King James Daily Bible Study Devotional
Message Title: Beyond Our Expectations
Date: Friday May 18, 2012
Today's Chapters: 2 Chronicles 32-33

Hello My Friend,

I was chatting with someone the other day and he asked me a question to which I replied, “If it's in God's will I will do whatever He wants me to do.” His response, “You are that God fearing?” I believe that everyone who studies God's Word looks at something that He allows or does not allow and has questions about it. All I can say is that we must make every effort to follow all of God's Word if we truly want Him to bless our lives beyond our expectations, even if that means others disagree. God has a reason for not wanting us to do something and it is truly for our own good that we do what He says. There is not a day that goes by where we do not hear of someone getting killed, assaulted, or abused, and the majority of them could have been prevented had they just listened to God. People are going to criticize you, mock you, disrespect you, and even persecute you for standing by God, but in the end it will all be worth it because God is on your side.

“Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.” - 1 Timothy 6:12,17-19.

Hezekiah was the first king since Solomon to observe the Passover, he removed all the high places and groves where people sacrificed, making the temple the only place for the people to bring their offerings to God. After the passover, the people harkened to Hezekiah and followed suit, it did not take long for their newly found faith to be tested when the king of Assyria moved into Judah. Hezekiah was not intimidated, instead he told everyone that God was with them.

“After these things, and the establishment thereof, Sennacherib king of Assyria came, and entered into Judah, and encamped against the fenced cities, and thought to win them for himself. And when Hezekiah saw that Sennacherib was come, and that he was purposed to fight against Jerusalem, He took counsel with his princes and his mighty men to stop the waters of the fountains which were without the city: and they did help him. And he set captains of war over the people, and gathered them together to him in the street of the gate of the city, and spake comfortably to them, saying, Be strong and courageous, be not afraid nor dismayed for the king of Assyria, nor for all the multitude that is with him: for there be more with us than with him: With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the LORD our God to help us, and to fight our battles. And the people rested themselves upon the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.” - 2 Chronicles 32:1-3,6-8.

God is always there to help us fight and win our battles when we put out faith and trust in Him. I know it can seem as though we lose when a person dies, gets sick, or persecuted even when they live by faith, but God is in every circumstance, every battle, and every trial. We just need to look beyond the surface of our emotions to see that we have won. “That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.” - 1 Peter 1:7-9.

When Sennacherib realized that Hezekiah was not backing down he turned to the people of Jerusalem to try and persuade them not to put their faith and trust in God. “Doth not Hezekiah persuade you to give over yourselves to die by famine and by thirst, saying, The LORD our God shall deliver us out of the hand of the king of Assyria? Hath not the same Hezekiah taken away his high places and his altars, and commanded Judah and Jerusalem, saying, Ye shall worship before one altar, and burn incense upon it? Know ye not what I and my fathers have done unto all the people of other lands? were the gods of the nations of those lands any ways able to deliver their lands out of mine hand? Who was there among all the gods of those nations that my fathers utterly destroyed, that could deliver his people out of mine hand, that your God should be able to deliver you out of mine hand?” - 2 Chronicles 32:11-14.

Sennacherib failed to realize that the reason why he was able to take control of the other nations who put their faith in their gods was that they were all man made gods, but this time he was up against the Only Living God. After all that taunting and boasting and trying to get the people to discredit God and Hezekiah the only thing it got him was his own shame, he was killed by his own sons. People can taunt you and give you a hard time, but they cannot change the fact that God does exist, His Word is true, and He fulfills every promise He makes to those who stand by Him. “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.” - 1 Peter 4:12,13.

After Hezekiah died, his son, Manasseh died, he was the complete opposite of Hezekiah and even more abominable than the kings of Israel. However, he would find out the hard way that there is only one God and He is a merciful God.

“Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty and five years in Jerusalem: But did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, like unto the abominations of the heathen, whom the LORD had cast out before the children of Israel. And the LORD spake to Manasseh, and to his people: but they would not hearken. Wherefore the LORD brought upon them the captains of the host of the king of Assyria, which took Manasseh among the thorns, and bound him with fetters, and carried him to Babylon. And when he was in affliction, he besought the LORD his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers, And prayed unto him: and he was intreated of him, and heard his supplication, and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD he was God.” - 2 Chronicles 33:1,2,10-13.

There is so much corruption and deceitfulness in the world today that it is no wonder why people are serving false gods. It's sad really, God makes it simple, believe in My Son, trust only Him to get you to heaven, follow His example, and you will be blessed. Yet millions of people will die and end up in hell because they would not harken to the voice of God telling them that they are worshiping a false god. God will accept anyone who accepts His Son, but if they are trusting in any other god or means to save them they will not be saved. “But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” - Ephesians 2:4,5,8,9.

Today's Psalm: 40:4 - “Blessed is that man that maketh the LORD his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.”

Today's Proverb: 28:20 - “A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent.”

Today's Prayer: (taken from Psalms 37 & 3)
God, The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand. LORD, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me. Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head. I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about. I will trust in You Lord and see Your blessings unfold as I remain faithful to You in everything that I do. In Jesus' name. Amen.

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