Today's Devotion
Wednesday, July 30, 2025
2 Chronicles 26
Pride destroys relationships, ministries, and opportunities. Uzziah followed his father, Amaziah, on the throne of Judah and in his walk with the Lord. He enjoyed incredible success due to his faithfulness. He was successful in war, construction, and farming. The Chronicler reveals his love for the land and for his beautiful gardens and vineyards. Sadly, Uzziah allowed pride to disrupt his great work in Judah and tried to burn incense in the temple. When the priests tried to constrain him, he rebelled and was punished severely with leprosy on his forehead. The disease derailed his reign and forced his son to take charge of the kingdom. The Bible reminds us continually that pride is a dangerous foe who will derail and even destroy our lives with a word, an act, or an attitude. Pride deceives us into believing that our plan is better than God’s; that our way will make us happier and healthier. It is a pure lie that leads to far less than God’s best in our lives. Pride can take the most humble, spiritual, and caring person and destroy all that is good and right in him/her. How do we defeat it? We do not, but God’s Word is the truth that overcomes every lie. We must read it, study it, meditate on it, and apply it to our lives if we are ever to have a chance against pride. We also need each other. Our church family should play a vital role in our walk with Christ as accountability partners and close, caring friends. Uzziah’s pride destroyed his life and ministry. It will do the same in our lives if we do not make the Scripture and fellowship a priority.
Help me, Lord, to fight pride by staying in Your Word and in fellowship with Your people. Help me to find grace and strength in You when I begin to feel too good for God and His perfect plan for my life.
2 Chronicles 26
Pride destroys relationships, ministries, and opportunities. Uzziah followed his father, Amaziah, on the throne of Judah and in his walk with the Lord. He enjoyed incredible success due to his faithfulness. He was successful in war, construction, and farming. The Chronicler reveals his love for the land and for his beautiful gardens and vineyards. Sadly, Uzziah allowed pride to disrupt his great work in Judah and tried to burn incense in the temple. When the priests tried to constrain him, he rebelled and was punished severely with leprosy on his forehead. The disease derailed his reign and forced his son to take charge of the kingdom. The Bible reminds us continually that pride is a dangerous foe who will derail and even destroy our lives with a word, an act, or an attitude. Pride deceives us into believing that our plan is better than God’s; that our way will make us happier and healthier. It is a pure lie that leads to far less than God’s best in our lives. Pride can take the most humble, spiritual, and caring person and destroy all that is good and right in him/her. How do we defeat it? We do not, but God’s Word is the truth that overcomes every lie. We must read it, study it, meditate on it, and apply it to our lives if we are ever to have a chance against pride. We also need each other. Our church family should play a vital role in our walk with Christ as accountability partners and close, caring friends. Uzziah’s pride destroyed his life and ministry. It will do the same in our lives if we do not make the Scripture and fellowship a priority.
Help me, Lord, to fight pride by staying in Your Word and in fellowship with Your people. Help me to find grace and strength in You when I begin to feel too good for God and His perfect plan for my life.
Weekly Archive
Tuesday, July 29, 2025
2 Chronicles 25
When Amaziah takes the throne, the potential for great times is before Him. The Chronicler tells us that “he did right in the sight of the Lord, yet not with a whole heart.” The new king understood God’s law and sought to follow it externally, but his heart was not fully surrendered to the Lord. When God tells him to send soldiers from Israel home, he obeys and enjoys God’s blessings. When he defeats the Edomites and takes their gods as his own, he reveals that heart that is not surrendered to God and opens the door for His discipline through difficulties. He even rebukes the prophet that God sends to confront him because he knows what is right but is unwilling to obey. Those who have grown up in church and learned the principles of God’s Word will always struggle with guilt and conviction when they choose to rebel against the Lord. While their heart might not be fully surrendered to Him, their minds are inundated with the truth. The one who knows the truth and chooses not to follow it is by far the most distraught person on this earth. Amaziah had the opportunity to do great things for God, but he chose a different path. God has great plans for your life, as well, but you must choose to follow Him with a heart that is fully surrendered to His will done His way. Have you forsaken the Lord, suffered greatly for it, and now seek restoration through repentance? Call someone you trust and ask for help in the journey! God is ready to forgive You and welcome you back to His fold.
Help me, Lord, to walk in Your plan and enjoy Your best in my life. Help me to always be ready to walk with a brother or sister in Christ who is distraught in their sin and ready for restoration.
2 Chronicles 25
When Amaziah takes the throne, the potential for great times is before Him. The Chronicler tells us that “he did right in the sight of the Lord, yet not with a whole heart.” The new king understood God’s law and sought to follow it externally, but his heart was not fully surrendered to the Lord. When God tells him to send soldiers from Israel home, he obeys and enjoys God’s blessings. When he defeats the Edomites and takes their gods as his own, he reveals that heart that is not surrendered to God and opens the door for His discipline through difficulties. He even rebukes the prophet that God sends to confront him because he knows what is right but is unwilling to obey. Those who have grown up in church and learned the principles of God’s Word will always struggle with guilt and conviction when they choose to rebel against the Lord. While their heart might not be fully surrendered to Him, their minds are inundated with the truth. The one who knows the truth and chooses not to follow it is by far the most distraught person on this earth. Amaziah had the opportunity to do great things for God, but he chose a different path. God has great plans for your life, as well, but you must choose to follow Him with a heart that is fully surrendered to His will done His way. Have you forsaken the Lord, suffered greatly for it, and now seek restoration through repentance? Call someone you trust and ask for help in the journey! God is ready to forgive You and welcome you back to His fold.
Help me, Lord, to walk in Your plan and enjoy Your best in my life. Help me to always be ready to walk with a brother or sister in Christ who is distraught in their sin and ready for restoration.
Monday, July 28, 2025
2 Chronicles 24
How can a person walk with God for much of his life and then turn completely away from Him? Joash had a difficult childhood and struggled to survive his grandmother’s wrath, but God was faithful, and he eventually sat on his father’s throne. While Jehoiada, the priest, was alive, Joash followed the Lord with his whole heart. He made temple worship a priority by first restoring it to its former glory and then constantly maintaining it. He led the people to walk with the Lord and encouraged them to honor Him with their lips and their lives. When Jehoiada died, Joash decided to listen to some counselors who walked in wickedness and determined to follow them. He built places of worship for idols and indulged in immoral behavior. He forgot God and his temple completely and suffered greatly for His bad decisions. Adrain Rogers, one of my favorite preachers, said this, “A faith that fizzles before the finish was flawed from the first.” His point is that a person who claims to walk with Jesus and then walks away was never truly a disciple of Christ. It seems almost impossible, yet we see it on a consistent basis. People will follow Jesus and then walk away and never return. The true Christian might walk away but God’s Spirit will not relent in calling him/her to repentance and reconciliation. Our church (and most likely yours) is filled with those people who have learned that lesson the hard way and now live in awe of God and His new mercies every morning. Do you truly know Jesus and more importantly does He truly know you? Salvation starts in the heart and then slowly works its way into our lives. As it does, He transforms everything about us so that we are fully dependent upon Him and cannot leave His side. Does that sound familiar?
Help me, Lord, to truly know You and to strive to make You known to the world around me. Help me to follow You all the days of my life as You prepare me to dwell in Your house forever.
2 Chronicles 24
How can a person walk with God for much of his life and then turn completely away from Him? Joash had a difficult childhood and struggled to survive his grandmother’s wrath, but God was faithful, and he eventually sat on his father’s throne. While Jehoiada, the priest, was alive, Joash followed the Lord with his whole heart. He made temple worship a priority by first restoring it to its former glory and then constantly maintaining it. He led the people to walk with the Lord and encouraged them to honor Him with their lips and their lives. When Jehoiada died, Joash decided to listen to some counselors who walked in wickedness and determined to follow them. He built places of worship for idols and indulged in immoral behavior. He forgot God and his temple completely and suffered greatly for His bad decisions. Adrain Rogers, one of my favorite preachers, said this, “A faith that fizzles before the finish was flawed from the first.” His point is that a person who claims to walk with Jesus and then walks away was never truly a disciple of Christ. It seems almost impossible, yet we see it on a consistent basis. People will follow Jesus and then walk away and never return. The true Christian might walk away but God’s Spirit will not relent in calling him/her to repentance and reconciliation. Our church (and most likely yours) is filled with those people who have learned that lesson the hard way and now live in awe of God and His new mercies every morning. Do you truly know Jesus and more importantly does He truly know you? Salvation starts in the heart and then slowly works its way into our lives. As it does, He transforms everything about us so that we are fully dependent upon Him and cannot leave His side. Does that sound familiar?
Help me, Lord, to truly know You and to strive to make You known to the world around me. Help me to follow You all the days of my life as You prepare me to dwell in Your house forever.
Sunday, July 27, 2025
2 Chronicles 23
When Jehoiada, the priest, decides to reveal young Joash as the only surviving son of Ahaziah and the new king of Judah, the people rejoice and prepare to dethrone the queen. Athaliah was not a good leader, nor was she kind to her people; therefore, when the people had an opportunity to dispose of her, they did. The new king was guarded heavily by the temple guards and celebrated triumphantly as the people marched the queen out of the temple grounds and killed her. It was a surprise to the queen that the people did not react well to her shouts of “treason” and to her leadership overall. Athaliah was not hated because she was a female; no, she was hated because she killed her grandchildren to ensure her spot on the throne of Judah. She was hated because her reign was more about chaos and less about peace. She was hated because she was not God’s choice to sit on the throne of Judah. Leadership is a key part of any local church and is vital to the growth of God’s kingdom. True leaders understand their role as servants and put the needs of their people ahead of their wants. They love those God has placed under their authority and strive to bring peace to their shaken and uncertain hearts. Athaliah was not a good leader, and the people’s response to her reign over Judah proves it. As you prepare to worship today, praise the Lord for the good leaders in your church and in your life. Praise Him for their servant’s heart and for the peace that they bring to every situation. Great leaders are gifts from the Lord!
Help me, Lord, to follow those great leaders You put into my life. Help me to praise You for those leaders and enjoy the peace they bring to every situation.
2 Chronicles 23
When Jehoiada, the priest, decides to reveal young Joash as the only surviving son of Ahaziah and the new king of Judah, the people rejoice and prepare to dethrone the queen. Athaliah was not a good leader, nor was she kind to her people; therefore, when the people had an opportunity to dispose of her, they did. The new king was guarded heavily by the temple guards and celebrated triumphantly as the people marched the queen out of the temple grounds and killed her. It was a surprise to the queen that the people did not react well to her shouts of “treason” and to her leadership overall. Athaliah was not hated because she was a female; no, she was hated because she killed her grandchildren to ensure her spot on the throne of Judah. She was hated because her reign was more about chaos and less about peace. She was hated because she was not God’s choice to sit on the throne of Judah. Leadership is a key part of any local church and is vital to the growth of God’s kingdom. True leaders understand their role as servants and put the needs of their people ahead of their wants. They love those God has placed under their authority and strive to bring peace to their shaken and uncertain hearts. Athaliah was not a good leader, and the people’s response to her reign over Judah proves it. As you prepare to worship today, praise the Lord for the good leaders in your church and in your life. Praise Him for their servant’s heart and for the peace that they bring to every situation. Great leaders are gifts from the Lord!
Help me, Lord, to follow those great leaders You put into my life. Help me to praise You for those leaders and enjoy the peace they bring to every situation.
Saturday, July 26, 2025
2 Chronicles 22
When Ahaziah takes the throne of Judah, his politics and religious ideology have already been tainted by his parents and Ahab’s counselors in Israel. He has almost no chance to follow the Lord and suffered quickly for his moral failures and idolatry. God used Jehu to rid Israel of her wicked king, Jehoram, and to deal with Ahaziah, as well. When his mother heard of his death, she killed all her grandchildren and reigned over the land. Thankfully, God used one of Ahaziah’s sisters to save one grandson, Joash, to continue the Davidic lineage on the throne of Judah. Amid all the chaos and destruction, God preserved a young boy and prepared him to be king. At our bleakest moments in life, we can rest in the reality that God has a plan. When life seems to have sucked the last vestige of hope from our hearts, our God is still on His throne and still preserving that remnant for future victory. I know it can be difficult to hold on. I suspect the people of Judah were beyond frustrated with the royal family and ready for a change, but they had to wait upon the Lord trusting that His timing was perfect. Are you there? As you struggle with anger, hurt, disappointment, or deep frustration, you can know that God is at work behind the scenes preparing everything perfectly for a new day and a new opportunity. Trust the Almighty and wait patiently for Him to work. He will not fail or falter in fulfilling His perfect plan in His perfect time.
Help me, Lord, to wait patiently for You to work in my difficult situation and/or circumstances. Help me to trust You even as I struggle with my own anger, hurt, disappointment, and deep frustration.
2 Chronicles 22
When Ahaziah takes the throne of Judah, his politics and religious ideology have already been tainted by his parents and Ahab’s counselors in Israel. He has almost no chance to follow the Lord and suffered quickly for his moral failures and idolatry. God used Jehu to rid Israel of her wicked king, Jehoram, and to deal with Ahaziah, as well. When his mother heard of his death, she killed all her grandchildren and reigned over the land. Thankfully, God used one of Ahaziah’s sisters to save one grandson, Joash, to continue the Davidic lineage on the throne of Judah. Amid all the chaos and destruction, God preserved a young boy and prepared him to be king. At our bleakest moments in life, we can rest in the reality that God has a plan. When life seems to have sucked the last vestige of hope from our hearts, our God is still on His throne and still preserving that remnant for future victory. I know it can be difficult to hold on. I suspect the people of Judah were beyond frustrated with the royal family and ready for a change, but they had to wait upon the Lord trusting that His timing was perfect. Are you there? As you struggle with anger, hurt, disappointment, or deep frustration, you can know that God is at work behind the scenes preparing everything perfectly for a new day and a new opportunity. Trust the Almighty and wait patiently for Him to work. He will not fail or falter in fulfilling His perfect plan in His perfect time.
Help me, Lord, to wait patiently for You to work in my difficult situation and/or circumstances. Help me to trust You even as I struggle with my own anger, hurt, disappointment, and deep frustration.
Friday, July 25, 2025
2 Chronicles 21
Jehoram followed his father, Jehoshaphat, on the throne of Judah and rebelled against the Lord and His way of life. He killed his brothers though they were no threat to him and led the people to follow the idols of Ahab and Israel. His rebellion and wickedness had serious consequences. He lost all respect in Judah. He faced constant wars and lost most of them, and he experienced a horrible, incurable disease of the bowels that was incredibly painful and led to his death. His eight-year reign was filled with chaos and stress, and most were glad when he was gone. Sin has horrible consequences that we sometimes attribute to bad luck or bad timing. The Chronicler does not mince words when he tells us that all this happened because Jehoram “had forsaken the God of his fathers.” Sin stole Judah’s peace, the king’s health, and took many innocent lives. It does the same in our lives, and it is time that we stop blaming everyone else or claiming the victim card and recognize that our sin is the problem. Is every difficulty or illness a result of our personal sin? Absolutely not! God has a purpose for those valleys in life, but sometimes we make them deeper and more painful by our rebellion and wickedness. Sin always has consequences, and we are all living proof. Confess your sin today! Ask God to fill you with His Spirit and walk in righteousness. When you honor God with your life, He is faithful to honor you with provision and protection. We serve a good God who loves us way too much to leave us in our sin and stupidity!
Help me, Lord, to recognize the chaos and stress that come from my sin and quickly repent of it. Help me to be filled with Your Spirit so that I can walk in righteousness and honor You with what I think, say, and do.
2 Chronicles 21
Jehoram followed his father, Jehoshaphat, on the throne of Judah and rebelled against the Lord and His way of life. He killed his brothers though they were no threat to him and led the people to follow the idols of Ahab and Israel. His rebellion and wickedness had serious consequences. He lost all respect in Judah. He faced constant wars and lost most of them, and he experienced a horrible, incurable disease of the bowels that was incredibly painful and led to his death. His eight-year reign was filled with chaos and stress, and most were glad when he was gone. Sin has horrible consequences that we sometimes attribute to bad luck or bad timing. The Chronicler does not mince words when he tells us that all this happened because Jehoram “had forsaken the God of his fathers.” Sin stole Judah’s peace, the king’s health, and took many innocent lives. It does the same in our lives, and it is time that we stop blaming everyone else or claiming the victim card and recognize that our sin is the problem. Is every difficulty or illness a result of our personal sin? Absolutely not! God has a purpose for those valleys in life, but sometimes we make them deeper and more painful by our rebellion and wickedness. Sin always has consequences, and we are all living proof. Confess your sin today! Ask God to fill you with His Spirit and walk in righteousness. When you honor God with your life, He is faithful to honor you with provision and protection. We serve a good God who loves us way too much to leave us in our sin and stupidity!
Help me, Lord, to recognize the chaos and stress that come from my sin and quickly repent of it. Help me to be filled with Your Spirit so that I can walk in righteousness and honor You with what I think, say, and do.
Thursday, July 24, 2025
2 Chronicles 20
Jehoshaphat learns of an upcoming attack from some powerful foes, calls his people together, and goes directly to the Lord. As he prays, the king reminds the Lord of His promises to His people and asks Him to fight this battle for them. God speaks through one of His faithful prophets and promises to fight for them. The king and his people do exactly as the Lord commands and found the corpses of their foes littering the battlefield. Their immediate response was worship! They recognized God’s hand upon the battle and praised Him for His majesty, might, and protection. How often do you say, “God is good?” When we are surrendered to Him, the Almighty provides daily victories that remind us of His unconditional, everlasting love and unmatched power. As the battles rage around us, we can pray God’s promises and wait for Him to do what only He can do. Our response to those God-moments should be constant praise and adoration. When the bill is miraculously paid, He should receive our praise. When the broken relationship is reconciled and restored, God alone should get the praise. When the car unexpectantly starts or an unexpected bonus slips into your bank account, the Almighty should receive the praise. He alone is worthy of such adoration for He alone has done the unexpected and unbelievable in our lives. God does not waste a battle; every single one is meant to strengthen our faith and intensify our personal and corporate worship. Judah watched God work and praised Him! Now, we must follow their example and do the same.
Help me, Lord, to turn to You with Your promises when the threat of attack comes my way. Help me to praise You for every victory and trust that every battle has a greater purpose than I could ever comprehend.
2 Chronicles 20
Jehoshaphat learns of an upcoming attack from some powerful foes, calls his people together, and goes directly to the Lord. As he prays, the king reminds the Lord of His promises to His people and asks Him to fight this battle for them. God speaks through one of His faithful prophets and promises to fight for them. The king and his people do exactly as the Lord commands and found the corpses of their foes littering the battlefield. Their immediate response was worship! They recognized God’s hand upon the battle and praised Him for His majesty, might, and protection. How often do you say, “God is good?” When we are surrendered to Him, the Almighty provides daily victories that remind us of His unconditional, everlasting love and unmatched power. As the battles rage around us, we can pray God’s promises and wait for Him to do what only He can do. Our response to those God-moments should be constant praise and adoration. When the bill is miraculously paid, He should receive our praise. When the broken relationship is reconciled and restored, God alone should get the praise. When the car unexpectantly starts or an unexpected bonus slips into your bank account, the Almighty should receive the praise. He alone is worthy of such adoration for He alone has done the unexpected and unbelievable in our lives. God does not waste a battle; every single one is meant to strengthen our faith and intensify our personal and corporate worship. Judah watched God work and praised Him! Now, we must follow their example and do the same.
Help me, Lord, to turn to You with Your promises when the threat of attack comes my way. Help me to praise You for every victory and trust that every battle has a greater purpose than I could ever comprehend.