2 Chronicles 31-33, Psalms 109

What God said to me – Manasseh was a king of Judah who unlike his father, Hezekiah, did evil in My sight – he didn’t just do evil – he did much evil.  He practiced horrible idolatry and went so far as to sacrifice his own sons to them.  He practiced witchcraft and sorcery and even went so far as to set up an idol and altar in My house.  I spoke to he and his people, but they paid no attention to Me.  I finally allowed the commanders of the king of Assyria to come against them and Manasseh was captured and bound and taken to Babylon.  It would seem to be the end to a horrible story and yet . . . “I AM” a God Who loves His people and Who forgives them when they humble themselves and pray and turn from their wicked ways and seek My face.  I did just that with Manasseh.  When he was in such horrible distress he finally sought Me and humbled himself and believed.  I heard his prayer and was moved by his supplication and brought him home to Jerusalem.  After he got home, he tore down the idols and cleansed My temple.  He bore fruit in keeping with repentance.  You see one of the signs that someone has truly repented and believed is what happens afterwards – they bear fruit in keeping with repentance – the change in their heart and life is obvious. How about you?  Are you living in such a way that it is obvious you belong to Me?

2 Chronicles 28-30, Psalms 108

What God said to me – I have called My people to be separate from the world however that does not mean that you isolate yourself from society.  You must be holy because “I AM” holy.  Your lifestyle should be markedly different from that of the world – the things you watch or read or say or do should distinguish you.  It is never easy to be labeled as “different” and as the world becomes more and more perverse that difference will be more and more distinct.  Look at Ahaz and Hezekiah – both were kings of Judah.  One did what was right in My sight and one did not.  Ahaz succumbed to the idolatry of the world around him, but Hezekiah rejected it, cleansed My temple, and led My people back to Me.  Never underestimate the power that being “different” for Me can have in ministering and witnessing to those around you.

2 Chronicles 25-27, Psalms 107

What God said to me – There is a difference between following Me and following Me with your whole heart.  There is nothing greater than to be devoted to Me with all your heart and mind and soul and strength.  Knowing Me and walking with Me are the greatest achievements of a lifetime.  Faithfulness and steadfastness day in and day out, year after year is not easy.  Walking with Me in times of difficulty and in the midst of the battle is in many ways easier than being steadfast in times of prosperity and ease.  During trouble you constantly seek Me because you recognize your need, so you seek My help and direction.  In times of peace and prosperity it is easy to become complacent so you must be extra vigilant and devoted to Me during these times.