August 3, 2011

8-3-11 Wednesday, 4:47 am Springfield, 79 degrees, clear

Every once in a while I wake up around 3:30, and after giving my body a decent chance to go back to sleep, I will get up and make coffee, which I have done today. My car, the 1999 LHS overheated yesterday on the way home, and I walked in the 108 degree heat until I met up with Audrey who was returning home from a day of errands. This morning I will take a look under the hood, and hopefully find a simple problem, such as the LHS is low on antifreeze and I can simply add some. Otherwise it will be a trip to the mechanic.

Our small group met last night at church, and began a new series by Ray Vander Laan called “In the footsteps of the Rabbi”. It seems to be an excellent historical background for discipleship in today’s world. We will meet twice a month, and begin a new study in October, as the other small groups do likewise. I also met with a couple planning their wedding for April, 2012. Today I will meet with the pastoral staff of Wesley, participate in the staff birthday lunch, and visit in the homes of two families planning the baptism of their children. I will work on planning this week’s sermon, and consider the fall schedule in preparation for our planning
meeting tomorrow morning.

II Chronicles 33:14 – 34:33

The end of King Manasseh’s reign, after his repentance and humbling himself before God. He removed the pagan shrines, Asherah poles and idols he had previously set up. His son Amon became the next king, and ruled only two years before being assassinated by his own officials. He did what was evil in the Lord’s sight. His son Josiah became king at the age of 8, and reigned for 31 years. He did was what pleasing in the Lord’s sight and followed the example of his ancestor David. He did not turn away from doing what was right. (34:2)

One of Josiah’s great accomplishments was the renovation of the Temple. He directed workers who “restored what earlier kings of Judah had allowed to fall into ruin.” (34:11). During the work of this restoration Hilkiah the priest found the Book of the Law of the Lord that was written by Moses. When Josiah read it, he realized that his people had not been obeying God, he led them in repentance, and a spiritual renew ensued. The prophet Huldah (the wife of Shallum) was consulted. She explained that God’s judgment would fall upon Jerusalem, but not until after the days of Josiah, who had humbled himself before God.

My desire Lord is to follow your will and purposes completely in this generation. May the work of the church never “fall into ruin” under my care. Today I pray that you would give me more of the spirit of Josiah and his zeal for keeping your Law, once it was discovered. May your word for me today be lived in the activities of serving as pastor, husband, father, and friend. Guard me from indolence and ease.