DEVOTIONAL

The next three devotionals fit into a mini-series in my mind of the steps to the destruction of Israel. Spicy and exciting, right? For me the mercy of God tastes sweeter, like I do not take it for granted or pass over it with minimal thought, only after He pulls me out of a hard time. Let me be clear. God does not sit waiting on the other side twiddling His thumbs, but walks through the anxiety, depression, divorce, or death with us. Whether or not we believe or trust that God walks with us, He does. And you may read the next eight chapters skeptical of the mercy and kindness of God. However, I pray we remember two things: God keeps His covenant with Israel even though they turn their backs to worship other gods and we are a needy people that require rescue.

As Israel and Judah continue to operate as separate nations, the tension with Edom does not go away. In 2 Chronicles 25, Amaziah is twenty-five years old when he becomes the king of Judah and fights the Edomites. How does he celebrate? Amaziah packs up the gods of Edom and stands them up nicely at his house to worship them. Yes. Does this mean Amaziah tosses God out the window? We know he does right in the eyes of God, but catch the part at the end of 2 Chronicles 25:2, “yet not with a whole heart.” After the initial shock of the blatant slap in the face to God wears off, Amaziah’s actions are not that unfathomable. Am I right? If I get a big praise or raise at work, where do I turn first? Is it to God in gratitude or do I look inward to stroke my pride? It feels like overnight we see Amaziah pull away from God as he worships the idols of the Edomites and rejects the godly counsel from a prophet of God.

Amaziah lives in a false belief that he is strong and self-sufficient apart from God. He defeats Edom on his own, so why not take on Israel? The credit for Judah’s defeat over Israel is in 2 Chronicles 25:20 which says, “But Amaziah would not listen, for it was of God, in order that he might give them into the hand of their enemies, because they had sought the gods of Edom.” God shows up in the battle between Judah and Israel. The imagery of a thistle and cedar provides the contrast of strength from both sides headed into battle. Joash, the king of Israel, compares the prideful heart of Amaziah to a weak thistle that snaps under the smallest of force. The roots of the thistle are fragile and shallow. Amaziah relies on his own strength because he believes that is all he needs to achieve victory. On the other side of battle is Joash and the nation of Israel that is strong like cedar because of the power of God at work for them. It is embarrassing for Amaziah how quickly Israel captures him and takes everything of value from him.  

Back in 2 Chronicles 25:9 a prophet makes the statement, “For God has power to help or to cast down” that is a comfort or a warning depending on your perspective. It is a comfort for us that lay down our pride and choose God. However, for Amaziah it is a warning that God will cast you down if you continue to feed your pride. We cannot love God and hold onto our pride. We cannot stand in church on Sundays thanking God for His faithfulness and during the week live from our own strength. When we love God with our whole hearts, big things happen. I do not promise we will win every battle, but strong cedars can withstand the fiercest of storms because of the God that holds them.

Q: What is your reaction to 2 Chronicles 25:9? Spend time talking to God about it.

Additional Reading: 2 Kings 14