4.25 2 Chronicles 13-16

Kelsey McIlwain

4.25.20

2 Chronicles 13-16

Summarize what you read in one paragraph:

Today’s reading summarizes the reigns of two kings of Judah: Abijah and Asa. During King Abijah’s reign, he faced opposition from King Jeroboam of Israel. Even though Judah was greatly outnumbered, God delivered Israel into his hands because of his leadership in keeping the people of Judah faithful to their covenant with God. King Asa followed in his father’s footsteps, leading Judah to continually seek God wholeheartedly and obey his commands. Unfortunately, King Asa does not finish well. After 35 years of peace, King Baasha of Israel laid siege on the kingdom of Judah. Instead of crying out to God, King Asa immediately calls on King Ben-Hadad of Aram for help. Asa is visited by a prophet who corrects him on his unfaithfulness to God. Unfortunately, this lack of trust in God becomes a detrimental pattern for him and, after a couple years, King Asa develops a foot disease and dies.

What is one key verse?

2 Chronicles 16:8-9.

“Were not the Cushites and Libyans a mighty army with great numbers of chariots and horsemen? Yet when you relied on the Lord, he delivered them into your hand. For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. You have done a foolish thing, and from now on you will be at war.”

How does what you read change your vision of God?

Today’s reading gives me a better understanding of how much God values wholehearted commitment to Him and why. God has a flawless track record of being able to provide for our needs. That being said, He is limited in how much impact He can have in our lives when we waver in our faithfulness to seek Him out as our sole provider for comfort, strength, or whatever else we feel that we are lacking. Being completely obedient to God and seeking Him out not only honors Him, but also allows Him to provide for us and protect us from putting our hope in things that can fail.

How does what you read change your vision of yourself or others?

This helps me see how quickly I can disregard all that God has done in my life and run to other people or things for security. I want to be more aware of where I instinctually turn to get my needs met. Is it God or another person or thing that I’ve put my hope in?

How will you Go With God because of this reading? (What is an action step?)

I will Go With God by stopping to consider what my automatic response to facing challenges is. If it is to go to anyone or anything but God, I will stop and commit some time in prayer to lay my anxieties, fears, stress, etc. at His feet.

Where did you see Jesus in these chapters? (What made you think about Jesus?)

This passage made me think about how Jesus relied primarily on God to sustain Him during His time on earth. He was intimately connected to God and did not look to people to meet His needs, setting a perfect example for all of us.