"Now in the time of his distress King Ahaz became increasingly unfaithful to the Lord." (2 Chronicles 28:22)
You may recall the account of Ahaz in Isaiah 7. He was given an opportunity for a most powerful encounter with the Living Triune God. "Later, the Lord sent this message to King Ahaz: 'Ask the Lord your God for a sign of confirmation, Ahaz. Make it as difficult as you want-- as high as heaven or as deep as Sheol'" (NLT). The next verse says, "But the king refused," pulling some religious excuse, "No,' he said, 'I will not test the Lord like that.'" Big mistake.
Notice, "....in the time of distress," he, "became increasingly unfaithful to the Lord." This occurs far too often in those in distress. This could have happened to me years ago; it can happen to anybody. The Bible tells us, "You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord." Now too many speak of Job's experience with flippant theology. When we read the Book of Job we need that, "hearing heart," of which Solomon spoke. Regardless, unlike Ahaz, Job, "....in the time of distress became increasingly []faithful to the Lord."
Life is indeed a battle. The Bible affirms this. Don't listen to, "If you do everything right, you will have no difficulty." I pray for you and me today that in any, "....time of distress," you and I will, "became increasingly []faithful to the Lord," Jesus Christ. Jesus is, "Faithful and True," and as you and I abide in Jesus, we too can be "faithful and true."
Father, in Jesus' Name, I pray that my "increasingly" in life will be towards You. Amen.
When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"
Hebrews 12:2
Hebrews 12:2
