2 Chronicles 27-29

Click on the above Scripture to read today's Bible text.

Here are a few lessons from today's Bible reading...

1) Obedience to the Lord can lead to a very powerful and influential life. Jothan did what was pleasing to the Lord and consequently received the comments of 27:6, "King Jotham became powerful because he was careful to live in obedience to the Lord his God."

It takes all of us to be careful and intentional when it comes to living a committed and obedient life before the Lord. How careful are you? Do you live each day with the intention of pleasing the Lord?

2) Sin always leads us down a destructive path. Chapter 28 tells the tragic consequences of a king (Ahaz) who deliberately and unabashedly lived in direct disobedience to the Lord. He even sacrificed in own sons in a bonfire worship to the metal images he set up as his gods. He also closed the Temple doors so that no one could worship the God of Israel. In addition, he set up pagan shrines in nearly every town throughout Judah!

In verse 5, the Bible says, "Because of all this, the Lord his God allowed the king of Aram to defeat Ahaz and inflict many casualties..." God also caused the king of Assyria to turn on him and Judah, even after they were hired by Ahaz to help fight Israel. In spite of all this, Ahaz hardened his heart and still would not turn to the Lord. His common sense are lost. He turns to anything and everything but the true God of the universe! As a result, he died and was dishonored by his own countrymen by not allowing him to be buried in the royal cemetery.

3) A Godly mother changes things dramatically! Fortunately, in the line of horribly wicked kings, Hezekiah rises to the throne under the influence of a Godly mother! His mother is the daughter of Zechariah, a man of God. Throughout chapter 29 we see Hezekiah restoring Israel's faith in God and re-opening the doors of the Temple!

Godly parents can make a HUGE difference in the lives of others!