DAY 169
Old Testament reading: 2 Chronicles 27-29
“Like father, not quite like son.” Jotham was the son of good king Uzziah, whose reign is recorded in chapter 28. Uzziah, like his father Amaziah, allowed his pride to get the best of him. Uzziah transgressed against the Lord by entering the temple and offering incense. For this sin he became a leper. However, Jotham did not fall prey to his fathers’ errors. Rather, he “became mighty, because he prepared his ways before the Lord his God” (27:6). In chapter 28 we find Ahaz, who “bought a pig in a poke” with the king of Assyria (28:16-21). Worse still, the more Ahaz was distressed, the more unfaithful he became (28:22). Our troubles should drive us TO God, not AWAY from Him. Chapter 29 reintroduces us to Hezekiah, one of the greatest kings in Judah’s storied history. Hezekiah’s actions remind us that in order to properly serve the Lord, we must remove the garbage, as it took Hezekiah 16 days to get the temple ready to observe the Passover (29:17).
New Testament reading: Hebrews 8-13
“Not forsaking the assembling of yourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching” (Heb 10:25). This is perhaps the most well known and oft-used verse on the need to be present for the worship assemblies. However, I do not believe the “day” here refers to Sunday. Rather, I believe it refers to the destruction of Jerusalem. Thus, in addition to the purpose of worship on the Lord’s Day, brethren were to be faithful to assemblies that they might be reminded of the signs of the coming of the Son of Man (Matt 24:30). Those who would forsake the assembly would soon forget to be watchful for these signs. In missing them, would fall prey to destruction wrought by the Romans upon Jerusalem and the surrounding region. We assemble today for these same purposes. First, we assemble to worship God as He has commanded and because He is worthy to be praised (cf Ps 18:3). Also, we are diligent to assemble to be reminded that a day is coming when Jesus shall return to judge the world in righteousness (Acts 17:31). Therefore, we must be diligent to be found by Him without spot and blameless (2 Pet 3:14). Those who forsake the assembly forget about this day and do not maintain their preparation for it.
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