politically correct – Be Still…

2 Chronicles 12:1-16 – Bad Things Happen

Read 2 Chronicles 12:1-16

We see in this reading what can happen when leaders are not following God. All the efforts of fortifying cities Rehoboam did in our last reading could not stop the invasion when God was allowing it. The prophet “Shemaiah told them, “This is what the Lord says: You have abandoned me, so I am abandoning you to Shishak.” What does that say to us today?

The leaders accepted God’s response and promptly humbled themselves. Seeing this, God relented from his plan of destruction. What if these leaders had not understood God’s disapproval and discounted the prophet’s warning?

Zechariah 5:1-4 – It’s a Bird…It’s a Plane…

Read Zechariah 5:1-4

No, it’s a flying scroll! This scroll was huge, the height of a 3-story building and the width is comparable to a midsize sedan. Zechariah’s visions continue to shed light on God’s plans and intentions. On this scroll, God had written his words of judgment for the corrupt people.

It seems that stealing and swearing falsely are the two offenses that need to be mitigated. Stealing would symbolize harming another person in any way, and those who swear falsely are those who have dishonored God. I imagine the words were in “large print” for all to read. This curse was upon all who had broken the covenant.

1 Peter 4:1-6 – When Suffering is Better

Read 1 Peter 4:1-6

None of us looks forward to suffering. However, when we suffer on account of our faith in Christ, it is so much better than the alternative of being lost in our sin. Our suffering will not last forever, but our future with Christ never ends. If we chose to stay stuck in our sin, carousing with our friends like we used to, we would miss out on the great inheritance Jesus is preparing for us.

When we live for God, Peter tells us we’ll need to expect suffering, just like Jesus did. This isn’t the only passage in the Bible that warns us about suffering and staying strong. I appreciate that we are told up front what to expect. Nobody can claim to be surprised when we encounter suffering.