And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you. And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full. These things have I spoken unto you in proverbs: but the time cometh, when I shall no more speak unto you in proverbs, but I shall shew you plainly of the Father. At that day ye shall ask in my name: and I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you: For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God… These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. John 16:22-27, 33
On the previous post we came to the close of the book of Hebrews and my plan was to next turn to the book of Daniel. I still believe that it is an urgent time in our nation to be called out to stand for faith and prayer. For that reason, I do believe that Daniel will be just such a call. Yet, as I study this great book of the old testament; I recognize my own limitations and my need for God to reveal His wisdom and His truth. I need to be enlightened and guided that I might be a light as well. It is there that I turn back to these words of Jesus in John 16 before I begin this great task.
Many people try to use these words in John 16 to be proof that we may ask for wealth, prosperity and freedom from all trials in the name of Jesus with certainty to gain all those things. Yet, you see God is Sovereign and realizes that if those are my desires; perhaps, I fail to recognize that my greatest joy is in Him. If I am too focused on counterfeit joys; I might never know true joy as can only be discovered in Him. It is a matter of the heart.
There is nothing wrong with having things, if those things are not one’s idols. So, if this verse is not about prosperity; what is it about? It is about how to have sustaining joy and peace in the midst of sorrow and tribulations. It is about praying for our nation, our hearts to be cleansed and for wisdom to both see and speak truth. It is for that I pray more than for all other things.
A WISHY-WASHY NATION
So, had it been during the times of the Kings over Judah. Many Kings of the Israel nation turned their eyes away from God and lead their people into “Baal” Worship. Interspersed throughout were a few Kings who served and worshipped God. Reading the book of Kings made me realize the patience and grace of God to even continue to deal with the nation He called His people. The same is true among those who proclaim to be Christians today and continue to worship selfish desires more than we worship God.
ONE KING’S PRIDE
So, it is let us look at a little part of the history of the Kings of Judah before we march into the book of Daniel. God had just performed a great miracle for King Hezekiah and had healed him from an illness that should have killed him. He had watched a great miracle. He was so excited and overjoyed with a little pride that God had done this. Perhaps it was that pride of what God had done for him that he became foolish. The King of Babylon sent men to check on King Hezekiah because he had been sick. We see no mention that Hezekiah tells them of God’s miracle, instead he shows them all of his wealth and gloats in all that he has owns, including all that is in the temple. So, that is the scene.
GOD’S JUDGEMENT PRONOUNCED
Then came Isaiah the prophet unto king Hezekiah, and said unto him, What said these men? and from whence came they unto thee? And Hezekiah said, “They are come from a far country, even from Babylon And he said, What have they seen in thine house? And Hezekiah answered, All the things that are in mine house have they seen: there is nothing among my treasures that I have not shewed them. And Isaiah said unto Hezekiah, Hear the word of the Lord. Behold, the days come, that all that is in thine house, and that which thy fathers have laid up in store unto this day, shall be carried into Babylon: nothing shall be left, saith the Lord. And of thy sons that shall issue from thee, which thou shalt beget, shall they take away; and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon. 2 Kings 20:14-18
A CHANCE FOR REVIVAL
Thus is the scene that will lead ultimately to Nebuchadnezzar’s overtaking of Jerusalem. Yet, before it happens there will come a revival of sorts under the rule of Josiah. That revival will be our focus on Monday, so you will need to come back then to hear of it. So, how does all this tie together and what could it possibly mean for you and I?
LESSONS FOR YOU AND I
1. We are to be a praying people as Jesus urged us to be. As we pray, let us pray for that which is God’s will. Let us pray for wisdom so that we may be light to a world so quickly falling into darkness.
2. Don’t be a King Hezekiah, so quick to become proud of what we have and the blessings that God has given us. Instead let us only point to God’s Grace, Mercy and Love. Note the sentence, “there is nothing among my treasures I have not shown them. His pride set the course of events that would results in generations after him to be taken captive into Babylon. We must be examples to our own children, grandchildren and all the generations to follow.
3. Even though we know that the end times are nearing; don’t give up our prayers nor our endeavors to spread the name of Christ. Never has there been a more urgent time than now to be light and salt to the world.
We will next Monday look at the revival of King Josiah that stayed the course of Judah for a little while because of His doing what was right in the eyes of the Lord.
[tweetthis]So, let us remember. Change begins with me.[/tweetthis] [bctt tweet=”What can God do with one heart totally devoted to Him?” username=”effiedarlene”] [bctt tweet=”What will God do with one person who in total humility bows before His throne in prayer?” username=”effiedarlene”]
The Song I chose for you today is JESUS Listen closely to this new song by Chris Tomlin.
Photo used by permission https://unsplash.com/@patrickian4
©Effie Darlene Barba, 2016
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.