Bible

2 Chronicles 10 – Listening. It’s That Important!

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Listening is not rocket science, but it can change the course of your life.

In 2 Chronicles chapter 10, King Solomon has died and his son Rehoboam has taken his place. The people come to Rehoboam and ask him to ease some of the heavy burdens of taxes and labor his father Solomon had imposed on them. They tell Rehoboam that if he will do this, they will be his loyal, committed followers.

Rehoboam asks the advice of the older counselors and they advise him to listen to the people. But Rehoboam doesn’t listen to these counselors or the people. Instead, he follows the advice of younger, more arrogant advisors who encourage him to increase the load on the people.

Consequently, 84% of his people dessert him. A high price to pay for not listening.

But here’s the back story. His father had the same problem. In 1 Kings chapter 11, God warned Solomon against marrying women from other nations, so as to not be led into worshipping their gods. But Solomon didn’t listen…setting the stage for what happened with his son, Rehoboam. (1 Kings 11:10-12)

Can listening be that important? Well, suppose your spouse has been telling you for some time, “I’m not happy. We need to work on our marriage.” If you choose to not listen to them, you could wind up with an unhappy marriage at best or a divorce at worst. And this will affect your children, their marriages, and their children.

Listening is that important! So, this week, make listening a big part of your everyday life. Listen to God through His Word and His Spirit. Listen to the people He’s put in your life. Listen, and it will change your life.

2 Chronicles 8-9 – When it Doesn’t Get Any Better Than This

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There are times in our life (though they may seem few and far between) when we look around and say, “It doesn’t get any better than this.” Maybe it’s…

  • When you’re on vacation and enjoying the scenery, the food, and the relaxation.
  • When you’re in your recliner, remote in hand, snacks and drink by your side and an afternoon of sports or movies on TV.
  • When you’re lying with a newborn snuggled up against you.

Whatever it is, it’s those times when all your problems seem to fade and you’re blanketed with a sense of peace and contentment…if only for a moment.

In 2 Chronicles chapters 8-9, Israel is experiencing one of those “it doesn’t get any better than this” times.

  • The nation is experiencing a time of peace and prosperity as it had never known before.
  • Their king Solomon was the wisest and wealthiest man to ever walk the earth.
  • The nation of Israel was building, expanding, fortifying, and dominating like never before.
  • The nations of the world were drawn to and envious of Israel.
  • There was so much wealth that silver was as plentiful as stones.

It would literally never get any better for Israel than it was at this time.

When times are going well for us, we should…

  • Realize that these times are a gift from God; a demonstration of His grace and love in a tangible way.
  • Be grateful and enjoy them.
  • Remember, nothing last forever, so be responsible and make the most of the time.

Such times should remind us to focus on God and respond to Him with recognition, gratitude, and submission. Be careful in the good times not to take them or God, for granted. Learn to be a good steward of the good times.

2 Chronicles 6-7 – Lord Fix THEM!

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When a couple goes to marriage counseling, one spouse is often trying to blame the other for the problem. But, for a marriage to be better, each spouse must take responsibility for their own faults and contributions.

This is where it gets difficult.

We’re good at seeing others’ faults, and we tend to believe that things would be better if they just got their act together. But, if we keep that other-focused mindset, things rarely get better.

In 2 Chronicles chapter 6, Solomon is praying to God about the people of Israel. He asks God to forgive them and take them back when they stray from Him and then ask for forgiveness. It’s as if Solomon is saying, “You know how they are God. They’re prone to mess up.”

Well, God responds favorably to Solomon’s prayer and agrees to forgive the people if they will turn from their sin, humble themselves, and return to Him. (2 Chron. 7:14)

But then, God turns the focus onto Solomon. God starts by saying, “As for you, if you follow me…” (2 Chron. 7:17) Then, God says, “But if you abandon me…” (2 Chron. 7:19) Its as if God is telling Solomon, “Don’t just focus on their faults. Start with your own personal responsibility to follow Me and do what’s right.

Whether it’s a team, a marriage, or a society…improvement comes when each person takes responsibility for their own faults. This is what Jesus was getting at when He said, “Why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have log in your own. (Luke 6:41)

This week…”Where do I need to take responsibility rather than hand out blame?” If you’re not sure, ask God to show you. Then do your best to deal with whatever he shows you.

2 Chronicles 2-5 – How to Accomplish Great Things

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On July 21, 1969, Neil Armstrong put the first footprint on the surface of the moon. Think of how insurmountable this goal must have seemed at the time.

  • It had never been done.
  • We didn’t even know if it could be done.
  • There were mountains of decisions and calculations to be made and remade.
  • There were equipment and parts to be created that had never existed before.
  • There were unknowns never encountered.
  • And all of this was done using slide rules and computers which, by today’s standards, were as archaic as the Wright brothers’ first airplane.

In 2 Chronicles chapters 2-5, Solomon undertakes a massive building project that may seem simple to us, but to Solomon, it must have seemed as overwhelming as putting a man on the moon.

How was Solomon able to accomplish this great thing with no computers and no construction equipment? Some would attribute it to wealth, authority, and power. But he did it with three basic steps:

  • “Solomon decided…” – (2 Chron. 2:1) Every great accomplishment begins with a decision to commit yourself to the task at hand.
  • “So Solomon began…” – (2 Chron. 3:1) Decisions are nothing if they are not backed up by action.
  • “So Solomon finished…” – (2 Chron. 5:1) Once you act on your decision, you must continue to act on that decision until it’s a reality.

How many people decide to do something great, but then never get around to starting? Or how many people start something great, only to give up before completing it?

So what great thing do you want to do? Whatever it is, you will never do it unless you decide to, begin to, and continue to until it’s finished.

 

2 Chronicles 1 – A Single Wish

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If you had three wishes, what would you wish for? This question has fueled many a daydream for both children and adults.

Such a question is posed to King Solomon in 2 Chronicles chapter 1. But this time, Solomon is given only one wish. And it’s not a daydream. It’s a real offer from a real God.

After Solomon demonstrates tremendous loyalty and dedication to God in 2 Chronicles 1:6, God gives Solomon a blank check. Then, the space between verse 7 and verse 8 builds with uncertain anticipation as to what Solomon will choose.

Let’s be honest. When you and I are presented with the three wishes question, our inclination is to choose things that would benefit us. We might use one of the wishes to help others, but the other two are for us! This is tendency goes all the way back to the Garden of Eden.

But in 2 Chronicles chapter 1, Solomon spends his one and only wish on the good of others and the glory of God. He asks for wisdom to guide God’s people well. And because of this, God not only grants Solomon’s request for wisdom, He adds in all the personal benefits Solomon had not asked for…such as wealth and honor.

For some, this story sounds too much like a fairy tale, and so they dismiss it. But the power of the story is not in Solomon’s wish but in the condition of his heart. The wish reveals the heart, and the heart reveals the character. It’s what the Apostle Paul talks about in Philippians 2:3-5, where he says…

Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.

So…if you had a single wish, what would you wish for? And what would that wish say about your heart and character?

1 Chronicles 29 – Use Your Superpower Wisely

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As a kid, I loved reading comic books about superheroes and dreaming about having superpowers and special abilities.

I still read superhero comic books as an adult and have come to believe that people can have special abilities. Oh, they might not be able to fly or shoot laser rays from their eyes, but everyone has a special ability or two that can change situations and help others.

One special ability we all have is the ability to set the tone or atmosphere for what’s going on around us. Think of it…

  • A wife has the power to change the atmosphere and the attitude of her husband just in how she greets him when he comes home.
  • A father can change the attitude and outlook of a son who struck out in how he interacts and responds to the son after the game.
  • A friend can change the hopelessness of a grieving friend just by their presence and reassurance.

To change the very atmosphere of another through our presence, our words, and our actions…that is a superpower!

In 1 Chronicles chapter 29, we see David using his ability to set the tone for Solomon’s future kingdom. First, he sets an atmosphere through his actions. (1 Chron. 29:2-5) David’s actions of generosity impact the people so much they follow his example and give generously. Then, David sets an atmosphere through his words. (1 Chron. 29:10-19) David’s words toward God are so honest and passionate the people passionately worship and praise God.

We often believe the special ability to set the tone and atmosphere of others is given only to charismatic people. But we each possess this special ability. In fact, we can’t turn it off! This power is always at work…for the good or the no-so-good.

So use your superpower wisely. Because, as Spiderman was once told, “With great power comes great responsibility.”

1 Chronicles 28 – How to Accomplish More

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How do they do it? The movers. The shakers. The accomplishers. The Bill Gates. The Steve Jobs. The Walt Disneys. The Jeff Bazos. How do they do it?

In 1 Chronicles chapter 28, we’re privileged to listen in as one accomplisher hands down instructions to his successor. King David, the shepherd boy turned world-renowned leader, shares with his son Solomon what he needs to know to successfully carry on the work.

First, David covers the personal aspect of being an accomplisher.

He reminds Solomon to not forget personal history. David reminds Solomon of how God has been active in their personal history. (1 Chron. 28:2-7)

Then, David points to the need for personal growth. He urges Solomon to know the God of his ancestors, worship God personally, and serve God with a whole heart and a willing mind.

In the second half of the chapter, David moves from the personal aspect of being an accomplisher to the project aspect of being an accomplisher.

He points to project preparation. In 1 Chron. 28:11-19, David gives Solomon all the advance plans and preparations he (David) had made. David had spent time planning and preparing for every part of the project…long before the project actually got underway.

And finally, David points to project growth. He encourages Solomon not to get overwhelmed or discouraged by the size of the work, but rather to courageously move forward in the work, trusting God for guidance and completion.

Though we may never rule a nation, plan a battle, or build a major edifice, everything we need to accomplish can come to pass if we follow David’s example: (1) remember our personal history, (2) commit to personal growth, (3) prepare for the project ahead of us, and (4) consistently push toward project growth rather than getting overwhelmed or discouraged.

So, if you want to be more of an accomplisher, I encourage you to follow these four strategies of David.

1 Chronicles 23-27 – If Organization Is Not Your Thing

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Some people are organizers and some are not. A person who is not very organized is probably not suited to be an accountant, and a very organized person may not be suited for a position requiring a lot of creativity and inventiveness…like art, comedy, etc.

1 Chronicles chapters 23-27 may seem boring and tedious to read, but they show King David setting up a strong organizational structure by applying three concepts of organization.

The first key to organization is DIVISION. When you look at everything that needs to be done, it can seem overwhelming. But dividing it into parts will make it more manageable. As the old saying goes, “Inch by inch is a cinch. Yard by yard is hard.”

The second key to organization is DELEGATION. You can’t be responsible for all the parts yourself. If you tried, you couldn’t do a quality job on all of them. You must seek out the right people for the right jobs and delegate. In 1 Chronicles 23-27, tasks are delegated both by capability and by “sacred lots.” The first relies on the person’s ability to do the job and the second relies on God to bring the right person for the job. Both are important.

And finally, the third key to organization is DEDICATION. Both the delegated and the delegator must be dedicated to the part they play. The delegated must be dedicated to carrying out their job to the best of their ability. And the delegator must be dedicated to following, supporting, and encouraging the delegated. This helps the organization run smoothly and creates camaraderie and loyalty between the delegator and the delegated.

These three concepts require ongoing effort to maintain. If you’re a natural organizer, they are probably second nature to you. If you’re not a natural organizer, you must exercise a conscious effort to remember and implement them. But, if you aspire to leadership and want to accomplish more, you must grow in these areas.

So, how are you doing, and which one do you need to Improve?

1 Chronicles 22 – What Are You Leaving Behind?

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In volleyball, there’s something called the “setup” where one player sets the ball in a good position for their teammate to score. In the setup, one player foregoes scoring making it possible for another to successfully score.

In 1 Chronicles chapter 22, David is making preparation, not for his success, but for his son’s success. Though David desired to build a temple for God, God gave that responsibility to his son, Solomon. So, David determined he would prepare and provide what was necessary for his son to be successful in carrying out that responsibility. David not only provided the materials of gold, silver, cedar, and stone; but he also provided story (1 Chron. 22:7-10) and wisdom (1 Chron. 22:13) to Solomon.

We need to learn from this example. We live in an age where everyone seems to be looking out for themselves and their own causes. This is can be an unproductive and dangerous norm to follow for it shows little concern for the generations to follow.

Yes, we need to see to our own needs, but we also need to be working for those who come after us. We need to leave a positive legacy for the next generation. One that will help them rather than hurt them.

What are you leaving behind, spiritually, relationally, emotionally, and materially for those who will come after you? Are you contributing to the building of the next generation, or are you consumed with your own stuff? What’s one thing you can do to pour into the next generation?

1 Chronicles 18-21 – Regular Maintenance Required

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Everything in life must be kept up and maintained. We don’t think about maintenance when things are new and running well. But, a lack of maintenance will lead to a gradual and eventual breakdown. And this is true of our relationship with God.

Our relationship with God requires regular maintenance. God warned His people about this prior to their entering the Promised Land. (Deut. 4:1-14) (Deut. 6:10-13.)

But neglecting to maintain a relationship with God is just what happens in 1 Chronicles chapters 18-21. In chapter 18, David seems unstoppable. He’s winning one military victory after another, fighting shoulder to shoulder with his men while honoring God and giving Him credit for the victories.

But in chapter 20, there is a subtle shift in David and his approach.

  • Instead of going to battle with his men, David stays home.
  • After David’s commander leads the army to victory, David comes out and proudly puts the defeated king’s crown on his own head…taking credit for the victory.
  • David also takes a large amount of plunder, but this time there is nothing said about dedicating it to God.

David’s subtle downward slide culminates in him calling for a census of able body soldiers. This seems like a small thing, but God had not asked David to take a census. David’s victories were dependent on God, not David’s troop count. The census was merely David pridefully basking in his successes.

Though God eventually corrected David, David’s lack of maintenance in his relationship with God eventually caused him and those around him great pain.

With God, as with life, neglecting maintenance can go unseen for a while, but the eventual need for correction will come. And correction can be jarring and very costly. So, when it comes to your relationship with God, pay attention to the daily maintenance and you won’t have to scramble and panic trying to repair a broken relationship.