Over the past few months, we have been reading through and studying 2 Kings. If you would like to follow along. Please join us every other Tuesday Night on Teams as we travel through the book of 2 Kings with Ps. Katherine.
Here are links to the past recordings of 2 Kings
Here are the links to the Bible Studies by Chapter
Here is a great visual presentation of both books of the Kings!
Here are study guides to help you catch up!
1 Now again the anger of the LORD burned against Israel, and it incited David against them to say, “Go, number Israel and Judah.” 2 The king said to Joab the commander of the army who was with him, “Go about now through all the tribes of Israel, from Dan to Beersheba, and register the people, that I may know the number of the people.” [2Sa 24:1-2 NASB]
In 2nd Sam, when The Lords anger burned against Israel (2Sam 24:1-2), satan (1 Ch21:1-2) moved David to number Israel and Judah. David felt guilty (2Sa 24:9-13) after numbering the people and repented before God because a man only had the right to count or number what belonged to him. In Exodus 30:12-13, God told Moses that when he took a census of the Israelites to count the, each one was to pay the LORD a ransom for his life at the time he is counted. Then no plague would come on them when Moses numbered them. It was God’s place to command a census, if David was going to do a census it was only at God’s command! This was why David felt guilty after he had done the count.
A couple things I learnt reading this, today.
Father, I pray that today, we will strive to stay humble, keep our eyes on you and serve you all the days of our lives. We repent for any pride that has overtaken our hearts to make us believe that we have any place in the victories we see around us except to be obedient to you. You O Lord are the one who changes hearts and minds! We love you Father. Amen.
“Hide me from the plots of this evil mob, from this gang of wrongdoers. They sharpen their tongues like swords and aim their bitter words like arrows. They shoot from ambush at the innocent, attacking suddenly and fearlessly. They encourage each other to do evil and plan how to set their traps in secret. “Who will ever notice?” they ask. As they plot their crimes, they say, “We have devised the perfect plan!” Yes, the human heart and mind are cunning. But God himself will shoot them with his arrows, suddenly striking them down. Their own tongues will ruin them, and all who see them will shake their heads in scorn. Then everyone will be afraid; they will proclaim the mighty acts of God and realize all the amazing things he does. The godly will rejoice in the Lord and find shelter in him. And those who do what is right will praise him.”
Psalms 64:2-10 NLT
Can you trust God, that even in the midst of a war where people are out to get you… God Himself is still your shelter?
Please take time to meditate on this scripture and ask the Holy Spirit to show you how it feels to be secure under His shelter even when all your enemies surround you! He will fight for you, and protect you!
God bless you!!!
Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ ~ Romans 5:1
Have you ever been in a position where were wrongly accused and then someone came along and cleared your name? Was it in grade school…. when the class bully tattled on you to the teacher and moments before you were whisked off to the principle’s office your best friend stood up and cleared your name? 🙂 I’m sure you can think of a time!
The feeling of being accused is the worst!! How do I defend myself? Can I defend myself? Before man… this is a task? Before God…? How do we even begin?
To justify is to free from blame, to acquit (whitewash!) from guilt [Isaiah 1:18]. Jesus, by HIS BLOOD has already done the work of justification for us.
Celebrate being liberated from all the accusations of the enemy because he no longer has a hold on you and now you can come freely before God!
Feels good to be free!
That which has been is that which will be
And that which has been done is that which will be done
So there is nothing new under the sun
Is there anything of which one might say, “See this, it is new”?
Already it has existed for ages
Which were before us
There is no remembrance of earlier things
And also of the later things which will occur
There will be for them no remembrance
Among those who will come later still
Ecclesiastes 1:9-11
During my transition from childhood into adulthood, I like every other teenager; decided my parents didn’t understand what I was going through. The world I was growing up in was vastly different from the world they had grown up in. And whenever I would voice my observation on this matter, my mother would simply say “I have already been where you are trying to go.”
It was not until I was an adult and heard a young person in exasperation say to me, “You just don’t understand, you have never faced the kind of pressures we young people face today!” I smiled and said I understand much more than you think I have already been where you are trying to go.
Truly, there is nothing new under the sun, including the raging debate about being under grace versus under law. Every single time I have heard someone strongly hold to this teaching, I quietly observe their lives, and every single time I witness a person who proclaims to be a person who follows CHRIST JESUS and yet their lives look no different than those who do not know HIM or even those who deny HIM. These individuals have taken the precious grace of our beloved LORD GOD to justify living lives no different than the world. And yet this is not new.
Let’s take a look at Jude 1:4-7 from the New Living Translation:
I say this because some ungodly people have wormed their way into your churches, saying that GOD’s marvelous grace allows us to live immoral lives. The condemnation of such people was recorded long ago, for they have denied our only Master and Lord, JESUS CHRIST. So I want to remind you, though you already know these things, that JESUS first rescued the nation of Israel from Egypt, but later HE destroyed those who did not remain faithful. And I remind you of the angels who did not stay within the limits of authority GOD gave them but left the place where they belonged. GOD has kept them securely chained in prisons of darkness, waiting for the great day of judgment
Jude a faithful servant of our Lord JESUS CHRIST had intended to write a letter to the Christians between 70 and 80 AD about salvation, but instead, felt the necessity to deal with false teachers and false teachings within the Church (Jude 1:3), in particular the same perverted teaching which takes our LORD’S WORD concerning grace an law and twists it to justify living unholy lives. The grace of GOD does not give one the license to sin (Romans 6:15).
Those who truly have experienced the grace of GOD, through their love of GOD, easily follow the Law of GOD, for HIS WORD has been written in their hearts (Jeremiah 31:33, Psalm 40:8, Romans 2:14-15, 2 Corinthians 3:3).
I know that everything GOD does will remain forever
There is nothing to add to it
And there is nothing to take from it
For GOD has so worked that men should fear HIM
That which is
Has been already
And that which will be
Has already been
For GOD seeks what has passed by
Ecclesiastes 3:14-15
“[35] “Be dressed for service and keep your lamps burning, [36] as though you were waiting for your master to return from the wedding feast. Then you will be ready to open the door and let him in the moment he arrives and knocks. [37] The servants who are ready and waiting for his return will be rewarded. I tell you the truth, he himself will seat them, put on an apron, and serve them as they sit and eat! [38] He may come in the middle of the night or just before dawn. But whenever he comes, he will reward the servants who are ready. [39] “Understand this: If a homeowner knew exactly when a burglar was coming, he would not permit his house to be broken into. [40] You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected.” [41] Peter asked, “Lord, is that illustration just for us or for everyone?” [42] And the Lord replied, “A faithful, sensible servant is one to whom the master can give the responsibility of managing his other household servants and feeding them. [43] If the master returns and finds that the servant has done a good job, there will be a reward. [44] I tell you the truth, the master will put that servant in charge of all he owns. [45] But what if the servant thinks, ‘My master won’t be back for a while,’ and he begins beating the other servants, partying, and getting drunk? [46] The master will return unannounced and unexpected, and he will cut the servant in pieces and banish him with the unfaithful. [47] “And a servant who knows what the master wants, but isn’t prepared and doesn’t carry out those instructions, will be severely punished. [48] But someone who does not know, and then does something wrong, will be punished only lightly. When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required.” – [Luk 12:35-48 NLT]
Recently in the State of Washington and generally in the United States, laws were passed that are an abomination to God and His Word. If I have offended you with my first sentence, then I caution you as you continue to read. Please understand that it is not my intention to offend anyone… only to speak what is true. If the truth offends you, please take some time to pray and seek God’s Word for yourself.
When these new laws passed, I was outraged as were many other believers. However, today I stand corrected. You see… outrage is our natural inclination but it should not stop there. Our outrage needs to lead to genuine grieving for the state of this world and then a realization that all that is happening around us is truly a sign of the times that are upon us.
As Christians (believers in Our Lord Jesus Christ who identify with the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ for the saving of our sins who choose to daily die to themselves so that they can obey the Word of God in it’s entirety), it is our complete responsibility to know the Word of God and all that it has for us. Luke 12 above, speaks of the servant that is awaiting the return of his Master. In this passage, we see a servant that is actively waiting and watching. Have you ever watched for someone at the window? There is not much else that you can do when you are watching at the window right? A real watchman… Today, we can liken that job to one of a security guard or a guard at the gate whose only responsibility is to wait and watch for people who come to the gate.
We are called to wait and watch (Ezekiel 3:17-21) for Him and His return. We are called as in v35 to keep our lamps burning so that we can see His Coming and open the door for Him. Our lamps that illuminate our paths and us is defined in Psalms 119:105. Your WORD is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path”. Unless we are reading our bibles, we will have NO IDEA of what is going on around us.
Let me illustrate this point with this. When one converts to Judaism or Islam or Mormonism etc.. there is a period of required study to fulfill the conversion. Therefore the conversion process allows a person to be fully committed to the religion and start practicing the facets of the religion. However, when one comes into the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ… the one and only LIVING GOD, there is a careless nonchalant attitude toward our conversion. For most it stops at the act of receiving salvation and then is supplemented with periodic visits with the bible, peppered with sermons and books (not the bible). 1 John 1:1 says, In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God. If we don’t understand, absorb, read and consume HIS word daily.. Then what is the basis of our relationship with God?
Is it any wonder that Christianity has become a joke among many. Even pastors don’t know what they are doing anymore. Immorality, extortion, pride is abundant in churches and there is no longer a standard of holiness that anyone can follow.
In fact, we are so confused right now. Most Christians don’t even believe that the word of God is true in it’s entirety. Chapters and books in the bible are written off as being ‘meant for the old testament times’. Therefore leaving the entire Word of God open of interpretation… everyone’s individual interpretation. See how messed up we are! A quote I hear again and again is, “Only 10% of professing Christians actually read their bible”. It is no wonder we are so confused.
Let’s continue thru this reading with Luke 12:37-38 that speaks of the servant who is ready and waiting His return. So ready in fact, he opens the door for HIM. This is the servant who has not taken his eyes off the Lord, pouring through His word so that he would know when The Lord was returning. It is with this servant that He will enter and allow to sit at the Lords table and be served (Revelations 19:7-10).
Then we see in v42-48 where the warning is for teachers and leaders. There has been a sinful fallacy taught in churches over the last couple of decades that has lifted the leaders and pastors up to a level that is higher than the congregation. That is not only sinful but is also considered witchcraft (1 Sam 15:23). Be aware leaders… you are a servant of God.. no one is your servant. [James 3:1, Eze 34, Matt 15:14]
Know this.. as long as you still have breath in you. It is not too late. If your seed has become choked with the cares of this world and is now unfruitful (Matt 13:22), then repent and turn back to God. Examining our lives daily to ensure that we have not become complacent (Prov 1:32-33, Zephaniah 1:12) or lukewarm (Rev 3:15-16).
So the men of Israel took some of their provisions, and did not ask for the counsel of the Lord. – Joshua 9:14
I heard the following question posed “did you know that GOD spoke through an Egyptian Pharaoh?” As I searched my Father’s WORD to confirm this had indeed happen, I learned in 2 Chronicles 35:20-24 not only did this happen, but it occurred to turn a righteous King of Judah from a path of destruction.
When King Josiah came out to make war against Pharaoh Neco, the Pharaoh told King Josiah “stop for your own sake from interfering with GOD WHO is with me, that HE may not destroy you.” I was struck at the thought that this King who had followed GOD with all his heart and soul, and had led a nation in righteousness (2 Chronicles 34:1-33) could be interfering with GOD; and that this interference brought about his death.
I pondered this passage of Scripture for several days as I inquired of my LORD how could this have happened. How could a King who knew and loved The LORD from his youth, not know that he was interfering with GOD. And even when he was forewarned, he disregarded the warning, disguised himself and continued on his destructive path. My LORD showed me King Josiah did not inquire of HIM on this occasion as King David often did before he engaged in battle (1 Samuel 23:2-5, 1 Samuel 30:8, 2 Samuel 5:19-25). The Pharaoh was not planning to attack Judah; he was on his way to do battle with another kingdom (2 Chronicles 35:20-21). If King Josiah had inquired of GOD before he attempted to engage Pharaoh Neco in war, or even once the Pharaoh had advised him to stop interfering; he would have known that not only was he not in GOD’s will but he was actually interfering with it; for Pharaoh’s words of warning came from the mouth of GOD (2 Chronicles 35:22)
How many times have you not inquired of GOD, to find out HIS will in a matter, because you believe the choices you are making is a right one. I personally have experienced my LORD sending me to someone to warn them against proceeding with a particular decision, and I have sadly watched those who disregarded the warning go through heartache, disappointment and in some cases devastation.
We should never lean to our own understanding in any matter, we must always inquire of GOD, seek HIS counsel in it. HE has promised that when we fear HIM and do HIS will, HE will hear us (John 9:31). And once you inquire of GOD, patiently wait for HIS counsel; do not be like King Saul who did not continue to wait, but took matters into his own hands (1 Samuel 10:8, 1 Samuel 13:8-14).
Wait for the Lord;
Be strong and let your heart take courage;
Yes, wait for the Lord.
Psalm 27:14
Thank you for checking in with us here at Logos Church. We are excited to be able to keep up with current use of technology and hope to connect with all of our friends and families around the world. Please help us spread our Lord’s Work by simply spreading His Word.
Thank you in advance, and God bless you!
John 14:12 [NAS] “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father.”
Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of GOD.” John 3:3
Is it really necessary for us to experience this Spiritual birth? Why aren’t we just born into it? You see, when Adam choose sin in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 2:17), it changed everything for us. God initially created man for fellowship with HIM, in fact HE gave Adam and Eve everything they needed in the garden and they had no need, suffered no pain, experienced no death. They CHOOSE to reverse this when they sinned. Because of that we are all born into the same SIN(Eccl 3:2, Eccl 5:16. Eccl 9:5, Romans 5:12-16). Sin that caused both physical and spiritual death (Genesis 3:6-7, Genesis 3:19). Adam’s spiritual death brought separation from God (Genesis 3:21-24).
What does that have to do with me? If Adam sinned why am I paying the consequence? When Adam chose to sin, he was cast out from the presence of God into the world and so it is a curse that is upon each of us because we are born into this world. Jesus CHRIST then experienced DEATH so that we could have forgiveness for this very sin and be restored unto GOD (1John 1:7). To be restored is to be put back in the place where you ORIGINALLY were. Jesus died for us so that we can have the same blessing and promise of eternal life that Adam and Even originally had. Now, how is that possible?? When we receive salvation… do we get transported back to the Garden of Eden?
Not quite… but we do have a promise that when we end our temporary lives here on earth…. we will have ETERNAL LIFE… in ETERNITY. Let’s put this in perspective…. if you compare the 70 – 120 years that you could potentially live on this earth… with ETERNITY…. how long is that…? Try a mere breath.. if even that! You see, our lives on this earth are so temporary… even though we make so much of it. We are actually living this life in preparation for eternity! Worth it??? YEAH!! Eternity compared to a breath? Think about it!
God’s love and mercy causes us to be born again (1 Peter 1:3). How is this possible? It is a spiritual birth that we must experience (John 3:3-7). We must be born of water-cleansing through repentance (John 3:5, Matthew 3:11, 1 Peter 3:21). We are also born of the Spirit (John 3:6, Romans 8:2-4, 1 Corinthians 2:12, 1 John 2:29). We are born again through having faith in JESUS (John 3:16). Our spiritual birth we talked about above.. is when we believe in Jesus. You see, this is a LIFE CHANGING event! It is more than just a decision you make in a crowded room or at a big rally or with a friend… when you choose to believe that Jesus Christ is your Savior and that HIS death on the cross and resurrection took away death from you and washed away your sins… your life WILL change (2 Corinthians 5:14-17)! We undergo spiritual birth by believing in Jesus (1 John 5:1-5, Romans 10:9-10)… this salvation can ONLY be found in JESUS (John 14:6).
Now, when you are born again the righteousness of God is imparted to you (Romans 6). What does that mean? When you are born again, you are made right again in the eyes of God.. you are restored to what he originally had intended for Adam and Eve… you are given a chance to live out the life that HE originally made you for! Walk out in the newness of life (Romans 6:4, James 1:22-25, Philippians 2:12-15). This walk will not be easy as you walk in a fallen world… but when you walk close to your FATHER, filled with His Holy Spirit, and keep HIS WORD (the Bible) in your heart every day… it will be possible.
God bless you! We pray that this study has been a blessing to you… watch for the next study in this series of “BUILDING A FOUNDATION” called The Assurance of Salvation
