Daily Devotion

Three verse that characterise 2 Chronicles message of honouring the King of Kings are found in 2 Chronicles 7:14-16 where God appears to Solomon and says,  “if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”

In the original Jewish order of the Bible, the Book of Chronicles (including 1 and 2 Chronicles) is placed as the last book of the Old Testament because it summarises the entire story of God’s work through humanity up until that point in history: The first word of 1 Chronicles is ‘Adam’ and the last chapter of 2 Chronicles leads us to the return from exile (36:22-23).

2 Chronicles covers the time period from Solomon’s rise to the throne and completion of the temple, to the proclamation of Cyrus to rebuild the temple 400 years later. The book virtually ignores the northern kingdom of Israel because of its false worship and refusal to acknowledge the temple in Jerusalem.

In our chosen verses for today, God’s promise of healing and restoration reminds us of His endless love and mercy towards us. It serves as a reminder that no matter how far we may have strayed, there is always an opportunity to turn back to Him and experience His grace. We open the door for God to work in our lives and bring about transformation and renewal by humbling ourselves, praying fervently, seeking God diligently, and repenting from our sins.

Thomas A’ Kempis (1379 - 1471) wrote  “Jesus hath now many lovers of His kingdom, but few bearers of His cross. He hath many desirous of consolation, but few of tribulation. He finds many companions of His table, but few of His abstinence. All desire to rejoice with Him; few are willing to endure anything for Him or with Him. Many follow Jesus unto the breaking of bread, but few to the drinking of the cup of His passion.”

In the light of our text perhaps we should pray:-

Lord, in many ways, we have turned away from You. We dabble in evil and go to church on Sunday and expect You to bless our land and our families. Forgive us, Lord, for falling into deception and being halfhearted and lukewarm in our commitment to You. We repent of that, Lord, and ask You to give us the strength to stay on the path of righteousness. We seek Your face and Your ways, Lord, and we ask You to heal our land. In Jesus' Name, Amen.