Ahaz, a wicked ruler

2 Chronicles Chapter 28

Ahaz, son of Jotham, became king at the age of of twenty and reigned for sixteen years. He did not do what was pleasing in the sight of the Lord. He worshipped idols and sacrificed his own sons in the fires. This is why the Lord allowed king Aram to defeat Ahaz and exile large numbers of his people to Damascus.

But a prophet of the Lord named Oded was in Samaria when the army of Israel returned home. He met them with the news that the Lord was angry and let them defeat Judah. But killing the people without mercy disturbed all of heaven. And now the captured people would be slaves which Oded feared and told them the Lord's anger would turn against them.

Some of the leaders of Isreal agreed with the prophet and asked that the prisoers not be brought to Jerusalem. So the warriors released the prisoners and handed over the plunder in the sight of all the leaders and people. Then four men came forward and offered the prisoners, clothing and food and drink and dressed their wounds. And the prisoners who could walk were taken back to Jericho.

King Ahaz asked the king of Assyria for help against his enemies, but instead the king of Assyria oppressed King Ahaz. And when troubles came to King Ahaz, he became even more unfaithful to the Lord. He offered sacrifices to the gods of Damascus. But even this, lead to his ruin. He took utensils from the Temple of God and broke them into pieces. He shut the doors to the Temple so that nobody could worship there. And God was further angered at Ahaz.

BIBLE NOTES SHOW: Today in our culture, we still sacrifice children to: convenience, economy, and whim. We must allow children to come to Christ by allowing them to be born into this world.


HOW DOES THIS CHAPTER RELATE TO US TODAY? Like Ahaz, we have the opportunity to accept challenges and grow from them. These are not the times to turn away from God. We need to turn TO him, and he will help us get through the bad times. Why do you suppose we tend to turn away? Probably because we try to solve our own problems instead of letting God solve them. Some of us are so concerned by our own mortality and responsibility that we neglect to turn to God. Prayer can be a reminder. Prayer can help us give our problems to God and not turn away.

Yours in Christ,
Mary

Prayer Requests are needed for:
HEALTH:
Update on my niece Suzanne, she is healing but her leg was crushed and will take many months of doctoring. She is in a nursing home for rehab care. Pray for her healing. Also Gabe, Wanda, Pray for Janice Long’s parents, especially her mother whose cancer has returned and her father with Alzheimer’s and now her mother in law also with Alzheimer’s. Their family is feeling the strain both emotionally and financially. Pray for them. And pray for Arlene’s nephew David and for my neighbor Al who is nearing the end of his life. Pray for Carolyn’s brother Ronald who has cancer. Pray for our friend Michelle who was diagnosed with MS. Pray for Cyndi Sullivan who was given 14 months to live with cancer, but has made it six years. The pain has returned and she needs our prayers.
UPDATE on Barb who went in for back surgery and had a heart attack and stroke, she has 90 percent of her speech back and is home , but continues to have a problem with one arm and hand. She will require long therapy and insurance may soon be a problem since her job was not held for her.
Update on Marthaline Sargent. She lost her battle with health problems and passed away last Tuesday. Our condolences to her son Patrick and daughter Stacey. Continue to pray for her husband Robert Sargent who is quite ill with lung cancer.
Pray for Carolyn’s friend Margaret and her husband who were in a car accident. As elderly drivers they may face a life change which may cost them their independence. Let’s all raise our voices to God to hear our prayers.
Pray for John recovery from a heart attack and pray he can stop smoking.
SPIRITUAL UPLIFTING: Gail, Mary
RESTORATION OF FAITH: Al, John
LOVE AND SUPPORT: Claire, Hunter, Brian
SUPPORT: Haiti, Chile, survivors of Japan’s earthquake, survivors of the devastating tornadoes in our southernmost states and Joplin, Missouri. Pray too, for our country’s leaders and our military people who die each day for our freedom.