KJB Daily Devotion – Following Jesus Through Every Chapter
Date: Thursday, May 05, 2016
Chapters: 1 Chronicles 29/2 Chronicles 1-2
Message: 1 Chronicles: Release The Power Of God
Hello My Friend,
The Book of 2 Chronicles is the fourteenth book of the Old Testament/Bible and contains thirty-six chapters. The timeline for these events took place approximately 1015 BC – 610 BC. The author of the book is Ezra, and the book was written to the Jews who were in captivity in Babylon for seventy years. The purpose of the book was to record the events that took place in Judah that brought them into captivity. What we are to learn from the book is that the blessings God gives to us comes through humbling ourselves and seeking Him in all that we do. “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” – 2 Chronicles 7:14.
As I was reading today’s chapters something grabbed my attention, while God chose Israel to be His people, He welcomed anyone to come to Him, no matter what generation it was. God did not limit His power, mercy, or grace to just Israel, it was for all who believed in Him. We may not realize it, but we, even believers, ignorantly limit God’s potential. How much more would He give us if we just trust Him and let Him use all His power on us. As David continued to prepare for his departure and hand the reins over to Solomon, he gathered everyone together for one last speech, where he gave great praise to God for all He had done for Israel.
“Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all. Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all. Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name. But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee. For we are strangers before thee, and sojourners, as were all our fathers: our days on the earth are as a shadow, and there is none abiding. O LORD our God, all this store that we have prepared to build thee an house for thine holy name cometh of thine hand, and is all thine own. I know also, my God, that thou triest the heart, and hast pleasure in uprightness. As for me, in the uprightness of mine heart I have willingly offered all these things: and now have I seen with joy thy people, which are present here, to offer willingly unto thee.” – 1 Chronicles 29:11-17.
“and in thine hand it is to make great,” God has never limited His power to just the Jews, He has always given His strength, power, and might to anyone who willingly offers themselves to Him, and has an upright heart. Upright, meaning honest and just. The upright heart is not perfect, but it follows a perfect God, and even when it gets defective, God always has a way to fix it because they willingly want Him in their lives. Today, God is still looking for the willing heart, one that comes to Jesus to give His power, mercy, grace, might, and everything else that is good to. “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.” – Romans 1:16,17.
Shortly after David’s speech, Solomon was anointed king for a second time, this time, all of Israel was present, after David died Solomon got right to work as David instructed. This is perhaps the only time we learn that the kingdom was set in order before a king died and the son followed the plan. Because Solomon feared God and followed his father’s instructions he prospered greatly. One night, Solomon got a visit from God Himself.
“And Solomon the son of David was strengthened in his kingdom, and the LORD his God was with him, and magnified him exceedingly. Then Solomon spake unto all Israel, to the captains of thousands and of hundreds, and to the judges, and to every governor in all Israel, the chief of the fathers. So Solomon, and all the congregation with him, went to the high place that was at Gibeon; for there was the tabernacle of the congregation of God, which Moses the servant of the LORD had made in the wilderness. But the ark of God had David brought up from Kirjathjearim to the place which David had prepared for it: for he had pitched a tent for it at Jerusalem. Moreover the brasen altar, that Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, had made, he put before the tabernacle of the LORD: and Solomon and the congregation sought unto it. And Solomon went up thither to the brasen altar before the LORD, which was at the tabernacle of the congregation, and offered a thousand burnt offerings upon it. In that night did God appear unto Solomon, and said unto him, Ask what I shall give thee.” – 2 Chronicles 1:1-7.
“Ask what I shall give thee.” You know, the amazing thing about God is that when you follow Him with an upright heart, He blesses you, and even asks you what He can give you. God knows everything we need and desire, and strangely enough He gives them to us (although not always how we imagine) willingly as we trust Him and give our lives to Him. Following God is not following a bunch of rules, God instilled the law of Moses to prove to us that our human abilities are incapable of doing that. He made it simple, “Love Me”, “Trust Me”, “Follow Only Me”. God knows we are going to mess up, that is what His grace is for, and why He sent His Son to die for us. Does that mean we are to live as we please and not suffer the consequences of our actions? From the mouth of Paul, God forbid. It does mean that God forgives our transgressions when we love Him. “What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.” – Romans 6:15-17.
Now with a new outlook, Solomon was determined to build the house of God as his father David instructed, he began to gather the best people along with those David appointed. Solomon sent a message to Huram, one of David’s trusted friends, that he needed some of his people, and he gladly accepted the offer.
“And Solomon determined to build an house for the name of the LORD, and an house for his kingdom. And Solomon told out threescore and ten thousand men to bear burdens, and fourscore thousand to hew in the mountain, and three thousand and six hundred to oversee them. And Solomon sent to Huram the king of Tyre, saying, As thou didst deal with David my father, and didst send him cedars to build him an house to dwell therein, even so deal with me. Then Huram the king of Tyre answered in writing, which he sent to Solomon, Because the LORD hath loved his people, he hath made thee king over them. Huram said moreover, Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, that made heaven and earth, who hath given to David the king a wise son, endued with prudence and understanding, that might build an house for the LORD, and an house for his kingdom. And Solomon numbered all the strangers that were in the land of Israel, after the numbering wherewith David his father had numbered them; and they were found an hundred and fifty thousand and three thousand and six hundred. And he set threescore and ten thousand of them to be bearers of burdens, and fourscore thousand to be hewers in the mountain, and three thousand and six hundred overseers to set the people a work.” – 2 Chronicles 2:1-3,11,12,17,18.
“And Solomon numbered all the strangers that were in the land of Israel,” There were not just Jews that played a part in the temple being built, willing hearts who followed God all over the world did. When you stop to think about all of mankind, how from the very beginning God was rejected by the very people who knew He was their Creator, you can see how God decided to put His name on one nation. As you can see, Israel is no different than any other nation of people, some believe, some do not, some reject Him completely. There has always been just one door to God, simply put, you believe in Him, worship only Him, and you are His. You sin, confess your sins, move on, and God will keep releasing His power, if not, He will let us figure it out for ourselves. Today, Jesus is standing at that door, and if you have not received Him as your Saviour before you see Him face to face, He will close that door and no one can save you from the torture you are about to receive. “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” – John 10:1,9,10.
Jesus Christ Revealed: Today, Jesus us revealed through the willing offerings that the people brought for the temple. Jesus willingly offered Himself on the cross to be a permanent redemption for all who believe in Him. “For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.” – Hebrews 10:14.
Today’s Prayer: God, I understand that the second I called on Your Son Jesus Christ to save me Your Spirit entered my body and now You dwell in me, just like You dwelt in the temple in Jerusalem so many years ago. God, I want to feel Your presence upon my life, I want to release Your power and give You my life to do Your will. Lord, I come to You with a wiling heart to be a faithful servant and a holy temple for You to dwell in. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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