READING FOR AUGUST 27, 2025: 2 CHRONICLES 5, LUKE 17, PSALM 88                                           2 CHRONICLES 5 These next few chapters in 2 Chronicles describe, in smaller chapter increments, all that happened in 1 Kings 8, which we studied yesterday. It says in verse 1 that Solomon’s work for the house of the Lord was finished. Then he invited leaders from throughout Israel to participate in the moving of the ark into its rightful place. Perhaps the following is an interpretive stretch, but it is hard not to think about two members of our church whose work for the Lord on this earth was also finished recently: Ann Hanson and Faustine King. Those who were able to attend their funerals were, like the people of Israel, able “to praise and to glorify the Lord “(vs. 13) for their lives among us. 

In both celebration services, music was emphasized: Ann’s childhood favorite, “I am His and He is Mine,” and a hymn that brought comfort to Faustine during her last days, “Amazing Grace.” After the priests sanctified themselves in the Holy Place in 2 Chronicles 5, the Levitical singers (with cymbals, harps, and lyres), accompanied by 120 priests playing trumpets, sang these words: “He [God] indeed is good for His kindness is everlasting.”  In response, “the glory of the Lord filled the House of God.”  Psalm 22:3 says, “You who are enthroned upon [or inhabits] the praises of Israel.” Consider carefully what might result when we raise our voices in praise to God. Remember that His kindness lasts forever.

LUKE 17 In the first 10 verses, Jesus interacts with his disciples. Jesus is aware that sin is inevitable. Jesus colorfully suggests we are in big trouble, though, if we influence others to sin.  Vanessa Bohns states, “As a social psychologist who has studied social influence for many years, I see all the time how much influence we have over other people.” Let’s consider if we are influencing others toward holiness or sin. Jesus says we need to be on guard about it. He also says if another believer sins, we are responsible to point it out to them. (It really says this in verse 3!) If the believer repents, we must forgive—no matter how often. 

Jesus suggests we need to exercise the faith we have rather than worry about getting more. Also, we should be happy for the honor to serve Him and not seek thanks for it from anyone. (That might take some spiritual rewiring.) The incident of the 10 lepers has some interesting details: the lepers maintained their distance as per Leviticus 13; Jesus affirmed the Leviticus 14 cleansing still applied before His death; and saving faith was only exercised by the Samaritan. 

Jesus replied to the Pharisees that the Kingdom of God was in their midst because He is king. He then pivoted to His second coming, warning them and us that, like Lot’s wife, we will not experience Kingdom life by looking to this sinful world for meaning. He reminds us also that His coming will be unexpected by us but will happen as surely as vultures descend on roadkill.

READING FOR AUGUST 27, 2025 CONTINUED:  PSALM 88  

PSALM 88 This Psalm represents the reality that a person can have great faith in God while experiencing no apparent blessing from or closeness with God. Let’s analyze this dichotomy:   

As we learned from our study of Job, a person of faith can experience total desolation and not know why. We do know there was good intent for Job that God in His wisdom did not share with Job. We also know that the only sinless person in history, Jesus, experienced all of the above and much more than the Psalmist because of His love for this Psalmist and all of us. We not only have His gift of eternal life, but we have His Holy Spirit indwelling us, and His word to strengthen us. We can meditate on this goodness during our times of pain and isolation.