Messy Situations

Daily Reading: 2 Chronicles 21

Yet the Lord was not willing to destroy the house of David, because of the covenant that he had made with David. (2 Chronicles 21.7)

Devotional Thought: Today’s chapter highlights the villainous reign of Jehoram.  Verse 4 says he callously slaughtered his siblings, and some other royal officials, when he became established on the throne.  His relationships with neighboring kingdoms were marked by unrest because of His inhumanity and ruthlessness.  He didn’t set an appropriate moral example and led the people away spiritually.  He ultimately died from an excruciatingly painful disease.  What a tragic note to the end of his life: “He passed away, to no one’s regret …” (v. 20, NIV).

Yet in the midst of this dreadful situation, v. 7 says, “because of the covenant the Lord had made with David, the Lord was not willing to destroy the house of David.”  Even though Jehoram was depraved and unscrupulous and everything a king wasn’t supposed to be, it couldn’t prevent God from honoring His promise and fulfilling His purpose.

We live in a day, and a context, that is like Jehoram’s.  Much is going on that is an affront to God.  People are acting in uncaring and callous ways.  Leaders are not serving as examples of morality and integrity.  The relationship between many nations is strained and tense.  What a reassuring thing it is to be reminded that none of these realities can stand in the way of God accomplishing what He wants to accomplish.

Many years ago, a professor told me something I’ve never forgotten.  He said, “The greatest demonstration of God’s creativity is not seen in the splendor and majesty of the universe, but in His ability to bring good out of some of the messy situations He has to work with.”  Let us hold on to that thought and on to the God who is infinitively creative.

John Whitsett

Prayer: Lord, though my life is filled with "messy situations," you are able to bring beauty out of the ashes and gladness out of the despair.  Thank you that your grace is infinitely creative!  Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 68:19-27

19 Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears us up; God is our salvation. Selah

20 Our God is a God of salvation, and to GOD, the Lord, belong deliverances from death.

21 But God will strike the heads of his enemies, the hairy crown of him who walks in his guilty ways.

22 The Lord said, "I will bring them back from Bashan, I will bring them back from the depths of the sea,

23 that you may strike your feet in their blood, that the tongues of your dogs may have their portion from the foe."

24 Your procession is seen, O God, the procession of my God, my King, into the sanctuary--

25 the singers in front, the musicians last, between them virgins playing tambourines:

26 "Bless God in the great congregation, the LORD, O you who are of Israel's fountain!"

27 There is Benjamin, the least of them, in the lead, the princes of Judah in their throng, the princes of Zebulun, the princes of Naphtali.