In 2 Chronicles 32:1-33:24, we now see a dark cloud emerging on the horizon of Judah. “After all that Hezekiah had so faithfully done, Sennacherib king of Assyria came and invaded Judah” (verse 1). Sometimes, in the Christian life, it seems that we try our best to serve the Lord with all our hearts, and then the dark cloud appears on our horizon and threatens our lives. What do we do? We notice Hezekiah’s response, which was both material and spiritual; he “consulted with his officials and military staff … and he encouraged them with these words: ‘Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria and the vast army with him, for there is a greater power with us than with him. With him is only the arm of the flesh, but with us is the LORD our God to help us and to fight our battles’” (verses 3-8). Why is it so difficult for us to remember Hezekiah’s encouragement – which literally reflects the very Word and promises of God – during our own times of testing? Here we see the blasphemy of Sennacherib and his officers (verses 9-19), but “Hezekiah and Isaiah cried out in prayer” to the LORD Who sent an angel who annihilated” the Assyrians (verses 20-21). “So the LORD saved Hezekiah” (verse 22). Unfortunately, however, God’s provision of salvation was followed by Hezekiah’s pride and his subsequent downfall. A warning for us, this is a word aptly spoken – “pride goes before destruction” (cf., Proverbs 16:18). We need not belabor this point. In chapter 33, Hezekiah’s son, Manasseh, follows him to the throne. Since Ahab, Manasseh was probably the most wicked king of Israel and Judah combined – and the longest reigning – fifty-five years. Manasseh committed unspeakable acts of evil, followed by eleven years of wicked rule by his son, Amon. The dark cloud on Judah’s horizon is looming, and it is not Sennacherib; it is the unstoppable wrath of God, and it’s coming closer.
Today we read the first of three parts from Psalm 104 – verses 1-18 – which is a Psalm that extolls the beauty of God’s creation. This Psalm reveals that God “wraps Himself in garments” (verse 1). What are His garments? Here we see that God is “clothed with splendor and majesty … He wraps Himself in light …” (verses 1-2). Psalm 93 informs us that He “is armed with strength” (verse 1). These verses represent some of the most beautiful descriptions in Scripture of God’s character. In addition, the text later informs us that “He makes the clouds His chariot, and He rides on the wings of the wind” (verse 3). Such expressions capture our imaginations about God’s awesome power and glory, and they inspire our worship of this One Who so loves and cares for us - as described further in the following verses of the Psalm. He sets a boundary on “the waters; makes springs pour water into the ravines; satisfies the earth by the fruit of His work; and He gives residence to the birds, the wild goats, and the coneys” (verses 7-18). He is the Lord of all creation.
In 2 Corinthians 2:1-3:6, Paul admonishes the church at Corinth to forgive and comfort the sinner who has committed the immoral acts – indicating that his “punishment was sufficient for him” and that he not be “overwhelmed by excessive sorrow … I urge you, therefore, to reaffirm your love for him” (verses 5-8). As Christians, we need to be forgiving people – demonstrating our forgiveness of others – not merely by our words, but by our works – our deeds and actions. Then Paul moves on from this topic to describe his travels from Troas on to Macedonia, which was like a “triumphal procession” (verse 14). He states that our lives should be a pleasing aroma – “spreading everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of Him” (verse 15). To some, we are the “fragrance of life,” but to others – “those who are perishing – we are the smell of death” (verse 15). In other words, Paul is saying that we ought to be concerned about the testimony that we leave behind to a world that is watching us (cf., 3:3). We are to maintain a holy “confidence - that we have through Christ” (verse 4) - because “God has made us competent” to serve Him (verse 6). Our own competence is ineffective, but God’s competence working in us “gives life” (verse 6).
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