Plot against the Jews (Esther 3:1-2, 6, 8, 10)

Later, King Xerxes promoted Haman to the highest position in his kingdom. The king gave orders for his officials at the royal gate to honor him by kneeling down to him. All of them obeyed except Mordecai the uncle of Esther. And when he found out that Mordecai was a Jew, he knew that killing him was not enough. Every Jew in the kingdom had to be exterminated. Then Haman went to the king and said: Your Majesty, there are some people who live all over your kingdom and won't have a thing to do with anyone else. They have customs that are different from everyone else's, and they refuse to obey your laws. We would be better off to get rid of them! The king handed his official ring to Haman, who hated the Jews and the king told him, "Do what you want with those people. You can keep their money."

It is important to realize that this is not a fictional event, that it is a real occurence in history. Without a doubt, the Jews have always been a persecuted people, but their real hope is in Father-God. Mordecai's refusal to bow is similar to Daniel's refusal for the same thing because bowing before someone is reserved for God alone and now it will be up to God to deliver his people.

Daily Prayer: Father, I am not under legal persecution to obey you, but I have social pressures from the world for my relationship with you. The world does not know you, but I know you. When I walk by sight it leads to human error and decline. But when I walk by faith it leads to true life and responsibility to you alone. Nobody can deliver out of your hand. In your name I pray Amen.

Esther is chosen to be the queen (Esther 2: 8, 17, 20)

So it came about when the command and decree of the king were heard and many young ladies were gathered to the citadel of Susa into the custody of Hegai, that Esther was taken to the king's palace into the custody of Hegai, who was in charge of the women. The king loved Esther more than all the women, and she found favor and kindness with him more than all the other virgins, so that he set the royal crown on her head and made her queen instead of Vashti. Esther had not yet made known her kindred or her people, even as Mordecai her uncle had commanded her; for Esther did what Mordecai told her as she had done when under his care.

In the midst of this powerful nation dwell members of a lowly and oppressed people - Jews deported from their land and now living scattered across the empire. Among them is a young girl of no property or prospects - Esther, an orphan, brought up by her uncle Mordecai. In her simplicity she has the beauty. The helplessness of the Jews contrasts sharply with the might of the empire. Given the resources each has, any conflict between the two would spell ruin of the Jews. Yet the Jews in their humility have the quality which can win people over. The king is very taken by Esther, who asks nothing of him, and soon she is made his queen.

Daily Prayer: Father, it is true that you demonstrate your strength through fragile vessels. The beginning of the story is surely not the end. Use me also Father for your glory and to accomplish your plans. In your holy name I pray Amen.

The banquet of the king (Esther 1: 1-3, 10-12)

King Xerxes of Persia lived in his capital city of Susa and ruled one hundred twenty-seven provinces from India to Ethiopia. During the third year of his rule, Xerxes gave a big dinner for all his officials and officers. The governors and leaders of the provinces were also invited, and even the commanders of the Persian and Median armies came. By the seventh day, King Xerxes was feeling happy because of so much wine. And he asked his seven personal servants to bring Queen Vashti to him. The king wanted her to wear her crown and let his people and his officials see how beautiful she was. The kings servants told Queen Vashti what he had said, but she refused to go to him, and this made him terribly angry.
This created a special kind of problem for the king. The queen had broken royal law and had also provoked the men of the kingdom. They contended that when the conduct of the queen to her king became known, it will provoke similar response to all the men in the kingdom where their wife will look with contempt at their husband and follow the pattern of the queen. At the suggestion of the king's servants, they suggested that he issue a royal edict that would go throughout the kingdom removing Queen Vashti and replacing her with someone who is more suitable than her. This idea pleased the king. Daily Prayer: It seems that regardless of privilege, nobody wants to obey their king. So it is also in the Kingdom of Heaven. Even though the angels were given the presence of God Almighty, there were many who wanted something more, only to be expelled. With the creation of man in the image of God, man only needed to obey to have dominion over all the world, but he could not. Thank God for the Son who was able to obey and by his obedience, bring many into glory. In Jesus name I pray Amen.

Foreigners excluded from temple courts (Nehemiah 13: 1 - 3)

On that day they read aloud from the book of Moses in the hearing of the people; and there was found written in it that no Ammonite or Moabite should ever enter the assembly of God because they did not meet the sons of Israel with bread and water, but hired Balaam against them to curse them. However, our God turned the curse into a blessing. So when they heard the law, they excluded all foreigners from Israel.

This passage takes some background. Before Israel was a nation, God blessed Abraham and everyone related to him. Lot was Abraham's nephew whom God delivered from the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. Lot's wife was turned to salt because she disobeyed the LORD and looked back. As a result, the daughters of Lot had children with their father whose descendants became the nations of Ammon and Moab. Ammon is modern day Jordan and Moab is north of Jerusalem. It was not because of the incestuous backgroud of these people that they were banned by God from the temple. It is because they acted as enemies to the Jews when God led then out of Egypt in the exodus. The banning of all foreigners will change in the New Testament when Paul brings in gentile converts to the temple. These early converts were nearly stoned to death, but Paul who is a messenger of Jesus Christ is bringing in a new day where the gentile believers will be grafted into the promises of Abraham.

Daily Prayer: Lord thank you for considering me among your chosen who can worship you in faith and in truth. No longer are you pleased with the blood of animals to bring atonement for your people, but instead a contrite heart and a believing spirit. The dawning of this new day is the New Covenant given to me and all who come to you by faith. In Jesus name I pray Amen.

Ezra reads the law & declares the day holy (Nehemiah 8: 5-6, 9-10)

Ezra was up on a platform, where he could be seen by everyone, and when he opened the book, they all stood up. Ezra praised the great LORD God, and the people shouted, "Amen! Amen!"
Then they bowed with their faces to the ground and worshiped the LORD. The people started crying when God's Law was read to them. Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and teacher, and the Levites who had been teaching the people all said, "This is a special day for the LORD your God. So don't be sad and don't cry!" Nehemiah told the people, "Enjoy your good food and wine and share some with those who didn't have anything to bring. Don't be sad! This is a special day for the LORD, and he will make you happy and strong."

When leaders are holy men and women like Ezra and Nehemiah, people desire to follow them. Their Amen translates "Let it be so." So it is in our lives as well. When leaders such as Martin Luther King and Billy Graham give an example of what American righteousness looks like, the people exalt their example of leadership. The Law of God was not intended to be a burden to God's people, but instead a method for holy living. Public examples of godly living would bring about an abundant revival of people seeking fairness and goodness.

Daily Prayer: Father, Jesus was the finest example of holy living who ever walked this place. Let me and those whom I influence follow after his example both publicly and privately. In Jesus name I pray Amen.

The rebuilding of the wall in Jerusalem is finished (Nehemiah 6: 15 - 16)

So the wall was completed on the twenty-fifth of the month of Elul, in fifty-two days. When all our enemies heard of it, and all the nations surrounding us saw it, they lost their confidence; for they recognized that this work had been accomplished with the help of our God.

When Nehemiah arrived for the rebuilding of the wall in Jerusalem, he was met with hostile resistance. Nobody wanted for there to be any aid to the Jews living in Jerusalem. It was Nehemiah's prayer that God himself bring him aid, as this is the citythat bears his name. Throughout the reconstruction, the group headed by Nehemiah was so persecuted that he had to post soldiers at and around the wall twenty four hours a day to protect the workers and the wall. The protesters didn't believe that they had either the skill or the manpower to do their work, but when it was completed successfully in haste, it was clear that God was with them and they had every right to fear because of their persecution.

Daily Prayer: Lord, all work that I and others do is a result of your hand and direction in it. Often times we forget to give you the credit for all the things that you really do and I ask that I consciously seek your imprint in the things I do every day and take the time for daily thanksgiving. In your holy name I pray Amen.

God hears & responds to Nehemiah's prayer for Jerusalem (Nehemiah 2: 5,7,9-10)

Then I told the king (that is King Artaxerxes of Prussia), "Sir, if it's all right with you, send me back to Judah, so that I can rebuild the city where my ancestors are buried." Then I asked, "Your Majesty, would you be willing to give me letters to the governors of the provinces west of the Euphrates River, so that I can travel safely to Judah?" The king sent some army officers and cavalry troops along with me, and as I traveled through the Western Provinces, I gave the letters to the governors. But when Sanballat from Horon and Tobiah the Ammonite official heard about what had happened, they became very angry, because they didn't want anyone to help the people of Israel.

God influenced the disposition of the king favorably toward Nehemiah who is the cupbearer to the king. The king wanted to please Nehemiah so he grants his request to journey to Jerusalem to rebuild the walls and the gates of the city there. The neighbors of the people in Judah did not want anyone to come to Israel's aid, because Jerusalem had been desolate since the time of the Babylonian exile. But God was engineering the rebuilding of the city and remembers the promises he made to David that there would remain a king over his throne there.

Daily Prayer: Jesus teaches us that if we seek first the Kingdom of God, all these things will be added unto it. Let me both know and do your will father. Let me have the confidence that when I do things your way, you will both come before me and follow after me. In your holy name I pray Amen.

Distress in Jerusalem & Nehemiah's Prayer PT 2 (Nehemiah 1: 5-11)

Lord God of heaven, you are great and fearsome. And you faithfully keep your promises to everyone who loves you and obeys your commands. I am your servant, so please have mercy on me and answer the prayer that I make day and night for these people of Israel who serve you. I, my family, and the rest of your people have sinned. Please remember the promise you made to Moses. You told him that if we were unfaithful, you would scatter us among foreign nations. But you also said that no matter how far away we were, we could turn to you and obey your laws. Then you would bring us back to the place where you have chosen to be worshiped. Our Lord, I am praying for your servants - those you rescued by your great strength and mighty power. Answer my prayer and the prayer of you servants who gladly honor your name. When I serve the king his wine today, make him be pleased with me and have him do what I ask.

In this prayer, Nehemiah is praying for the people and the well being of the nation. He begins by acknowledging God's ability and strength in this matter and lays out the sins of the people. He reminds God of what he has already said and promised, just as Moses would cool the wrath of God by his choice to remember. He is not praying for personal gain, but for the good of the nation, the good of Jerusalem and the good of God as God chose Jerusalem as the place to set his name and the Jews who he calls his people.

Daily Prayer: Father, so many of my prayers are self-centered. Leadership is the ability to go beyond personal needs and to intercede for the needs of those who may not be able to help themself. Give all who call on your name grace as they approach the Throne of the Most High. In Jesus name I pray Amen.

Distress in Jerusalem & Nehemiah's Prayer PT 1 (Nehemiah 1: 2-4)

When my brothers from Judah came I asked them about the Jews who had escaped from being captives in Babylonia. I also asked them about the city of Jerusalem. They told me, "Those captives who have come back are having all kinds of troubles. They are terribly disgraced, Jerusalem's walls are broken down, and its gates have been burned." When I heard this, I sat down and cried. Then for several days, I mourned; I went without eating to show my sorrow, and I prayed.

Nehemiah is a contemporary with Ezra. The Persian government is allowing the return of the Babylonian exiles, but now we learn of new trouble concerning the security in Jerusalem. Nehemiah's proper response is crying for his country. He has a broken heart concerning the sins of the nation and he fasts to seek divine intervention into his & Judah's problem. Depriving himself of physical substance is his means of gaining spiritual energy.

Daily Prayer: Father, all too often I become used to your faithfulness without sufficient sacrifice on my own part. Forgive me Father. Let me learn from the prayer of Nehemiah to know and understand that you are the one to heal a broken heart. In your name I pray Amen.

Ezra's prayer intercedes for the nation PT 2 (Ezra 9: 10-15)

Our God, what can we say now? Even after all this, we have disobeyed the commandments that were given to us by your servants the prophets. They said the land you are giving us is full of sinful and wicked people, who never stop doing disgusting things. And we were warned not to let our daughters and sons marry their sons and daughters. We were told not to help foreigners or even let them live in peace. You want us to become strong and enjoy the good things in the land and leave it better for our children. You punished us because of our sins. But you did not punish us as much as we deserve and brought some of us back home. Why should we disobey your commands again by letting our sons and daughters marry these foreigners? That would make you angry enough to destroy us all! LORD God of Israel, you have been more than fair by letting a few of us survive. But once again, our sins have made us ashamed to face you.

This is an Old Testament example of God's grace and mercy. When God gives us what we do not deserve (the land of promise instead of exile) this is the grace of God. When God does not give us what we do deserve (deserving of punishment and not blessing), this is God's mercy. It is God's desire that this brokenness due to sin leads to improved relations with God. Despite the sins of their children, these Jews were far better off than their fathers who were brought into exile for worshiping other gods. Ezra is paving the way to forgiveness through confession for the people and agreeing with God about his expectations.

Daily Prayer: Father, my sins are ever before you. My sins are against you, but have been atoned for by your grace in sending your son. Wash my sins as far away as the east is from the west and leave me without guild or shame, because of my life in your son. In Jesus name I pray Amen.

Ezra's prayer intercedes for the nation PT 1 (Ezra 9:5-9)

At the time of the evening sacrifice, I was still sitting there in sorrow with my clothes all torn. So I got down on my knees, then lifted my arms, and prayed: I am much too ashamed to face you, LORD God. Our sins and our guilt have swept over us like a flood that reaches up to the heavens. Since the time of our ancestors, all of us have sinned. That's why we, our kings, and our priests have often been defeated by other kings. They have killed some of us and made slaves of others; they have taken our possessions and made us ashamed, just as we are today. But for now, LORD God, you have shown great kindness to us. You made us truly happy by letting some of us settle in this sacred place and by helping us in our time of slavery. We are slaves, but you have never turned you back on us. You love us, and because of you, the kings of Persia have helped us. It's as though you have given us new life! You let us rebuild the temple and live safely in Judah and Jerusalem.

The great sin Ezra is making reference to is the people intermarrying with the nations which is against God's Covenant. He states what he knows and that is that the people have offended a holy God and have not been loyal to God's Covenant even though the Lord has acted in lovingkindness. He confesses the sins of his people and gives credit to God for what he has done for his people and credits him with loyal love. Ezra would rather fall into the hands of a loving and loyal God than into the hands of evil men.

Daily Prayer: Lord God, you are truely compassionate on your own people and all nations. It is as Jesus says, "My father brings rain on the righteous and sinners alike." It is as Ezra says, which is we need new life so that we can set our old life and priorities of the world aside. Lord, help me acomplish this for your sake and for my benefit. In your holy name I pray Amen.

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Ezra Journeys from Babylon to Jerusalem & King Artaxerxes Issues a Decree (Ezra 7:6, 11, 21, and 26)

Ezra came up from Babylon to Jerusalem. He was a teacher well versed in the Law of Moses, which the LORD, the God of Israel, had given. The king granted him everything he asked, for the hand of the LORD God was on him. Now I, King Artaxerxes, decree that all the treasures of Trans-Euphrates are to provide with diligence whatever Ezra the priest, the teacher of the Law of the God of heaven, may ask of you. Whoever does not obey the law of your God and the law of the king must surely be punished by death, banishment, confiscation of property, or imprisonment. It is true that whether or not you are a Child of God, Biblical principles provide for orderly and fair regulation by government. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. The king recognized that God was with Ezra so it was far better for him to seek divine blessing than to set his face against the Lord. This was also true of King Cyrus and King Darious before him. Unlike the Pharaoh of Egypt in years passed, who refused to let God's people go, in those days God sent ten plagues including death of all first born to win the cooperation of the king. This king understands God's sovereignty and aids the return of the exiles. Daily Prayer: Father, in all cases, your will be done. Nobody can deliver out of your hand. My error is that sometimes I mistake grace for favor and for a short period of time I look back at what I have done until I come to my senses and understand that all things are from your hand. All things that I do, no matter whether they be great or small, shall be done for your glory and honor. This I pray in your holy name Amen. NOTICE: This week in addition to daily devotions, podcast sermons are added for the purpose of recognizing important days of this holy week. Take time to check them out. May the Lord bless you.

Judah thwarts Israel in their desire to build Second Temple (Ezra 4: 1-4)

The enemies of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin heard that the people had come back to rebuild the temple of the LORD God of Israel. So they went to Zerubabbel and to the family leaders and said, "Let us help! Ever since King Esarhaddon of Assyeria brought us here, we have worshiped your God and offered sacrifices to him." But Zerubbabel, Joshua, and the family leaders answered, "You cannot take part in building a temple for the LORD our God! We will build it ourselves, just as King Cyrus of Persia commanded us." Then the neighboring people began to do everything possible to frighten the Jews and to make them stop building. This was a foolish error by the families of Judah and Benjamin. The twelve tribes which make up the sons of Jacob divided because the northern tribes asked, "What inheritance do we have with the sons of Jesse?" In other words, they did not want to follow the Davidic lines of kings and divided the country over their own selfishness. When Solomon built the First Temple, he used all of the neighboring nations in its construction. Here, Judah is rejecting fellow Jews in its reconstruction with no attempt to reconcile before God. Daily Prayer: Father, the people of God are not the Sons of Abraham alone, but those who follow the spirit of Abraham and believe in you. Today, plant within my own heart the spirit of reconciliation because this is also the Spirit of God. In your holy name I pray Amen.

Judah is free to go home & rebuild the Temple of God (Ezra 1: 1-4)

Years ago, the LORD sent Jeremiah with a message about a promise for the people of Israel. Then in the first year that Cyrus was king of Persia, the LORD kept his promise by having Cyrus send this official message to all parts of his kingdom: I am King Cyrus of Persia. The LORD God of heaven, who is also the God of Israel, has made me the ruler of all the nations on earth. And he has chosen me to build a temple for him in Jerusalem, which is in Judah. The LORD God will watch over and encourage any of his people who want to go back to Jerusalem and help build the temple. Everyone else must provide what is needed. They must give money, supplies, and animals, as well as gifts for rebuilding God's Temple. The prophecy of Jeremiah called for a seventy year captivity which was originally in Babylon. In this time, Babylon was overtaken by Persia which is modern day Iran. It was their king who was used by God as his servant to make an official proclamation to fulfill the word of Jeremiah concerning the exile. Now this Persian king is crediting God Almighty for the authority given to him and is making way for God's people to return at the expense of his kingdom. Daily Prayer: Father, this is another example of your faithfulness to your people. You no longer chose to remember my sins, but you remember your promises for a thousand generations. What has happened to Persia (Iran) where they no longer remember being used by you and in my day have turned against you and your people? Bring them to repentance I pray in Jesus name Amen.

Jehovah brings judgment against Judah, but spares the remnant (2 Chronicles 34: 22-24, 26-28)

Hilkiah and the four other men left right away and went to talk with Hildah the prophetess. Her husband was Shallum, who was in charge of the king's clothes. Hildah lived in the northern part of Jerusalem, and they when they met in her in her home she said: You were sent here by King Josiah, and this is what the LORD God of Israel says to him: "Josiah, I am the LORD! And I intend to punish this country and everyone in it, just as the book says. Josiah, listen to what I am going to do. I noticed how sad you were when you heard that this country and its people would be completely wiped out. You even tore your clothes in sorrow, and I heard you cry. So before I destroy this place, I will let you die in peace." The men left and reported to Josiah what Huldah had said. Yahweh is a God of justice, but he has mercy on a contrite heart. Josiah was the king who found the Book of the Law in the temple and had it read to him by the scribes. When he heard their words, he tore his royal clothes understanding that these were the words of God's Covenant and the people and their fathers had not obeyed them. He tried to institute reform as Hezekiah before him had done, but the people were far away from God and were acting like the nations instead of the people of God. The Law of the Covenant is clear, they need to be carried into exile and removed from the land. Daily Prayer: Father it is necessary for me to live a life pleasing to you. In my day, it is not a Book of the Law but it is walking humbly before the LORD. Sacrifices do not please you, but a broken heart and a contrite spirit is the mark of those who belong to you. In Jesus name I pray Amen.

Amon was twenty-two years old when he became king of Judah, and he ruled from Jerusalem for two years. Amon disobeyed the LORD, just as his father Manasseh had done, and he worshiped and offered sacrifices to the idols his father had made. Manasseh had turned back to the LORD, but Amon refused to do that. Instead, he sinned even more than his father. Some of Amon's officials plotted against him and killed him in his palace. Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people (Proverbs 14:34). God's purposes for his king is for the king to shepherd his people like his servant David had done. It seems peculiar that not very often does the apple fall close to the tree. King Hezekiah was a good king following in the footsteps of David, but his son was Manesseh who was a grave sinner until God brought judgment on him and he repented. Now, Amon who is the son of this repentant king, learns nothing from his mistakes and goes out and multiplies his errors. This king was so errant that even his own people called for his death. We will learn tomorrow that his son, Josiah, will gain understanding and offer reforms in Jerusalem and will find favor with God. Daily Prayer: Father, help me to learn from my mistakes and to teach your ways to my children. The Bible says that if we train up our children in your word, when they grow old they will not depart from it. Let it be, according to your will. Amen.

The depths & heights of King Manasseh (2 Chronicles 1-2, 4, 9, 10-12)

Manasseh was twelve years old when he succeeded Hezekiah as king of Judah, and he ruled fifty-five years from Jerusalem. Manasseh disobeyed the LORD by following the disgusting customs of the nations that the LORD had forced out of Israel. In the temple, where only the LORD is supposed to be worshiped, Manasseh built altars for pagan gods. The LORD tried to warn Manasseh and the people about their sins, but they ignored the warning. So God let Assyrian army commanders invade Judah and capture Manasseh. They put a hook in his nose and tied him up in chains, and they took him to Babylon. While Manasseh was held captive there, he asked the LORD to forgive him and to help him. When he prayed to him, he was moved by his entreaty and heard his supplication, and brought him again to Jerusalem to his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD was God. Manasseh was the only disobedient king who repented, either in Judah or in Israel. The history of the bad kings is they go from bad to worse, but never humble themselves to God and confess their need for him. Manasseh and Nebuchadnezzar remind me of one another. Manasseh was carried away to Babylon in hooks and chains and repented. Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, rejected God until he made him graze like cattle and then he also repented. His son never learned from his father and lost the Kingdom of Babylon to the Persians. Daily Prayer: Father, I am never too lost to be saved. Jesus tells me to come unto him just the way I am. In Jesus, I can find the righteousness that my flesh cannot do and forgiveness that nobody apart from the Son of God can offer. It is in his name I pray Amen.

All of Israel invited to celebrate the Passover (2 Chronicles 30:1, 18-21)

Passover wasn't celebrated in the first month, which was the usual time, because many of the priests were still unclean and unacceptable to serve, and because not everyone in Judah had come to Jerusalem for the festival. So Hezekiah, his officials, and the people agreed to celebrate Passover in the second month. Hezekiah sent a message to everyone in Israel and Judah, including those in the territories of Ephriam and West Manasseh, invitng them to the Temple in Jerusalem for the celebration of Passover in honor of the LORD God of Isreal. Most of the people that came from Ephriam, West Manasseh, Issachar, and Zebulun had not made themselves clean, but they ignored God's Law and ate the Passover lambs anyway. Hezekiah found out what they had done and prayed, "LORD God, these people are unclean according to the laws of holiness. But they are worshiping you, just as their ancestors did. So, be kind and forgive them." The LORD answered Hezekiah's prayer and did not punish them. The worshipers in Jerusalem were very happy and celebrated the Festival for seven days. The Levites and priests sang praises to the LORD every day and played their instruments. This is a great example of God judging the heart of a man and not examining the tablets of stone that contain the Law. The Lord is after heart felt worship for Him and love for their brother. When the kingdom was divided between Israel and Judah, Israel in particular suspended worshiping God by holding the passover, because the Temple of God is in Judah. Hezekiah who was a reformer set aside differences between Isreal and Judah and brought the people of God to the Table of God for worship and fellowship. Daily Prayer: Lord, let me remember the Law of Christ. Love you with my entire heart, mind, soul and strength. Also love my neighbor (brother) as myself. Against this, there are no laws. In Jesus name I pray Amen.

Pride comes before the fall (2 Chronicles 26: 16-20)

King Uzziah became proud of his power, and this led to his downfall. One day, Uzziah disobeyed the LORD his God by going into the temple and burning insense as an offering to him. Azariah the priest and eighty other brave priests followed Uziah into the temple. and said, "Your Majesty, this isn't right! You are not allowed to burn incense to the LORD. That must be done only by priests who are descendants of Aaron. You will have to leave! You have sinned against the LORD, and so he will no longer bless you." Uzziah, who was standing next to the incense altar at the time, was holding the incense burner, ready to offer incense to the LORD. He became very angry when he heard Azariah's warning, and leprosy suddenly appeared on his forehead! Azaariah and the other priests saw it and immediately told him to leave the temple. Uzziah realized that the LORD had punished him, so he hurried to get outside. King Uzziah had a long 50 year and very prosperous reign. He should have known that God will not permit unauthorized burning of incense, because Aaron's own son's Nadab & Abihu offered up unauthorized incense and were stricken down dead by God. The King is supposed to be about the law so when he took the law into his own hands, he as the king had violated God's Covenant and was removed from the temple permanently because those who are unclean cannot enter. The temple was the center of all religious life. Daily Prayer: Lord, the penalty for sin is death and nobody is holy before you. I thank you for sending the Son so that he can walk in a just manner before you and teach me true obedience. It is by his work that we can be saved and I have no other way apart from him. In Jesus name I pray Amen.

The Kingdom of Israel Split ( 2 Chronicles 11: 1 - 4)

After Rehoboam (Solomon's successor & son) returned to Jerusalem, he decided to attack Israel and regain control of the whole country. So he called together one hundred eighty thousand soldiers of Judah and Benjamin. Meanwhile, the LORD had told Shemiah the prophet to tell Rehoboam and everyone from Judah and Benjamin, "The LORD warns you not to go to war against the people from the northern tribes - they are your relatives. God home! The LORD is the one who made these things happen." Rehoboam and his army obeyed the LORD's message and did not attack Jeroboam (King of Israel) and his troops. It was because Solomon divided his heart against the LORD by taking on excessive numbers of wives and making sacrifices to other gods that God took the ten tribes to the north away from Judah and their king Rehoboam. God did not take them in the life of Solomon for his servant David's sake and he left behind Judah and Benjamin so that David's throne would have a descendant of David sitting there. God stops Rehoboam from recourse against the brethren because it was a divine punishment from God against Solomon. The kingdoms of Israel and Judah will not be together under one king again until the True King who is Jesus Christ makes his second return to rule over his people. Daily Prayer: Lord, divine punishment is a hard thing to endure. I know that the Christian is not punished because they are covered by the blood of Christ, but the Lord does discipline all who call themselves a Child of God which is the sign of your love for your own. In Jesus name and for his sake I pray Amen.

God advises Solomon to have the Israelites humble themselves and to repent (2 Chronicles 7: 11-14)

The LORD's temple and Solomon's palace were now finished. In fact, everything Solomon had planned to do was completed. Sometime later, the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream and said, "I have heard your prayer, and I have chosen this temple as the place where sacrifices will be offered to me. Suppose I hold back the rain or send locusts to eat the crops or make my people suffer with deadly diseases. If my own people will humbly pray and turn back to me and stop sinning, then I will answer them from heaven. I will forgive them and heal their land." The LORD's reply is that the temple is the symbol of his presence among his people and that he is willing to come to the aid of those who have recourse to him. He invites them to trust in him. If you don't leave him, he won't leave you. This is also the grounds for faith healing. Although sickness is not always a result of sin, it can be. When King Hezekiah placed his health in the hands of doctors, he was forecasted to perish. When he turned to the Lord, God extended his life 15 years. God doesn't want to be our last option, but our first. If you turn from known sin in your life to purify yourself and then seek his healing, his promise is that you will hear from heaven concerning your petition. Daily Prayer: Father, all too often the church seeks the advice of "experts." How can the church be a light to the world when we seek their remedies? Instead, I must confess my transgressions before you through the power of the Holy Spirit who dwells within me and seek your forgiveness and healing so that you will do what is best for me. In Jesus name I pray Amen.

David & Israel bless God Almighty Part 2 (1 Chronicles 29: 16-20)

Our LORD God, we have brought all these things for building a temple to honor you. They belong to you, and you gave them to us. But we are happy, because everyone has voluntarily given you these things. You know what is in everyone's heart, and you are pleased when people are honest. Always make us eager to give, and help us be faithful to you, just as our ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob faithfully worshiped you. And give Solomon the desire to completely obey your laws and teachings, and the desire to build the temple for which I have provided these gifts. David then said to the people, "Now it's your turn to praise the LORD, the God your ancestors worshiped." So everyone praised the LORD, and they bowed down to honor him and David their king. David is a man after God's heart, because David is a child of God. God loves a cheerful giver. As a parent, you have given your children money to buy your gift. Yet, you are please when they went out to shop for you, make a selection, and then wrap it up for you! While it was you money to begin with, it pleased you to see them with anxious anticipation while you unwrap your gift. So it is with Father God. He loves to see his children become excited for him! David is not only that favorite child of his, but he teaches his brothers and sisters to be just like him which compounds God's delight. God looks to the heart of his children to bring him satisfaction. Daily Prayer: Lord, I delight in my worship before you. I am convinced that I sin - less when I bring service to you Most High. Bring me into your presence and let me do for you all the days of my life. In your name I pray Amen.

David & Israel bless God Almighty Part 1 (1 Chronicles 29: 10-15)

Then, in front of everyone, David sang praises to the LORD: I praise you forever, LORD! I praise you forever, LORD! Your power is great, and your glory is seen everywhere in heaven and on earth. You are king of the entire world, and you rule with strength and power. You make people rich and powerful and famous. We thank you, our God, and praise you. But why should we be happy that we have given you these gifts? They belong to you, and we have only given back what is already yours. We are only foreigners living here on earth for a while, just as our ancestors were. And we will soon be gone, like a shadow that suddenly disappears. Let's examine the first 10 stanzas of this prayer. David's worship is public. His declarations are made in front of everyone. David doesn't utter his prayers, but instead sings them unto his God. He declares the greatness of God Almighty and this king calls his God the True King, not only over Israel, but of the whole world. Apparently he understood that the Messiah-God will come to save not Israel alone, but all nations. David recognized that God is owner of all things, so that when we bring our gifts to him, we are only returning a portion of what has been given to us by God. He makes the distinction between the temporal and eternal. We are temporary, only visitors on earth. Our eternal home is with God who loves us and has made a home for us with him where he is. Daily Prayer: Father, I am here only for a while before I return to you. My objective while I am here is not to be of the world, but to be sent out into the world so that all may come to you for life and salvation. My goal is to make you known in the world, so that they may bring you the glory forever and ever Amen.

David's prayer to God in response to being anointed king over all of Israel Part 2 (1 Chronicles 17: 23-27)

LORD God, please do what you promised me and my descendants. Then you will be famous forever, and everyone will say, "The LORD All-Powerful rules Israel and is their God." My kingdom will strong, because you are my God, and you have promised that my descendants will be kings. That's why I have the courage to pray to you like this, even though I am only your servant. You are the LORD God, and you have made this good promise to me. Now please bless my descendants forever, and let them always be your chosen kings. You have already blessed my family, and I know you will bless us forever. Supplication is the lowering of ones-self for the purpose of exhorting the Lord to carry out your petition. That is what David is doing in this first stanza. God has already promised him by his word that he will bless David and his off-spring. Now David begs for the promises deliverance. He states that the strong status of his kingdom will be a result of his relationship to the Sovereign God. He concludes his prayer with faith; the promise of God that he believes has already been accomplished and will follow him all t he days of his life. Daily Prayer: Father, your mercies are new every day. Like David, I say what I know to be true, but throughout the day the Evil One comes lurking seeking to have me depend on my own power for your spiritual blessing. Today, keep me from temptation to depend on the flesh and keep evil and the Evil One far from me. I pray in your holy name Amen.

David's prayer to God in response to being anointed king over all of Israel Part 1 (1 Chronicles 17: 16-22

David went into the tent he had set up for the sacred chest. He sat there and prayed: LORD God, my family and I don't deserve what you have already done for us, and yet you have promised to do even more for my descendants. You are treating me as if I am a very important person. I am your servant, and you know my thoughts. What else can I say, except that you have honored me? It was your choice to do these wonderful things for me and to make these promises. No other god is like you, LORD - you alone are God. Everything we have heard about you is true. And there is no other nation on earth like Israel, the nation you rescued from slavery in Egypt to be your own. You became famous by using great and wonderful miracles to force other nations and their gods out of your land, so that your people could live here. You have chosen Israel to be your people forever, and you have become their God. Five key concepts make up this portion of David's prayer. First he remembers. He remembers what God has already done. Second, he gives thanks for what God has already done. Third, he gives credit to God for what he has done. Fourth, he realizes that it by God's grace and not his merit that he has become king. Fifth, he exalts God over every other god. David's petition puts God in the center of his life. Daily Prayer: Father, you are my God, not so much for what you do, but for who you are. You raise me up every day, like a father upholding his son. You don't tally my sins against me, but instead give me opportunity to do well. You alone are God and there is no other. Amen.

The Book of Chronicles - An Introduction - The Ark of the Covenant (1 Chronicles 16:1-10)

The previous book, 2 Kings, ends with Israel and Judah in exile, a dark age for God's people. Now the Book of Chronicles which is written after the captivity, and summarizes Israel's history with emphasis on the people's spiritual heritage seeking to unify the nation. The author is selective in his writing as he highlights spiritual lessons and moral teaching. David's triumphs and not his sins are the emphasis of this book. The first topic addressed is the role of the Ark of the Covenant which is a sacred chest where God's Shekinah glory dwelled. 1 Chronicles 16: 1-10. Sometime later, David gathered everyone from Egypt to LeboHamath in the north. They went to get the sacred chest and bring it to Jerusalem whose throne is above the winged creatures (seraphim angels) on the lid of the chest. The chest was still at Abinadab's house, and when David arrived, they placed it on an ox cart. But when they came to Chidon's threshing place, the oxen stumbled, and Uzzah reached out and took hold of the chest to stop it from falling. The Lord God was angry at Uzzah for this and killed him right there beside the chest. This is a lesson in holiness. God is holy and sacred objects of worship are holy due to their association with him. David was angry with God from killing one of his servants, but David questioned if he should be the one to move it. David did well to place it back in its state of prominence, because in the reign of King Saul, the chest was ignored. But the lesson of holiness was a hard lesson and the Levite priests became the only ones who will handle the chest and its care. Daily Prayer: Father, I don't fully understand holiness because I myself am tainted by sin. I ask that you reveal true holiness to me so that in awe, I may come to understand. In your holy name I pray Amen.

Judah goes into exile and the temple is burned and plundered (2 Kings 24: 10-14)

King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylonia sent troops to attack Jerusalem soon after Jehoiachin became king. During the attack, Nebuchadnezzar himself arrived at the city. Jehoiachin immediately surrendered, together with his mother and his servants, as well as his army officers and officials. Then Nebuchadnezzar had Jehoiachin arrested. These things took place in the eighth year of Nebuchadnezzar's rule in Babylonia. The LORD had warned that someday the treasures would be taken from the royal palace and from the temple, including the gold objects that Solomon had made for the temple. And that's exactly what Nebuchadneazzar ordered his soldiers to do. He also led away as prisoners the Jerusalem officials, the military leaders, and the skilled workers - ten thousand in all. Only the very poorest people were left in Judah. Earlier, the Kingdom of Israel was led into exile by Assyria for walking in the ways of Jeroboam and not in the ways of their Lord. Now, more than a hundred years later, Judah falls into the same snare because their kings after Josiah cared not for the Law of God, but instead acted like the other nations. The ultimate divine punishment is removal from the land of inheritance. The Kingdom of Israel never returned to their land, but as we shall see, Judah will be given a second chance some seventy years later when the Persian, through the influence of Father-Go, will grant Judah the chance to return to their homeland jand rebuild their temple. Daily Prayer: Father, your mercies are new every day. I have learned that unless a man is "born again," he will never inherit the Kingdom of Heaven. It is necessary to be born of the spirit and not from the flesh, because the flesh and the spirit are at war with each other. This is what is known as baptism of the spirit, where I am permanently sealed by your spirit for everlasting life. Come Lord Jesus Amen.

King Josiah, a pre-figure of Jesus Christ (2 Kings 22:9-13

Shaphan the scribe went back to King Josiah and reported, "Your officials collected the money in the temple and gave it to the men supervising the repairs. But there's something else, Your Majesty. The priest Hikiah gave me this book." Then he read it out loud. When Josiah heard what The Book of God's Law was, he tore his clothes in sorrow. At once he called together Hikiah, Shaphan, Ahikam,Miciah, and his own servant Asaiah. He said, "The LORD must be furious with me and everyone else in Judah, because our ancestors did not obey the laws written in this book. Go find out what the LORD wants us to do." By far, King Hezekiah and King Josiah were the best kings in Judah. They followed in the pattern of David and sought God's council in their ruling of the kingdom. Josiah became king at the age of eight, but when he learned about God's Law, he tore his clothes with righteous sorrow. This is what Jesus was referring to at the Sermon on the Mount when he said, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, because the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to them." Jesus' teachings were at a higher level than the written law, because they captured the spirit of the law and God's will for his people. Daily Prayer: Lord, it is never too late to repent. Even though I may miss the mark over and over again, I can only recall that Jesus told Peter, "Do not to forgive his brother seven times, but I tell you seventy times seven. By receiving Christ my sins are forgiven and it now frees me to live my life in him. Amen.

King Hezekiah Prays (2 Kings 19: 14-20, 34-35)

After Hezekiah had read the note from the king of Assyria, he took it to the temple and spread it out for the LORD to see. He prayed: LORD God of Israel, your throne is above the winged creatures. You created the heavens and the earth, and you alone rule the kingdoms of this world. But just look how Sennarchib (Assyrian Commander) has insulted you, the living God. It is true, our LORD, that Assyrian kings have turned nations into deserts. They destroyed the idols of wood and stone that the people of those nations had made and worshiped. But you are the LORD our God! We ask you to keep us safe from the Assyrian king. Then everyone in every kingdom on earth will know that you are the only God. God replied, "I will protect it for myself and for my servant David." That same night, the LORD sent an angel to the camp of the Assyrians, and he killed one hundred eighty-five thousand of them. And so the next morning, the camp was full of dead bodies. It is good to know and to remember that in all of life's trials that the battle is the Lords! How many times have we said to ourselves, "If I try hard I can do it!" Jesus reminds us that apart from me, you can do nothing. In King Hezekiah's prayer, he was reminding God that he knows the source of his strength and was counting on him alone for deliverance. This is far greater than the Jews of the Kingdom of Israel who walked in the sins of Jeroboam and were carried by these same Assyrian soldiers into exile. King Hezekiah was one of the kings who followed in the pattern of David, because it was David who trusted in his God and was counted worthy for his faith. Daily Prayer: Lord, it is not only military battles where you are the source of my strength. In my daily life as I am tempted by Satan and his demons to stray from you, this too is battle, but it is spiritual warfare. Here too, the battle is yours alone. I cannot defend myself, but you have given the Holy Spirit to defend me and to comfort me. This is because greater is he who is me than he who is in the world. Amen.