Why did Jesus say to pray for daily bread? It fosters humility, dependence, and a lifetime of thankfulness. King Uzziah’s successes piled up. He had victories in foreign wars (2 Chron 26:2-8). His building projects were legion. “He built Elath” (v 2), and “built towers in Jerusalem at the Corner Gate, at the Valley Gate, and at the […]
How is this statue a good analogy of what the Christian’s goal for 2025 should be? May we not only “see the Lord” but allow the Lord to be seen in us this year. […]
It’s not the years in your life that count but the life in those years—and that life comes from God. There isn’t much more to say about Amaziah. He “turned away from following the Lord” (2 Chron 25:27), and in short order, Judah turned away from following him. “They made a conspiracy against him in Jerusalem, and he […]
What can keep the new year from becoming the “same old same old”? How about a handful (that’s 5) new things to unwrap and enjoy for the next 365–or at least until the Shout. […]
I often recall my father warning me in my teens, “Without the Lord, you’re no match for the devil.” Unless you know everything, one sure path to failure is listening only to advisors who agree with you. An echo chamber is “an environment where a person only encounters opinions that reflect and reinforce his or […]
The man whose name means “the strength of God” goes it alone and arranges his own demolition. Amaziah seems to be writing us a manual on The Top Ten Blunders of Unsuccessful People. It was a bad idea to seek the help of men rather than God by hiring the Israelites. Now “Amaziah discharged the troops […]
Loyal hearts are characterized by saying, “Yes, Lord,” in every circumstance, whatever the consequences. So the bad brothers (Zabad the son of Shimeath the Ammonitess, and Jehozabad the son of Shimrith the Moabitess) murdered Joash in his bed. It’s probably not a great idea to have unconverted Ammonites and Moabites in your inner circle! “Then Amaziah his son […]
“Do not avenge yourselves,…for it is written, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord” (Rom 12:19). The biblical writers had a wonderful way of melding time with consequence. Listen to the next phrase in the ongoing drama. “So it happened…” (2 Chron 24:23). We know what happened before this. Like a vine ripe with God’s blessing […]