God’s Mercy to be Seeked (Mar 25)
The final century of Judah’s national history reads like a bad dream. After Manasseh’s 55-year reign of terror and apostasy, even a godly reformer like Josiah is powerless to prick the hearts of the people, though for a time he is able to stem the external appearances of evil. But after his death the nation swiftly returns to its abominable ways. Oppressed and finally overthrown by the Babylonians, the people of Judah are slaughtered, their homes and temple destroyed, their city walls levelled and the survivors dragged to Babylon for 70 years. But in the midst of this doom and destruction shines a ray of hope. Cyrus king of Persia, issues a decree to rebuild the house of the Lord.
For Jews, Jerusalem represented their place of greatest failure. To stare at the rubble of what was once mighty Jerusalem, with its shattered temple and broken walls must have saddened God’s people. They had failed God; gone their own sinful ways and had been punished. Now through Cyrus, God was calling His people back to the scene of the crime, back for a second chance. Have you failed God in recent days? God is calling u back to repentance. Lord, we Seek Your Grace & Mercy; Lord, we Seek Your Holiness and Lord, we Seek Your Compassion. In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.
Lord, we’ll Seek Yr Grace & Mercy: Manasseh led the people of Judah to do more evil than the pagan nations whom the Lord destroyed. So the Lord sent the Assyrian armies and they took Manasseh prisoner. They put a ring through his nose, bound him in chains and led him away to Babylon. While in deep distress, Manasseh sought the Lord and cried out humbly to Him. And when he prayed, the Lord listened and was moved by his request for help. So the Lord let Manasseh return to Jerusalem and to his kingdom (2Chron 33:9-13). Lord, how amazing Your grace, forgiveness and restoration are. We praise You for Your mercy and loving-kindness offered so freely. We want to follow You, but when we stray from Your paths, help us to humbly cry out to You. And let us know the joy of Your forgiveness and healing. Amen.
Lord, we’ll Seek Your Holiness: Josiah was eight years old when he became king & he reigned 32 years. He did what was pleasing in the Lord’s sight… He did not turn away from doing what was right. During the eighth year of his reign, Josiah began to seek the God of David. Then in the twelfth year he began to purify Judah and Jerusalem, destroying all the pagan shrines, the Asherah poles and the carved idols and cast images. He ordered the altars of Baal be demolished… So, he purified Judah (2Chr 34:1-5). Lord, help us to be like Josiah who showed greater wisdom than many other kings who came before him, because he decided to seek You God and Your wisdom. We also realise from passage that You can use anyone from any age to make a difference so long as we are willing to listen and obey Your word. Amen.
Lord, we’ll Seek Your Compassion:
All the leaders of the priests and
the people became more and more
unfaithful. They followed all the
pagan practices of the surrounding
nations, desecrating the Temple of
the Lord that had been consecrated
in Jerusalem. The Lord repeatedly
sent His prophets to warm them,
for He had compassion on His
people… But the people mocked
the messengers of God & despised
their words. They scoffed at the
prophets until the Lord’s anger could
no longer be restrained and nothing
could be done (2Chron 36:14-16).
Lord, You are a relentless Father,
pursuing us in love relationship.
Help us to pursue You in response,
while modelling Your faithfulness,
persistence and compassion. Amen.