God Uses Unlikely People

 Scripture:

““This is what King Cyrus of Persia says: “The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth. He has appointed me to build him a Temple at Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Any of you who are his people may go there for this task. And may the Lord your God be with you!”” ‭‭2 Chronicles‬ ‭36‬:‭23‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

Cyrus was the king of Persia. He was a pagan king of a pagan nation while God’s people were in exile. He told everyone that God had appointed him to build a Temple in Jerusalem and allowed God’s people to go back to Jerusalem for that purpose. He was holding God’s people in bondage when the Lord spoke to him. God chose an outsider to send His people home to build a temple for him rather than an Israelite.

Application:

When God has something that needs to get done, he will use unlikely people to do it. Sometimes they may not even know why they are doing what they are doing. God raises us and appoints leaders to accomplish His purposes in the earth. He is in control and will find ways we can’t even imagine to bring about His purposes. We need to trust Him more because we can’t put God in our little boxes.

Prayer:

Father, help me to trust You more and more each day. Thank You for sharing this word with me today. You are in control, no matter who looks like they are in control. You are above all governments, powers, principalities, etc. You are greater than any army or fortress. You have ways of accomplishing things that we can’t even imagine. You know my needs and my desires. I trust You with all of them.

Yours,

Jeff

Far Greater

 Scripture:

““Be strong and courageous! Don’t be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria or his mighty army, for there is a power far greater on our side!” ‭‭2 Chronicles‬ ‭32‬:‭7‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

Hezekiah was a great king. He sought with all his heart to please the Lord. When the king of Assyria was coming after him and threatening his people with destruction, he replied to his people and told them not to be afraid or discouraged because they had a power FAR GREATER on their side than the Assyrians had. He had confidence that God would fight his battles.

Application:

Sometimes, when life gets difficult and it seems we are not in a good position, we need to remember that a power far greater than whatever is against us, is on our side! We must remind ourselves of all the Lord has done in the past and in the present. God is far greater, far superior, far stronger, far more powerful, far better, than anything the enemy can send against us. 

Prayer:

FAR GREATER GOD, You are incredible! You are far greater than anything or anyone on this earth. You are worthy of my highest praise. Help me to walk with You and know that You will fight my battles as I delight myself in You. I long for Your presence and ask You to fill me to overflowing with Your Spirit. Help me to always see that You are FAR GREATER than anything that can come against me.

Yours Forever,

Jeff

Guidance from the Lord

 Scripture:

“Uzziah sought God during the days of Zechariah, who taught him to fear God. And as long as the king sought guidance from the Lord, God gave him success.” ‭‭2 Chronicles‬ ‭26‬:‭5‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

Zechariah taught Uzziah to fear God and worship Him. This verse says that as long as the king sought guidance from God, he was given success. The thing to observe is that seeking God’s guidance brings about success in all of life. God knows best what we need to do. Seeking His direction and guidance is the best thing we can do.

Application:

Many times it is easier to just go through life making the decisions that seem right at the time. It is sometimes easier to just do what makes sense rather than seek the Lord’s guidance on decisions we must make in our lives. God’s ways always lead to success. We must learn to seek His guidance, even when the decision seems easy to make. Direction from the Lord must be seen as a super valuable asset in our lives.

Prayer:

Lord, here I am once again asking You to guide and direct my life. Show me the things I am to be doing. Make clear the path before me and help me to be led by Your Spirit and not my flesh. Let me always be a seeker of God above all else. Open my ears and eyes to hear clearly and give me a heart to obey completely.

Yours,

Jeff