READING FOR OCTOBER 15, 2025: 2 CHRONICLES 14, Acts 28, Psalm 107:17-32 2 CHRONICLES 14 This is a particularly interesting chapter because, although it presents Judah’s King Asa in a positive light, as does 1 Kings 15, it conveys the story of a huge victory not mentioned in 1 Kings. This chapter describes a virtuous cycle of obedience leading to blessing leading to further obedience leading to further blessing. This might not be how it always works, but it’s always better to actively obey the Lord than to disobey and suffer the resulting consequences.
King Asa’s Initial Obedience: “He removed the foreign altars and high places, tore down the memorial stones, cut down the Asherim, and commanded Judah to seek the Lord God of their fathers and to comply with the Law and the commandment” (vs. 3-4).
God’s Responding Blessing: “And the kingdom was undisturbed under him. because the Lord had given him rest.” (vs. 5-6).
King Asa’s Continuing to Seek the Lord: “Let’s build these cities and surround them with walls and towers, gates and bars. The land is still ours because we have sought the Lord our God; we have sought Him, and He has given us rest on every side.” (vs. 7).
God’s Responding Blessing: “So they built and prospered” (vs. 7).
King Asa’s Continuing to Seek the Lord (when faced by 1,000,000-man invading force from Ethiopia): “Asa called to the Lord his God and said, ‘Lord, there is no one besides You to help in the battle between the powerful and those who have no strength; help us, Lord our God, for we trust in You, and in Your name have come against this multitude. Lord, You are our God; do not let man prevail against You’” (vs.11).
God’s Responding Blessing: “So the Lord routed the Ethiopians before Asa and before Judah, and the Ethiopians fled” (vs. 12).
We don’t know why this magnificent victory isn’t recorded in 1 Kings, but we can see why Ezra thought including it in his account would encourage the returning exiles in their uphill task to reestablish Jerusalem and rebuild the temple. Have we as individuals been as quick to obey the Lord? Have we been seeking God’s word constantly so that we even know what God is asking of us? Have we been doing this as families and as Yorktown Methodist Church?
Acts 28 After the shipwreck, Paul ends up on the island of Malta. There is one episode here that needs discussion. Paul was bitten by a poisonous snake and yet felt no ill effects. It may have been a sign to the people from the ship that God was with Paul. There are churches in our country that practice the handling of snakes. They believe that if you are blessed by God that the snake will not bite you. Or, you will be like Paul and not suffer ill effects from the poison if you are bitten. This just seems like an odd ritual to me. I adhere to the admonition from God found in the book of Deuteronomy, “Do not put the Lord your God to the test” (6:16, NIV). Do I believe that God has the power to heal a poisonous snake bite? Yes. Am I going to
READINGS FOR OCTOBER 15, 2025 CONTINUED: ACTS 28, PSALM 107:17-32
put my hand into a box of rattlesnakes or willingly grab one by the tail? Only if the life of someone is in jeopardy.
Have you ever wondered why the Book of Acts ends on a cliffhanger? I do not have an answer, but it seems odd. We leave Paul under house arrest in Rome awaiting his audience with Caesar Nero. He spent as much as five years in confinement (two years in Caesarea, two years in Rome, and over nine months on the journey across the Mediterranean Sea).
There are three reasons why we believe Paul was probably released from house arrest:
- Paul wrote to churches while in prison expecting to visit them soon. He must have anticipated his release.
- Several events recorded in the Pastoral letters do not fit into the historical settings of the book of Acts.
- Tradition states that Paul made a trip to modern day Spain (Gaul) after being released from prison. Tradition also states that Paul was martyred by Caesar Nero shortly after the persecution of Christians began in 64 A.D.
The book of Acts ends on a high note. Even though he is under house arrest, Paul can share the gospel with many people. Paul is allowed guests and is visited by the leaders of the Jewish synagogue. Even though Paul is chained to a Roman guard, he can teach “in all boldness and without hindrance.” (V31) What is keeping us from following Paul’s example? To be bold in our ministry for the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Psalm 107:17-32 Psalm 107 is salvation history hymn. It calls Israel to praise God for his unfailing love. It reminds us that God hears the prayers and saves those who need God. This psalm was most likely penned after the people of Israel returned (539 BC).
This section again has two groups of people that God has saved. The first group are labeled as fools for their misdeeds. The book of Proverbs tells us, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” (1:7, NIV). Whatever their sins, it has brought them to the brink of death.
The second group are sailors. Sailing on the Mediterranean Sea was a dangerous undertaking (see Acts 27 in our study – yesterday). It is estimated that there are over 1,600 shipwrecks in the Mediterranean. In ancient times, when a storm was brewing over the waters sailors knew they were fighting for their lives against the elements.
Just as in Verses 1-16, when these two groups call out to God, they are saved. God rescued them from the grave (V. 20) and calmed the storm (V. 29). Again, the people are called to give praise for God’s unfailing love.
It is worth repeating. When we hit the storms of life; when we are engulfed in our foolishness; God hears our cry. When we call out to God, we receive God’s unfailing love.
