2 Corinthians 13 "Examine Yourself"

“Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith.” (v.5)

Paul spent the chapters leading up to today’s passage vigorously defending his own position as an apostle. Now here in our text, he turned the tables and asked the Corinthians to examine themselves, whether they were who they claimed to be, true Christians. If they truly looked inward, and found themselves to be in the faith, then there would be the proof of his being a true apostle, as it was by his ministry that they became such.

Our pride can make it so easy for us to think we have all the answers, to see the faults of others or put them on the defensive to proof themselves to us.  As Christians, we need to continually look inward, examine ourselves, remove the plank from our own eye, then fall on our knees and ask God for His grace and forgiveness in our lives, that we might better serve others.

May we all take the Apostle’s advice and “examine ourselves”, before we point the finger at others. 

The Truth

“Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things.” (Romans 2:1)

2 Corinthians 4 "Renew The Inner Man"

“Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.” (v.16)

I find it very difficult to be around negative people who do nothing but complain about life. Their grumpiness, cynicism, doubt, and fear, create a depressing inviroment to be around. Positive people on the other hand, are a pleasure to be around. Their uplifting faith, hope and joy can be an inspiration when going through difficult times in life and inspire us to contentment. 

The Apostle Paul knew all about difficult times. He was stoned, beaten, shipwrecked, thrown overboard, and cast into dungeons. If anyone earned the right to be negative about life, it would be him. Instead, he chose to encouraged those around him to “not lose heart” by focusing on “the outward man,” but to focus God’s Word and renew the "inward" man through His Spirit.

Difficulties in life are givens. We will all struggle in one way or another. And yes, life sometimes just isn't fair. But, projecting that 24/7 can do nothing for our inner man. When going through tough times, Paul encourages us to, "Look not at the things which are seen, but to the things which are not seen." In other words not the temporal, but the eternal. To focus on renewing our spirits through God's Word. 

Then, whether grieving or searching for, His voice, His guidance, His direction, or comfort, the Word will always lift you up. 

The Truth: "Be anxious for nothing, but in all things by prayer and supplication, and with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6-7)

2 Corinthians 2 "Victory in Christ"

“Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ” (v.14)

Avid sports fans around the country identify themselves with “their team”, and especially after winning. Rivalry weekend in college football probably expresses this fact better than anything else. Brimming with pride, raising their finger in the air, chanting, “We’re number 1! Identifying with the team, the avid sports fan takes on the teams victory as his/her own.

As Christians, we too can participate in a great celebration because Jesus won the victory over sin nearly two thousand years ago. He paid sin's penalty by dying on the cross, and He broke its power by rising from the dead. Therefore, we share in His victory through faith and can take on that victory as our own, even though we didn't do a thing to earn it.

Thank God "who always leads us in triumph in Christ.”

The Truth

“We are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” (Romans 8:37)

2 Kings 25 "A Glimmer of Hope"

“So Jehoiachin put aside his prison clothes and for the rest of his life ate regularly at the king’s table.” (v.29)

We ended yesterday with a bleak picture of loss and sadness for the nation of Judah: no land, no city, and no temple. Some were killed brutally, others taken into exile. And we were left wondering if Judah would ever be restored?

Then, a new king of Babylon took the throne, Evil-merodach, and a change occurred. He released Jehoiachin, king of Judah, from prison. Scripture also tells us that Evil-merodach, “spoke kindly to him and gave him a seat of honor” in Babylon (v. 28), and that Jehoiachin was permitted a place at the king’s table where he ate well “for the rest of his life” (v. 29). Moreover, Jehoiachin was given a regular allowance to support himself and his family (v.29), sustaining the line of the tribe of Judah.

Here, in the face of utter darkness and defeat, we get a “glimmer of hope” for the nation of Judah. To those who knew the scriptures of God’s everlasting promise to Judah (2 Samuel 7:13-16; 1 Kings 11:39), this brought a ray of light into their darkness. Judah may have forgotten God, but God had not forgotten His people.

This glimmer of hope found in today’s passage will eventually lead us to none other than Jesus Christ, the Lion of the tribe of Judah. Of course, it would still be another five centuries of ongoing oppression under foreign nations, but eventually, out of that darkness, the Light of Christ would come.

The Truth

After the deportation to Babylon: Jeconiah became the father of Shealtiel, and Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel. Zerubbabel was the father of Abihud, Abihud the father of Eliakim, and Eliakim the father of Azor. Azor was the father of Zadok, Zadok the father of Achim, and Achim the father of Eliud. Eliud was the father of Eleazar, Eleazar the father of Matthan, and Matthan the father of Jacob. Jacob was the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, by whom Jesus was born, who is called the Messiah.” (Matthew 1:12-16)

2 Kings 24 "Judah Hits Rock Bottom"

“Surely at the command of the Lord it came upon Judah, to remove them from His sight because of the sins of Manasseh, according to all that he had done, and also for the innocent blood which he shed, for he filled Jerusalem with innocent blood; and the Lord would not forgive.” (vv.3-4).

Some people have to hit rock bottom before they will return to God. It sometimes takes loosing everything before a person can see the value in God’s Holy Word. In today’s reading Judah finally hit rock bottom and lost everything – their land, their city, their temple, and their freedom. The reason for Judah’s downfall: the egregious sin of its people under the leadership of Manasseh” (24:3b).

Rebellion, denial, transgression, un-confessed sin all lead to judgment, for God is just. However, He remains compassionate, forgiving, merciful, and loving, to all who call upon His name and worship Him in spirit and truth. If you or someone you know has hit rock bottom, pray that God will use the loss and sadness to bring true of repentance in their life.

The Truth

“For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death.” (2 Corinthians 7:10)

2 Kings 23 "Josiah's Covenant Example"

“And the king (Josiah) stood by a pillar, and made a covenant before the LORD, to walk after the LORD, and to keep his commandments and his testimonies and his statutes with all their heart and all their soul, to perform the words of this covenant that were written in this book. And all the people stood to the covenant.” (v.3)

Here Josiah makes a covenant in the presence of the LORD. Pledging himself to be the servant of God and to live in complete obedience to every requirement the LORD had given Israel. Once he did, the people followed, pledging themselves as well. This gave them one last great revival before God’s judgment upon the nation.

What a great example of how one man recognized his sin, turned from it, pledged to serve God completely and became an example for others to follow. You too can be an example for others to follow by your stand for Christ. Seek Him while He can be found, recommit your life to Him, follow His Word and be that Godly example to others to spare them from His judgment.

The Truth

 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16)

2 Kings 22 "The Lost Book"

Then Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the scribe, “I have found the book of the law in the house of the Lord.” And Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan who read it. (v.8)

Because of the long line of evil kings, the record of God’s laws had been lost. So when Hilkiah found God’s law and Shaphan read it to King Josiah who tore his clothes in grief and immediately began making religious reforms in his own life and throughout the nation (v.11). King Josiah recognized the book's value and ordered it to be read aloud to all the people of Judah (23:1-2). With just one reading of God’s Word, he created a revival that changed the course of the nation (23:3-25).

Today, many people own Bibles. They are displayed on bookshelves, coffee tables and nightstands – literally collecting dust in our homes (just as “the lost book” found in the house of the Lord). However, we can only be changed by the truths found inside. Therefore, we must read it, hear it and practice it. Then, like Josiah, it will change our direction immediately and bring our lives into harmony with God’s desires - even changing the course of a nation, if national leaders will do the same.

The Truth

“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.” (John 5:24)