SOAP FOR TODAY

Scripture for today:  2 Kings 21; 2 Chronicles 33; John 4 

Scripture-My special verse today:  2 Chron. 33:12 In his distress he sought the favor of the LORD his God and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers. 13 And when he prayed to him, the LORD was moved by his entreaty and listened to his plea; so he brought him back to Jerusalem and to his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD is God. 

Observation:  Manasseh was evil as was his generation before him.  He learned well.  However, when he hits bottom he calls upon the Lord.  The Lord shows mercy for him and restores him back to his kingdom.  Manasseh then believes the God is truly the one and only Lord.

Application:  How evil is enough that God will turn his back on his children?  Do you have to be a little evil, very evil or completely evil – down to the bone evil?  From this scripture, it appears Manasseh is a proud man of heritage, carrying on the evil ways of those before him.  However, God never leaves him.  When he cries out for God, he is there showing mercy and restoring him to power.  For my own life, I hope my name is never followed by, “and she did evil in the Lord’s sight.”  However, it is so freeing to know that God does in fact show mercy on the unworthy, of which I definitely hold a membership card.  He is truly able to restore me whenever he so chooses.  I just hope I can stay the course.

Prayer:  Let me be humble before you.  Though I try really hard to stay on your side, I seem to always slip up.  Let me stay close to you and show mercy upon me when I deserve it the least.

SOAP FOR TODAY

Scripture for today:  2 Kings 18; 2 Kings 19; 2 Chronicles 32; James 5 

Scripture-My special verse today:  2 Chron. 32:8 - With him is only the arm of flesh, but with us is the LORD our God to help us and to fight our battles.” And the people gained confidence from what Hezekiah the king of Judah said. 

Observation:  The people are trying to defend their city in what appears to be an impossible situation.  However, they depend on Hezekiah to tell them what the Lord is leading them to do.  Although their outcome seems bleak, they trust in God’s messenger and when he rallies the troops, they are encouraged.

 Application:  When God calls me to do something, do I act as if I have divine power behind me?  I try to live each day in his favor, only to doubt the outcome in many cases.  I do not truly believe that God’s power is sufficient for me to overcome anything the world might throw my way.

According to this verse, I need to trust that God’s calling of me to do something is reason enough to do it and do it with confidence.  Although the world may say the outcome is unrealistic, with God it is a sure thing! 

 Prayer:  Dear Lord, let me trust in all you say and call me to do.  Let me trust in you and not in the world’s outcomes.  I can be so much stronger if I know your voice and act upon it – never questioning the outcome because of your presence.

SOAP FOR TODAY

Scripture for today:  2 Chronicles 29; 2 Chronicles 30; 2 Chronicles 31; James 4 

Scripture-My special verse today:2 Chronicles 30:19-20.  But Hezekiah prayed for them, saying, “May the LORD, who is good, pardon everyone 19 who sets his heart on seeking God—the LORD, the God of his fathers—even if he is not clean according to the rules of the sanctuary.” 20 And the LORD heard Hezekiah and healed the people. 

Observation:  Although the people have good intentions, they are unwilling to fully get right with God.  They want the blessing and relationship without change.  However, Hezekiah realizes they are not properly “clean” but begs God to spare them punishment.  Because of Hezekiah’s earnest prayer God decides to honor his request. 

 Application:  According to this verse, God means what he means.  He wants the people to come before him clean as he demands.  When they are unwilling to do so, he plans to send judgement upon them.  Only Hezekiah’s prayer stops God’s plan.  This shows that a faithful person can indeed stop the punishment God has in mind just by being humble and sincere.

Am I willing to stand in the gap for others?  Do I fall on my knees to beg God to allow them mercy or do I really care at all?  What a great example of love for fellow man.

 Prayer:  Let me be driven by love of others and willing to fall at your feet and beg mercy for those trying but unwilling to go the whole way.  Let me show them the way but may they see love in me first.