worship the same God as us, the God of the bible, they reject Jesus Christ as the Son of God and Messiah. As this verse says, without Jesus we do not have a relationship with the Father.

The Anointing

But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him. 1 John 2:27 (ESV)

This is a great encouragement to all of us as God’s people, we receive the anointing of God the Holy Spirit, when we are born again. The Holy Spirit is the one who abides in us and His purpose is to teach us so that we abide and stay in Jesus, which is in line with the earlier note about eternal security.

We should be encouraged and thank God for His anointing today.

Psalm 105:1–22

God’s Presence

Seek the LORD and his strength; seek his presence continually! Psalm 105:4 (ESV)

We should long for and seek God’s manifest presence with Joy. When we rejoice in God, we receive strength. This is the remedy if we feel weary, seek God’s strength by seeking God’s presence.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

The Gospel Coalition on 1 John 2