Pastor Bob DuPar
July 24, 2008

Journal Entry



Scripture

2 Chronicles 11:1-13:22; Romans 8:22-39; Psalm 18:37-50; Proverbs 19:27-29

Observation

“After Rehoboam’s position as king was established and he had become strong, he and all Israel with him abandoned the law of the Lord.”

How often we abandon God and act like we don’t need him when we feel “strong” and “established.”

In 2 Chronicles 12:8 God allowed the Israelites to subject to Shishak. In fact, God even poured out His wrath on Israel through Shishak so that they might “learn the difference between serving Me (God) and serving the kings of other lands.”

When we refuse to follow God and His leadership, we are ultimately choosing our own plan or the plan of another over Him – to our determent.

2 Chronicles 12:14 says it all (no commentary needed),

“He did evil because he had not set his heart on seeking the Lord.”

Compare this with the example of Abijah in 2 Chronicles 13:10-12 who said, “As for us, the Lord is our God, and we have not forsaken Him. …God is with us; He is our leader.” Later in the chapter, Abijah, though completely outnumbered and ambushed by Jeroboam, won the victory through God’s help.

Romans 8:28 does not state that everything that happens to us is good, but that God’s sovereign power is such that He is able to work all things together for good.

The passage which immediately follows (vss. 29-30) is commonly referred to as the “Golden Chain.” I personally find it interesting that God’s “foreknowledge” precedes His “predestining” and “calling.” In my opinion, this solves the issue of predestination. God has foreknowledge of those who will respond to the Gospel; and, they are the chosen. The power to choose comes from God and is given to all. Some respond, some don’t. This is different than the view that says that some never have a chance and are destined for Hell from the beginning.

Application

The amazing inseparable love of God for us in Romans 8:38-39 is not an excuse to set our lives on “cruise control” until He returns. No, Paul also says that the “love of Christ compels/controls us (2 Cor. 5:14-15) and that “He died for all, that they who live should no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf.” And, as Paul says in Philippians 2:12-13,

“So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.”

Prayer

“Lord, I know that good works don’t earn salvation, they follow salvation. Help me to ‘bear fruit in keeping with repentance.” (Matt. 3:8)