Todays readings.. 2 Chronicles 14&15, Ezekiel 47, John 15&16

    A prophet said the above words to Asa, the great grandson of Solomon (2 Chron.15 v.2). Our reading of the chapter shows that these words were heeded.  It had been a time when “there was no peace to him who went out or to him who came in, for great disturbances afflicted all the inhabitants of the lands.  They were broken in pieces. Nation was crushed by nation and city by city, for God troubled them with every sort of distress.” [v.6,7]

    That has been the scene in much of the world in recent years; it seems to be increasing but there is no prophet of God to give a challenging message today.  Asa listened to God’s prophet and we read how they “sought him (God) with their whole desire, and he was found by them, and the LORD gave them rest all around” [v.15].  But there was no Asa in the days of Jesus and we read in John ch. 15 the emotional words of Jesus to his disciples, “If you were of the world the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world therefore the world hates you.”  [v.19]

            Then Jesus said some words which also challenge us today, “If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have been guilty of sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin” [v.22].   Now think; the words of Jesus and others that God has sent with his messages can now be read in every language of the world.   It is more than 400 years since the A.V. Bible was first printed and widely printed and then made available in more and more languages.. Today “they have no excuse” for ignoring God and his word. 

           Jesus concludes his words to the disciples by saying, “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace (of mind).  In the world you will have tribulation.  But take heart; I have overcome the world.” [16 v.33] Let us take to heart the words of Paul that “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” [Philippians 4 v.7]

Let us remember, ”the LORD is with us while we are with him.”