August 28, Day 240 – The Seal of Ownership

2 Chronicles 29:1-31:1; Psalm 103:13-22;

 2 Corinthians 1:12-22

"Out Highway 16" © by Eric C. Stricker - Original Watercolor on Paper

Today we come to 2 Chronicles 29:1-31:1 in our readings.  In chapter 29, we are introduced to Hezekiah, “who did what was right in the eyes of the LORD” (verse 2).  Hezekiah called for the “priests and the Levites to consecrate themselves and the temple of the LORD and to remove all defilement from the sanctuary” (verse 5).  Hezekiah recognized the “unfaithfulness” of the fathers “who forsook the LORD … were unfaithful … turned their faces away from the LORD’s dwelling … turned their backs on Him … shut the doors … and put out the lamps in the sanctuary” (verses 6-7).  My goodness!  How many times have we read this same state of affairs in our study of Israel’s history since the exodus?  Although God made mankind to be the crowning achievement of all His creation, I think – spiritually – we must be the weakest of all creatures!  Our sins hold us in such a state of struggle (cf., Romans 7:7-25).  This is why we need the Holy Spirit.  Here we see that Hezekiah initiated a great reform movement, and he was able to reestablish the proper service of the temple.  In chapter 30, Hezekiah sends out “letters to Ephraim and Manasseh and invites them to come to the temple of the LORD and to celebrate the Passover, which had not been celebrated at the regular time” (verses 1-3).  A very large crowd assembled at Jerusalem for this purpose, and we read that “the priests and Levites stood to bless the people, and God heard them” (verse 27).  In chapter 31, we see that after the celebration ended, “the Israelites went out and smashed the sacred stones and cut down the Asherah poles.  They destroyed the high places and the altars” (verse 1).  Clearly, Hezekiah’s reforms had a positive impact on his people.

Psalm 103:13-22 tells us that “God knows how we are formed; He remembers that we are dust” (Psalm 103:14).  This verse has been a part of my life since we returned home from Germany after our first missionary term in 1976.  Our lives, the Psalmist writes, “are like grass – like a flower that flourishes – the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more” (verses 15-16).  As I look back over my life, I can only wonder why and how God should have, would have, or could have ever used me at all.  I think about all the early excitement, enthusiasm, effort, and expense that went into our initial missionary enterprise of so long ago.  At the time, I was filled with great anticipation at our prospects for service. Though my heart today is filled with wonderful memories, doubts also occupy my mind. What right do I have to expect any “place to remember me?” (verses 16-17).  I always felt that I was merely a vessel – and a broken one at that – available to God and grateful for His use.  Yet, still I wonder, “how useful, actually, was I?”  But then I read, “The LORD’s love is with those who fear Him,” because “He is from everlasting to everlasting” (verse 17).  Truly before God, although I am now fading like a “blade of grass – a flower vanishing” (verse 15), still, my everlasting desire and nature are securely bound up in Him (verse 17).  We are not forgotten, for He “is compassionate, and He remembers” us (verses 13-14).

In 2 Corinthians 1:12-22 Paul tells the Corinthians of his change in plans. Regarding the Corinthian believers and their major problems within the church, Paul has conducted himself thus far “in the holiness and sincerity that are from God and according to His grace” (verse 12). Paul initially “planned to visit them both on his way to and from Macedonia – doubtless – to check on their spiritual progress in dealing with their problems. However, Paul did not make his plans “lightly or in a worldly manner;” he determined his plans based on the “faithfulness and promises of God” (verses 18-20) and the “seal of ownership that is on us by the Holy Spirit” (verses 21-22). Whether Paul comes to them a second time or not is basically irrelevant. The most important thing is that the “Holy Spirit in our hearts is our deposit – guaranteeing what is to come” (verse 22). The Holy Spirit – dwelling within us – is sufficient.