[Anna] never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem. Luke 2:37-38

Anna is an unusual character who came at an unusual time in the life of Jesus the child. She had lived 84 years to see that very moment. She’s the very definition of a God-fearing woman. Having worshipped constantly and fasted and prayed, she was probably about as wise as someone could get.

Everyone needs to have an Anna in their lives. I had one who has since passed on to be with the Lord. To this day I can recall her telling me about how she prayed me into the Kingdom. She would often watch me from her apartment window as I practiced some band drum major moves for hours on end. Not only was I being watched secretly but I was being prayed for!

If you don’t have an Anna in your life, pray for one. Or if you have been in the faith for some time, perhaps you need to be an Anna for someone. Think about the life changing possibilities of both options. There really is no “downside” to being an Anna or having an Anna in your life.

Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.” Luke 2:34-35

Simeon is only briefly mentioned in Scripture and then goes away. We have the benefit of holding the entire Bible in our hands but Mary and Joseph didn’t have that luxury. Think of his words: “the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed.” That could have been written today because it’s so appropriate. The end to his words must have puzzled and troubled Mary: “and a sword will pierce your own soul too.” Mary was at the crucifixion and saw her son on the cross. I don’t know that she understood all that was happening but there were some things that only she knew: the virgin birth, Simeon’s words, the unusually well-behaved Jesus as a child.

Wise men and women enter our lives more often than we know. It’s my prayer that I’ll recognize those people when they come and that I’ll take heed to what they say. Wisdom can come in many forms; through His servants is but one way.

Lord, now you are letting Your servant depart in peace, according to Your word; For my eyes have seen Your salvation which you have prepared before the face of all peoples, a light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel. Luke 2:29-32

Simeon, like many other Jews before him, had waited his entire life to see the Messiah. He held the boy in his arms. It was the last major event in his long life. It had to be fulfilling for him. He held a baby in his arms and proclaimed Him to be the glory of Israel and a light to bring revelation to the Gentiles.

In those few words, Simeon realized something that billions have people have never experienced: there is a God; there is a Body of Believers, and a Baby in his hands was about to change the world.

Do you still think that’s the case? When we were young and innocent, our zeal and love for all things spiritual was legendary. We live in a Land of Distractions. It’s very easy to lose sight of our mission on Earth.

As we press on towards the New Year, I’d like you to think about these questions:

What will I do with the Lord Jesus next year?
What will I do to further His kingdom and his cause next year.

When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under. Matthew 2:16

When seemingly rational leaders do very irrational things, we are puzzled by it. Take this passage for instance. Herod became angry and wanted to eliminate all the 2 year old boys in Bethlehem. Scripture tells us that the prophet Jeremiah predicted it in Jeremiah 31:15: “A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they were no more.”

Life isn’t fair. I’ve wrestled with that statement for years. And yet deep down I know it to be true. Bad guys get off free. Good men are treated poorly. The innocent become victims and must pay the consequences for other people’s horrendous and evil actions. Pharoah wanted the male children killed. Herod did too.

In a “civilized” world you would think that we’re way beyond killing children because a leader decrees it. Unfortunately, the adage, “the more things change the more they stay the same” is true.

Life truly isn’t fair.

There are innocent victims all around us. Consider volunteering some time to help those who are victimes. We can’t change all the evil hearts in the world but we can certainly do something to mend those who are broken.

And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route. Matthew 2:12

If you think about it, it’s an amazing wrap-up to an amazing story. Scholars believe that Jesus probably could have been up to a year old when the wise men arrived because their journey was long and arduous. Their destination was clear: to see the Christ child. Herod feigned interest in the baby they were seeking only because he felt threatened by the birth of this boy. Evidently God wasn’t finished with these wise men. These men knew that disobeying Herod would mean instant death if they were caught and turned over to Herod, but they were obeying a higher power. Lots of people have dreams and even seemingly Godly dreams. What’s significant about the wise men is that they were all warned not to go back the way they came. We don’t know exactly what was said in the dream but the outcome was clear: don’t go back the same way you came.

During the end of this Christmas season, I’d like you to consider relationships that might be harmful to you. Clearly the minor relationship that the wise men had with Herod was disastrous and unfruitful. You may not be warned in a dream about the relationship, but you know deep down if it’s destructive or not. And with God’s help, you know exactly what you need to do. Chances are good that if you’re not in such a relationship, you know someone who is. Commit to praying regularly for that person. Often you cannot openly express your concerns to that person for fear of rejection or further hurt, but God can change the heart and the mind.

..presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh. Matthew 2:11

The Magi or wise men presented the Christ child with some wonderful gifts. They had traveled a great distance to offer them. They then went home a different route.

Fast forward to today. It’s the Sunday following Christmas. Presents have been opened. Large meals were eaten. Gifts that needed to be returned have been returned. You’re worn out from all the hustle and bustle. You’re ready to embark on a New Year.

Before we get to that New Year, though, I think it’s time to take stock in what transpired over these last few days. The gifts you gave, were they satisfying to the person you gave them to? What kind of satisfaction did you get in giving them? The question I am leading to is this: what did we give Jesus this Christmas? No, I realize that the baby is clearly no longer in the manger, but there are very creative ways we can give Him presents. Did we offer any gifts or buy special presents for Him? Did we sacrifice anything in His name?

Consider this a challenge for the New Year. There are men, women, and children around the world serving Him. Some are our fellow countrymen. Others are people we may never meet. So, here’s my challenge. Get out a globe or an atlas and choose a country you have never heard of. Find out everything you can about it. The internet is a wonderful way to do that. Find out about the missionaries there and commit to praying for them regularly.Pray for the Believers who are there. Pray for the church. Pray for that God will sovereignly move in that land. And pray that Jesus will be glorified.

So, by this time next year you will be an expert on that country and then watch what God will do.

She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Luke 2:7

The last part of that verse is perhaps my most favorite non-Jesus character in the Christmas story: the innkeeper. I love this part of the story because it displays in a concise way the wisdom of God.

Look at it this way: an insignificant town, a young and insignificant yet-to-be-married team, insignificant shepherd boys to worship, an insignificant innkeeper without any rooms. The result: the greatest event the world has ever known. Had he been born in the inn, it’s a different story. But he was born in a cave, wrapped in rags, and laid in a cow’s trough, How’s that for the mind-boggling Wisdom of God?

The wisdom of man is clearly not the wisdom of God. As you seek the Savior this Christmas Day, praise Him for his infinite wisdom in the Christmas story.

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” Luke 2:15

Have you ever wondered why God chose to tell shepherds about the birth of Jesus? I am sure that God had many many reasons, but one that stands out for me is because no one would believe them if they went through the town to announce the good news. There was no need for trumpet blasts and broad announcements. They were shepherds, mere boys.

Another reason might be because God wanted to confound the wise of the world by telling mere shepherds first. In that day and age, angels didn’t appear to shepherds. They appeared to prophets and kings and teachers, but not shepherds. God entrusted shepherds so that they could go worship the newborn. The shepherds had nothing to offer It’s not more complicated than that and yet, that’s the beauty of its wisdom.

Let’s face it, we have nothing to offer Him either. Do you think our money and talents and looks and superior intellect mean anything to God? Don’t misunderstand me; God can and does use those things. But His general way of doing things is to use the lowly things of the world that confound the wise (1 Corinthians 1:27).

“How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” Luke 1:34

The virgin birth is perhaps one of the distinctives of Christianity. Larry King has said that the virgin birth is the one event in history that prevents him from believing fully in God. It’s so unbelievable and yet so wise.

Mary herself questioned the Angel of the Lord because it was just so unbelievable. Mary knew the stares and gossip she would have to endure, but she, along with Joseph, knew the truth.

She was a virgin and would give birth to the Messiah.

It couldn’t be any other way.

Mary had to trust God that He knew what He was doing. Joseph too had to trust God and believe Mary. He did have some help from an angel too but it still was difficult to believe.

This Christmas season, ask God to renew your love for Him and His word. Ask Him to help us even in our unbelief.

But you, O Bethlehem Eph’rathah, who are little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose origin is from of old, from ancient days. Micah 5:2

Bethlehem was originally called Ephrata, then Ephrata-Bethlehem and finally Bethlehem. King David was born there. It’s an insignificant berg in the middle of the Judean hill country. It had no importance except that it was the town where David was born.

It was foretold in the book of Micah just where the Messiah was to be born. Those who would search for him to do him harm (King Herod) could have narrowed his search to this insignificant little town if only he had read the Scripture and believed it. It was written for all to see.

Penn and Teller are famous for performing simple card and ball and handkerchief tricks even as they tell their audiences how they are doing them, and they still do it in front of knowing and amazed audiences.

God told the world how Jesus would come to earth. He wrote it down. People studied it and still couldn’t believe that Bethelehem would be the place that God the Son would be born.

This Christmas season we need to look at Scripture anew so that we don’t miss glaring truths. Ask God to give us a fresh revelation of his wisdom.

If they say, “Come along with us; let’s lie in wait for someone’s blood, let’s waylay some harmless soul;
let’s swallow them alive, like the grave, and whole, like those who go down to the pit;
we will get all sorts of valuable things and fill our houses with plunder;
throw in your lot with us, and we will share a common purse”- Proverbs 1:11-14

Have you ever noticed that it’s very easy to give in to temptation (and possibly justifying it by saying that God will forgive)? Think about it. It’s almost always easier to give in to temptation than it is to resist. There is very little in the world that would teach us to resist. In fact, you’ll hear things like this from well-meaning people:

“Everyone else is doing it.”
“It won’t hurt.”
“Nobody will ever know.”
“What’s the harm?”
“It doesn’t hurt to just look.”

We’ve heard all those excuses at one time or another, and they are all wrong.

But fortunately, “…because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” 1 John 4:4

No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. 1 Corinthians 10:12-13

My son, if sinners entice you, do not give in to them. Proverbs 1:10

Oddly enough, I wrote yesterday’s devotion without looking at this verse. It fits too.

Remember Joey? He was part of the “wrong crowd” my teacher didn’t want me hanging around.

Some people want to drag you down and tempt you. It can be as simple as imploring you to turn over “juicy” gossip that you have. Or it can be the other way around. How many times have you heard, “I probably shouldn’t say this,” but they end up saying it? I should ask how many times this week did you hear the phrase? That person is trying to entice you, to engage you, to bring you into their, well, dirt. It’s a simple example, but I think it makes a fair point: even in the easiest of situations, it’s not always easy to resist our unhealthy urges.

So, in the next few days, listen for those words, “I probably shouldn’t say this.” Stop the person and agree, “You’re right. You shouldn’t” and let it go at that. You don’t have to be rude or obnoxious about it, but let it be clear that you don’t need to hear and/or spread gossip. You don’t want to go down that path, and with God’s strength, you don’t have to.

…they will be a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck. Proverbs 1:9

Good teaching is like this. You want to grasp it and never let it go. You want to apply it. Essentially you want to own it.

When I was in second grade, a kindly old teacher took me aside because I was acting up. She said, “David, you do not have to act like Joey.” She was right. I was imitating a kid named Joey and his errant ways. Her words stay with me 35 years later. She was absolutely right, I don’t have to run with the wrong crowd.

Those are simple words to be sure. But someone, perhaps it was a parent or a teacher or a mentor, taught you a lesson that has stuck with you. It’s, as the writer suggests, “a garland to grace your head and a chain around you neck.” Think about that lesson and take the time to thank that person if he/she’s still around. If not, thank God for sound wisdom from friendly sources.

Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. Proverbs 1:8

Today I’d like you to pray for your mothers and fathers. If you are parents, I’d also suggest you pray for your children. I obviously don’t know your situations, and I suspect that these next few verses may be difficult for some because your parents weren’t there for you when you were growing up. Or they aren’t there for you now. You can’t relate at all to this passage. It doesn’t make sense to you.

Your parents weren’t perfect, just as you’re not perfect. There are morsels of wisdom that your mothers and fathers taught you. Some of the things your parents did helped instruct us what NOT to do. Likewise, as parents you realized that you messed up or are messing up as parents. You can’t turn back the hands of time, but you can reset and begin again.

Parents, pray for your children. Kids (yes, even the 50-year-old kinds), pray for your parents. And if you haven’t done so, you’ll need to forgive. Often. Now. Again.

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline. Proverbs 1:7
Notice that the text doesn’t say anything about a reading a textbook or attending a seminar or even sending cutesy Twitter posts to become knowledgeable, though those are a means to an end. No, the fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge.

So, what exactly is fear in this context? Fear is a healthy reverence and respect you have for the Almighty. It’s not dread and it shouldn’t be condemning. It shouldn’t be a fear that if you mess up, He’ll zap you because it’s just not the case. However, as the Old Testament spells out and the New Testament reiterates, you shouldn’t put the LORD your God to the test. (Deuteronomy 6:16, Luke 4:12). So the fear in this context is awe; it’s wonder; it’s a holy reverence.

Conversely, the foolish have little regard for fearing the LORD. They go about their own way, thumbing their noses at God, and live chaotic, purposeless lives. Essentially, God has laid out a blueprint for purpose and meaning in life. The rules and laws and commands laid out in the Bible are for our benefit. Follow them and we will live fruitful, productive lives. Ignore them and we run the risk of having little purpose or aim.

I know that as I write this that there are parents, children, friends, and relatives that fit into the “foolish” category. You know the truth; you’ve seen the way, and are trying to point them to the life. Continue to bathe that loved one in prayer. Often you’ve said enough and now it’s a matter of waiting. Take courage, your prayers will not have been in vain. Pray that your loved one will begin to experience a genuine fear of the LORD.

…for understanding proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise. Proverbs 1:6

If you’ve been reading the Bible long enough, you know that Jesus used parables to illustrate key points. Riddles and stories are threaded throughout the Old and New Testaments. These kinds of linguistic tools are very important for communicating truth. I daresay that storytelling (and its cousin joke telling) is a lost art. We’re so used to forwarding jokes and stories that we’ve forgotten just how much we like it. In fact, on the rare occasion that I preach, my wife always asks, “do you have stories?” Stories make the text interesting and provide a connection to the audience.

So, what’s the last long story you told? Can you remember? What about the last joke (other than a one liner)?

What’s your story as a Christian? How did you become one? What changed your thinking? Write down your story into a 3-4 minute story that you’re able to tell. Refine it. Hone it, Make it you. Then begin practicing it. You’ll be surprised at the many opportunities the Holy Spirit will prompt you to use it. It’s your story and there’s not a bit of fiction in it.

…let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance. Proverbs 1:5

The old adage still applies, God gave us two ears and one mouth for a reason: to listen twice as much as we speak.

As a recovering introvert, I have the opposite problem. I probably listen ten or twelve times more than I speak. I enjoy listening to others. It’s amazing how much you can glean from a person just by listening. People reveal things about their character and personality when they keep talking. I just sit back and take it all in. Now, of course, my strength in listening to others is also a weakness because it’s difficult to speak up during those times that I need to, and often don’t.

Listening (and not wanting to complete some else’s sentences before they’re finished) is an acquired skill. Many have to make a conscious effort to listen more (as I make an concerted effort to speak up).

When you go to prayer today, listen, just listen. What is the LORD telling you today. Refrain from sharing with Him your “To Do” list. Just listen. You’d be surprised how difficult it is and amazed at what you can hear.

…for giving prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the young. Proverbs 1:4

You do not have to grow old to be wise and prudent. Many people think that as you grow older, you get wiser automatically. Yes, you have experienced much more in life than someone years younger, but in order to be wiser, you need to hang around with those who are wise. Those who are older may be wiser, yes, but unfortunately that’s not always the case. Likewise, just because someone is young doesn’t mean he or she isn’t wise.

You get wisdom by learning and observing and reading the very lives of those who are at peace with God. You can identify almost immediately who these people are because they are few and far between! If you haven’t noticed yet, people in our fast-paced, multi-tasking world are rarely at peace with God and with themselves. Find that person and cling to him/her with everything you have. Most probably, he or she is a man of the Word and of prayer. So, if you are young, you too can be wise. Pray that God will help you to be wise and prudent.

for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and just and fair. Proverbs 1:2

I’ve written elsewhere that life is often not fair. “Life’s not fair.” It’s a phrase we hear a lot among kids, but we also experience it as adults. Often we’re hesitant to verbalize it for fear that we’re weak or whining. But we all know that, in fact, life is not fair. Some people seemingly have no problems; while others are poster children for the phrase “when it rains, it pours.” Where’s the equity? Where’s the fairness?

To put this phrase in a different context, many Believers around the world get beaten just because they believe, while we in the West experience freedom and comfort. Is life fair for us and for them? No way.

So how do we address the differences? Simply put, we don’t. Most of the time I cannot change your situation nor can you change mine. I can pray and petition the governments of our fellow Believers in prison and those being beaten for their faith, but I can do little to change their situation. But none of that prevents us from doing what is right and just and fair to others. And to do that, we need wisdom.

Pray daily for wisdom and discernment so that you can do what is right and just and fair.

The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel: for attaining wisdom and discipline; for understanding words of insight…Proverbs 1:1

Among English speakers, the Book of Proverbs is the book that has provided wisdom and discernment to the people who have read it. Rev. Billy Graham made it a point to read a chapter a day each month (31 chapters, 30-31 days in a month). If we did that for 50 or 60 years and applied even some of the teaching, we’d be very wise. Over the course of the next few months I want to go through as many verses as possible in this book. I can’t guarantee that I will touch upon every verse but I’ll make an attempt. Obviously I will have many devotions on wisdom and discernment, which, as I see it, cannot be a bad thing

Solomon is generally accepted as the author of this book, as stated in the first verse. We consider him to be perhaps the wisest man ever. In the Book of Ecclesiastes, we also see how much of his thiinking was played out, exactly what he did to test and prove that wisdom. But for now, he provides us with a basic framework for what is to come in the next 31 chapters. Essentially, he is saying early in the book that if you heed this wisdom you will be far better than the one who has never read them or the one who reads them but never applies them.

I would like to challenge you to read a chapter a day for the next month, starting today. Since this is posted on the 10th, read Chapter 10. Tomorrow read chapter 11 and so on. Make it into a habit to set aside a few minutes each day to read a chapter, then the second part of the challenge is to apply one verse to your situation. Just one. Don’t try to do it all, just one. Then throughout the month, let me know how you’re doing. I’d love to know.

So Jehoiachin put aside his prison clothes and for the rest of his life ate regularly at the king’s table. 2 Kings 25:29

Amel-Marduk became king of Babylon and favored Jehoiachin. Then the Bible points out something very intriguing: Jehoichin took off his prison clothes and apparently put on his normal “street” clothes (or at least clothing suitable for a king’s assistant.

The Bible instructs us in Ephesians 4:22-24 to take off the old and put on the new:
You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

Do you see the similar imagery? As “new” creations (even if we’ve been Believes for 50 years, we are still a “new” creation of God), we are to shed our old life and put on the new. Have we done that? Do you find yourself wishing you could wear your “old clothes” again because they were more comfortable and relaxing?

Gedaliah took an oath to reassure them and their men. “Do not be afraid of the Babylonian officials,” he said. “Settle down in the land and serve the king of Babylon, and it will go well with you.” 2 Kings 25:24

Gedaliah was under the delusion that, even though he was Nebuchadnezzar’s prisoner, that he and his people would be granted special favors by the king. He may not have been facing reality square in the face because not too long afterwards, he was assassinated by Nebuchadnezzar’s own people. He was naive enough to believe that Nebuchadnezzar could adequately protect him.

As Christians we have to be, as the New Testament puts it, wise as serpents and harmless as doves (Matthew 10:16). Like Gedaliah, not everyone is rooting for us and hoping we’ll “win.” In fact, truth be told, there are some downright nasty people who do harsh things toward Christians without batting an eye.

So, in our dealings with people in government, academia, business, social settings, ask God to help us be discerning and wise.

At this, all the people from the least to the greatest, together with the army officers, fled to Egypt for fear of the Babylonians.2 Kings 25:26

It wasn’t bad enough that Jerusalem and the Temple were completely razed. No, now Gedaliah their leader was assassinated. So did someone take command and organize them to fight for their dignity and sovereignty? No, they all ran! They ran, just like you and I would do.

When you’re in trouble, do you run to Jesus?
When you’re discouraged and defeated, do you run to Jesus?
When you are tempted, do you run to Jesus?
When you are celebrating, do you run to Jesus?
When you are lonely, do you run to Jesus?
When you’ve hit rock bottom, do you run to Jesus?

Running to Jesus involves humbling ourselves before Him and asking Him to be our strength. It’s okay to admit that we don’t have it all together. And it’s always okay to Run to Jesus.

Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon appointed Gedaliah son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, to be over the people he had left behind in Judah. 2 Kings 25:22

In verses 3-21, we see how Nebuchadnezzar and his men painstakingly razed the Temple of the Lord and took captives, who were then executed. Nebuchadnezzar appointed Gedaliah to be over those left behind in Judah. Those who were still alive, often called the Remnant, must have been completely demoralized. Their city and temple was utterly destroyed. Without reading further, how do you think a man like Gedaliah should have been towards his people and to Babylon? How would you encourage the people who must have been totally deflated?

We find ourselves in similar situations, though not to that extreme usually. Their entire land had been decimated and there wasn’t much for them to be encouraged about. Or was there?

If you’re ever in a situation where everyone is discouraged about events, you must be the one to encourage and lift up the spirits. You must be the one who takes the Positive Pill every morning and encourages others to do the same. And you must also be the one to pray with people when they are down and when their spirts have hit rock bottom. I say that because You have the Truth. You know the Way. You are the Life. Don’t wait for others to take the lead.

The city was kept under siege until the eleventh year of King Zedekiah. By the ninth day of the fourth month the famine in the city had become so severe that there was no food for the people to eat. 2 Kings 25:2-3

For two years Nebuchadnezzar had encamped outside Jerusalem. They waited and waited until the people inside Jerusalem were starving to death. Literally.

We in the West have it easy. For the most part (and there are exceptions), we don’t go hungry. And for this we need to be thankful.

For much of the world, that’s not the case. The problem of hunger in the world today is complicated. Some say the root of the problem is political in nature. In other words, the food is resting in warehouses, but in order for leaders to control the people, they want the privilege of diistributing the food at their discretion (I know for a fact that this is the case in some lands). Others argue that we just don’t produce enough for the world.

Rather than debate the issue, we need to pray and ask God what YOUR role should be in this crisis. It may mean volunteering at the local Food Warehouse. It may mean going to help those less fortunate. And there are a ton of opportunities between the two.

Zedekiah was twenty-one years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem eleven years. His mother’s name was Hamutal daughter of Jeremiah; she was from Libnah. 2 Kings 24:18

Young leaders of nations have it rough. They don’t have the experience to make informed decisions so they must rely on their advisors.

At the time of this writing, each of these four nations have young leaders:

Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck – King of Bhutan
Roosevelt Skerrit – Prime Minister of Dominica
Joseph Kabila – President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Nikola Gruevski – Prime Minister of Macedonia

Pray for these heads of state to make wise decisions in their lands.

Pray also that Believers in those countries will continue to be strengthened and encouraged.

Pray Ephesians 1:17-22 over the Believers.

Nebuchadnezzar took Jehoiachin captive to Babylon. He also took from Jerusalem to Babylon the king’s mother, his wives, his officials and the leading men of the land. The king of Babylon also deported to Babylon the entire force of seven thousand fighting men, strong and fit for war, and a thousand craftsmen and artisans. He made Mattaniah, Jehoiachin’s uncle, king in his place and changed his name to Zedekiah. 2 Kings 24:15-17

Nebuchadnezzar was a shrewd leader. Instead of installing his own people as leaders in Jerusalem, he instead chose a relative of the reigning king. The people would know who he was and would obey. Many probably even knew that Zedekiah’s was a “puppet” government, yet they still trusted him to do the right thing for the people. Otherwise, it would have been difficult for foreign leaders to rule the land because of the underlying resentment.

Not much has changed over the years. Large, powerful countries and their leaders have a way to control other smaller nations. The most prominent example of that in our time was the Union of the Soviet Socialist Republic or USSR. The USSR had a union of 15 states or countries. They also had other nations such as Cuba and Mongolian that they also controlled. The leaders in Moscow called the shots in all of these countries. Period. They seemed to have absolute authority over remote regions of the world. We see it to a lesser degree in other countries today.

It’s been twenty years since the breakup of the Soviet Union. Continue to pray for the church in Tajikistan, Azerbaijan, Kazakstan, Turkmenistan, Russia, Uzbekistan, Ukraine, Latvia, Belorus, Moldova, Georgia, Estonia, Armenia, Kyrghzstan, and Lithuania. If you know nothing about these lands, choose one and research it. There’s plenty of information on the internet about all of those nations. Pray that Christians will be bold in sharing their faith.

He [the LORD] sent them to destroy Judah, in accordance with the word of the LORD proclaimed by his servants the prophets. 2 Kings 24:2

Jehoiakim was now in charge but was subjected to Nebuchadnezzar for three years. After Jehoiakim had enough, he decided to rebel. The LORD sent Babylonian, Aramean, Moabite and Ammonite raiders against Judah and did it purposefully. Often we have a picture of a gentle, kind God who wants nothing more to see his people doing well and comforted. But every so often, we see his wrath poured out. What makes this interesting is that He is pouring out that wrath against Judah!

I think this is an important lesson for other nations to learn as well. Judah and Israel were favored nations in God’s eyes. With that favor came a responsibility, a responsibility to proclaim His name far and wide. God’s wrath and indignation is not something nations should play around with or test. God is loving and kind, and all that, but there is a side to Him that nations would do well to fear.

Pray that your nation and its leaders will recognize -if they haven’t already done so – that the fear of the Almighty is a good thing.

Pharaoh Neco put [Jehoahaz] in chains at Riblah in the land of Hamath so that he might not reign in Jerusalem, and he imposed on Judah a levy of a hundred talents of silver and a talent of gold. Pharaoh Neco made Eliakim son of Josiah king in place of his father Josiah and changed Eliakim’s name to Jehoiakim. 2 Kings 23:33,34

Judah was a sovereign nation and yet Pharaoh Neco was calling the shots. Josiah lost in a face to face battle with Pharaoh Neco (2 Kings 23:29). The Pharaoh took control of Judah so that those in leadership were “puppets” of the Egyptian government. Even in this 3000 year old example, we see that it’s not a good thing when another country is running your government. They will not have the same values that you will have.

Pray for your nation’s sovereignty. With many nations banding together, the collective rarely has better insight and judgement than the individual. Pray that your leaders will have your country’s best interest at heart when making strategic decisions.

Jehoahaz was twenty-three years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem three months…He did evil in the eyes of the LORD, just as his fathers had done. 2 Kings 23:31, 32

Jehoahaz came from one of the best stock in the long line of the kings of Judah. The LORD had praised Josiah for his godly acts numerous times. Quite frankly, Josiah’s “resume” was noteworthy and spotless. So what happened to Jehoahaz (and his brother Jehoiakim later)? Where did Josiah go wrong?

We don’t know that he did.

And often, neither can you. You see, it’s easy to blame parents for the actions of a son or daughter. I suspect many reading this devotional have also blamed themselves for things that have gone wrong in your child’s life. That may be true when the child was really young, but remember, Jehoahaz was 23 years old when he took over the kingdom. At 23, he was a grown man, and was able to make his own choices in spite of what his parents or anyone else thought.

I know this might seem harsh and heartless but you need to stop beating yourself up over the poor decisions your child(ren) have made as adults. Pray for them, yes, but like Jehoahaz, kids have to find their own way in life, even it means getting into serious trouble to do it.

Nevertheless, the LORD did not turn away from the heat of his fierce anger, which burned against Judah because of all that Manasseh had done to provoke him to anger. 2 Kings 23:26

The previous verse noted how Josiah was unlike any other king before or after him. The next verse, however, comes like a thud. All the work that Josiah had done to rid the land of idols, spiritists, mediums, Asherah poles, and anything that did not honor God was for naught? Absolutely NOT.

How often do we find ourselves in similar situations? We’ve done everything we know to do the Godly thing. We’ve gone the extra miles several times just to be sure we got it right. Then it happens: something occurs to make it seem like it’s all wasted.

A missionary had translated the Bible and was getting ready to have it published (back before computers existed). It was in paper form. A fire swept through the building he had translated it in. All evidence of the newly translated Bible was burned, destroyed. The missionary mourned its loss and began translating the Bible once again the next day. Yes, it was tragic that all his work was burned up in a fire, but the next time around the translation would only take a fraction of the time it took when he originally translated it because he had already done the difficult initial work of learning the phrases and testing it among the people.

Perhaps you’re feeling that all the work you’re doing or have done is in vain. Nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, very little in this world encourages you to be satisfied with what you’ve done. Even as I write these devotionals, I run the risk of encouraging you not to be satisfied with the status quo and to change if necessary. My intention is not to discourage you; in fact, it’s just the opposite.

Keep doing the things that got you this far and cast off those things that distract you. Draw close to God and He will draw close to you (James 4:8).