RTW August 26

A Change Of Perspective

So the message of the LORD spoken through Jeremiah was fulfilled. The land finally enjoyed its Sabbath rest, lying desolate until the seventy years were fulfilled, just as the prophet had said.
2 Chronicles 36:21

 

 

My Takeaways

Something Old

The captain of the guard allowed some of the poorest to stay behind in Judah to care for the vineyards and fields.  (2 Kings 25:12)

It is hard to be the one left behind.

“Sometimes poverty is a protection.” – Unknown

Left of the poor (KJV) — So while the rich were prisoners in a strange land, the poor had liberty and peace in their own country! Thus providence sometimes humbles the proud, and favors them of low degree.

Something New

Sometimes it takes destruction to bring us to peace and rest.  When the wave of uncertainty settles, in our desolate surrounding, there can be rest. What if we changed our perspective on destruction.

What if we looked at destruction as:

  • the beginning of rebuilding, rather than the beginning of the end
  • a time redirection, rather than disorder
  • monitored sovereignly, rather than haphazardly directed

Something to Do

Change my perspective on destruction… WOW!

 

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2 Comments

  1. Very powerful and beautiful lesson and so applicable to my life right now!! Yes it took destruction to bring me to peace and rest. I can already taste it much better than before. It is the beginning of rebuilding and I am so very thankful for that. Pride needed to be destructed in my life, self seeking needed to be destructed. I was not even aware how much I wandered from God, accepting things that are not acceptable and compromising in ways I would never even thought of before, making of reasons to make it all “work” for myself to not feel guilty. I am so glad I am done with that now. I am still not done in terms that there is no struggle left. There is.. There is still much work to do. But I am done with thinking that I can handle things on my own and that I know and feel what is best for me. I completely forgot that God knows whats best for me because He made me and has the better picture…. Thank God for redemption, new beginnings and mercy!!!

  2. My Takeaways: Honor God

    Something Old: According to the law of the Sabbath Year the land was to be given rest every seventh year (Leviticus 25:1-7; 26:27-46). The people could only farm for six years at a time. So I found it interesting that at the end of 2 Chronicles, I read: “… The land finally enjoyed its Sabbath rest, lying desolate until the seventy years were fulfilled, just as the prophet had said.” (36:21). There was a lot of evil going on during this time. It seemed most people forgot to keep more laws, then just idolatry. They just couldn’t grasp that God’s laws were meant to be kept for their own good.The people had not honored the law of the Sabbath year for a long time. Ignoring something that God commanded is never good. God knows all. One way or another God would keep the people accountable to His laws. God held them accountable and the people were exiled for 70 years. This finally let the land rest, just as God had commanded. God doesn’t change! He always works things out for the plans he has made . God exiled the people in order to let the land rest for 70 years. One way or another, the Lord keeps His people accountable to His laws. His laws cannot be neglected without consequences. This helps me to remember to follow all His ways, not just the ones that are easy. Proverbs 10:29: “The way of the Lord is a stronghold to those with integrity, but it destroys the wicked.”

    Something New: My reading in chapter 39 started on a sad note today-the fall of Jerusalem. What the prophets had predicted and God promised finally came true, as the Babylonians broke through the city gates, tore down the walls, burned the buildings, and exiled those who were not killed in battle. The wickedness of Judah finally got what they deserved. The end of chapter 39 was much more positive though. “Because you trusted me, I will give you your life as a reward. I will rescue you and keep you safe. I, the LORD, have spoken!” (Verse18).
    Ebed-Melech had been singled out by God for blessing! God addresses his fears and assures him of deliverance. Though Ebed-Melech was just a minor character in the Old Testament he showed bold trust in God and faithful obedience, even at great personal risk. His story encourages me to do what is right even when those around me would oppose. Ebed-Melech reminded me that faithfulness to God often involves personal—and often costly—choices. But when I remain faithful I will reap fine rewards, sometimes in this life, as in the case of Ebed-Melech and always in the life to come. Thank you, God, for the example of Ebed-Melech.

    Something To Do: Honor God in all I do, so I am confident that my actions will always glorify Him.

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