Thoughts of Grace

Our ‘snow’ comes from fallen almond blossoms.

We ‘allow’ the squirrel almond rights.

Good Morning

Scripture reading and a thought from Sunday Morning’s lesson.

2 Chronicles 28:1, 22-24
Ahaz was twenty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem: but he did not that which was right in the sight of the Lord, like David his father:

22 And in the time of his distress did he trespass yet more against the Lord: this is that king Ahaz. For he sacrificed unto the gods of Damascus, which smote him: and he said, Because the gods of the kings of Syria help them, therefore will I sacrifice to them, that they may help me. But they were the ruin of him, and of all Israel. And Ahaz gathered together the vessels of the house of God, and cut in pieces the vessels of the house of God, and shut up the doors of the house of the Lord, and he made him altars in every corner of Jerusalem.

By reading the 28th chapter
I find how far Ahaz went away from God
and leading the people away from God.

Hezekiah made a choice to turn from the evil ways of his father
and follow God’s laws.

2 Chronicles 29:1-3, 10
Hezekiah began to reign when he was five and twenty years old, and he reigned nine and twenty years in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name was Abijah, the daughter of Zechariah. And he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, according to all that David his father had done. He in the first year of his reign, in the first month, opened the doors of the house of the Lord, and repaired them.

10 Now it is in mine heart to make a covenant with the Lord God of Israel, that his fierce wrath may turn away from us.

Ahaz closed the doors to the sanctuary,
closed the doors on the law,
closed the doors on all the blessings God had for His people.
Hezekiah opened those same doors,
cleansing the sanctuary,
letting the Spirit of God have His rightful place.
Hezekiah made a pact with God to serve God
and obey His commandments.

Joshua 1:5-9
There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them. Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper withersoever thou goest. This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

In Joshua I read of God’s pact with me.
This pact hinges on me observing God’s commandments:
God will be faithful, no matter what.
I need to ‘have it in mine heart’ to be obedient
and submissive to His will.

Pact with God – God does everything.
All I can do is give up my filthy rags of sin
and obey prompted by my love for God.

With my prayers, desiring yours, Leslie

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