Day 241, 29th April: 2 Chronicles, 2 Corinthians and Psalms
Who are we going to be bold for?
By Esther Gardiner, Latimer Minster
Todays Readings Are:
2 Chronicles 33:21-35:19
2 Corinthians 2:12-3:6
Psalm 104:1-18
In 2 Chronicles today we are introduced to a man tirelessly seeking to honour God, and so someone who can inspire us. Though the passage begins with Amon’s short-lived, terrible reign, it goes on to focus on Josiah’s commitment to the Lord and the blessing he receives in return.
One verse that stands out is 34:3, when we’re told that while he was still young, Josiah “began to seek the God of his father David.” This is such a good reminder of the importance of having our own, personal relationship with God. While parents, friends, and church leaders can support us and be examples for us (like David was for Josiah, (34:2), we ultimately need to seek God for ourselves, and have a faith that is our own.
And look at what God can use us for when we put our trust in Him and live to please Him! We see a nation transformed as idols are broken and burned, and the temple is restored, ending with Passover being celebrated more abundantly than ever before (35:18). Josiah was bold for God and uncompromising in living for Him, and even when Israel’s future suffering was foreseen he responded by renewing his commitment to the Lord and praising His faithfulness. It must have been challenging but Josiah kept going, remembering God’s goodness in bringing His people out of slavery, and honouring Him as almighty.
It can be hard to stand up for Jesus in a world that derides him, so we should let ourselves be encouraged by men like Josiah. Paul knew how difficult it could be, and he’s honest in 2 Corinthians about his setbacks and lack of enthusiasm (2:12). But what we need to hold on to in these moments is his reminder in 3:4-5; that our confidence and competence come from God and not ourselves. Josiah was a minister of the Old Covenant, but we have the privilege of being ministers of the New – because of what Jesus did we have His spirit in us empowering our lives. The smoke and smell of Old Testament sacrifices would have dissipated after a while, but we are forever perfumed with the fragrance of Christ, the ultimate sacrifice.
Psalm 104: 1-18 is a great reminder of just who we’re living for… if we’re going to be bold for anyone, it should be the God who created heaven and earth!
——————————————————————————————————————-
Today’s picture was taken by…
Steph Rayner . Thanks Steph!
If you’d like to take your own picture to potentially be featured on the blog, then get your Soul Survivor Bible in One Year, and take a picture of yourself – and your Bible – at some interesting or colourful location. Then email it to us at editor@soulsurvivor.com.
The pictures will need to be a pretty good resolution (we use 640px by 360 px so at least as big as that), landscape photos work best and if you include the day of the reading in the picture then make sure you send it to us a good few days before that reading, so we have time to include it in that day’s post! We’ll credit all photographers!
