God's Spirit In All 05.10.08

Hello My Friend/Guest,

It is Saturday May 10, 2008 and today we are continuing our studies on the book of II Kings. Please read Chaoters 21-22 in your Bible or Click Here to read. www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=II%20Kings%2021-22&version=9

Today we will read and learn about the evil reigns of Manasseh and Amon; Josiah's good reign; the Book of the Law being discovered; true worship being restored; and idolatry being destroyed. Today's message focuses on the importance of realizing that God's Spirit is in all who have trusted Jesus as their saviour.

Hezekiah was one of the best kings in the history of Judah; but his son Manasseh was even more wicked than Hezekiah's father Ahaz. "Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign, and reigned fifty and five years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Hephzibah. And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, after the abominations of the heathen, whom the LORD cast out before the children of Israel. For he built up again the high places which Hezekiah his father had destroyed; and he reared up altars for Baal, and made a grove, as did Ahab king of Israel; and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served them. And he built altars in the house of the LORD, of which the LORD said, In Jerusalem will I put my name. And he built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the LORD. And he made his son pass through the fire, and observed times, and used enchantments, and dealt with familiar spirits and wizards: he wrought much wickedness in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger." (II Kings 21:1-6).

Manasseh's wickedness resulted in Judah being defeated and captured by the fierce Assyrians. (See II Chronicles 33). However, after pleading with God the Lord permitted him to return to Jerusalem and be reinstated as king. This was an answer to Manasseh's prayers for mercy and forgiveness, as well as to the prayers of his godly father Hezekiah many years before.

God forgives even the most evil of sinners when they truly repent and pray for forgiveness. Upon being restored as king, Manasseh immediately destroyed the false gods and altars he had previously built and rebuilt the Temple's altar and returned to true worship of the Lord. But Manasseh could not relive the wasted years of his wicked rule nor even convince his own son to reject idols and worship the Lord. After Manasseh's death, his son Amon reinstated all the wicked, idolatrous practices of his father's earlier reign. "Amon was twenty and two years old when he began to reign, and he reigned two years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Meshullemeth, the daughter of Haruz of Jotbah. And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, as his father Manasseh did. And he walked in all the way that his father walked in, and served the idols that his father served, and worshipped them: And he forsook the LORD God of his fathers, and walked not in the way of the LORD." (21:19-22).

The third King mentioned in these chapters, Hezekiah's great-grandson, was noted as one of the most godly of all the kings. Josiah, walked not in the ways of evil as his father did, but walked with God. "Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned thirty and one years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Jedidah, the daughter of Adaiah of Boscath. And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, and walked in all the way of David his father, and turned not aside to the right hand or to the left." (22:1-2).

Though little is known of Huldah, the prophetess, she had great influence in Jerusalem. Hilkiah, the high priest and king Josiah recognized her prophetic gift and sought spiritual guidance from her. "And she said unto them, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Tell the man that sent you to me, Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will bring evil upon this place, and upon the inhabitants thereof, even all the words of the book which the king of Judah hath read: Because they have forsaken me, and have burned incense unto other gods, that they might provoke me to anger with all the works of their hands; therefore my wrath shall be kindled against this place, and shall not be quenched." (22:15-17)

God is no respecter of persons or sex in the distribution of His precious gifts. Unlike religions which disregard the equality of women, the Bible reveals a respect and regard for them as evidenced by Huldah, the prophetess during the days when the Word of God was discovered in the Temple, as well as the four daughters of Philip, the evangelist in the New Testament who also prophecied (Acts 21:8-9). Earlier God had said, "And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit." (Joel 2:28-29).

Today, God's Spirit indwells in each and every person who believes that Jesus died for us. "And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him." (Romans 5:5-9)

In today's message Jesus Christ is revealed through the prophets (II Kings 21:10). "God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;" (Hebrews 1:1-2).

Today's Psalm: 55:11
"Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me."

Today's Prayer:
Dear Lord,
Lord Jesus, I am full of gratitude today as I consider Your abiding presence in my life. You planned my existence in my mother's womb before I even drew my first breath. When so many people have come into my life and exited it throughout the years You have taken up residence and You forever rule my heart. When the path before me was unclear You have always gone before me sustaining me in my wilderness journey. Though all forsake me You remain faithful, and remarkable as it seems, even if we are faithless, You will remain faithful, for You cannot deny Yourself. Thank You for being my Supreme Savior and the Sustainer of my soul. In Jesus' Name.....Amen.

Have a great day and enjoy the rest of your weekend.
God Bless,

Christina

P.S. I apologize for not getting this out Saturday.

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