Wednesday, March 9: 2Chronicles 10- When trouble strikes

·         From the outside their marriage looked great.  Then the economy turned, he was laid off and eventually divorce ensued…

·         The cursory inspection missed the small stress fractures in the bridge.  Then one day the unthinkable…an entire span collapsed shortly after the height of rush hour…

·         Earlier this year we have watched as seemingly strong Egypt erupts in protest and the government of 30 years is pushed out of power…

·         Jim Fixx, a guru of running, who recently passed his yearly physical with flying colors drops dead from a heart attack while doing what he loves, running…

Things can look good on the outside, sometimes.  Having passed a brief inspection recently, yet a stressor happens, a bridge collapses; the marriage breaks up; country divides or the person dies -THE SYSTEM FAILS. Why? Because things on the inside were in trouble and no one noticed.

Solomon built a colossal empire with gold and glint and yet, apparently, he built it on the backs of the people (4). We know from the Book of 1Kings that there was rampant unfaithfulness, due in large measure to Solomon’s personal apostasy. Israel’s foundation in the Lord was not strong and God had promised to judge them if they turned from Him.

In today’s reading the stressor happened.  There was a change of power and Reheboam, Solomon’s son, was not schooled well enough to handle it. As a result, the unthinkable happened, Israel divided. The once powerful nation was no more… and never would it reach the height of glory it had under Solomon –fools’ glory that it was.

Today’s account invites me (and you) to do a thorough examination of our foundation. The operative word is THOROUGH… anyone/anything can pass a cursory inspection, thus the key word ‘thorough’.

Lent (today is Ash Wednesday) offers us 7 weeks, 40 days, to inspect the faith foundation of our lives.  It is an opportunity not only to think through what we believe, but also to examine how well we are putting into practice what we believe.  ‘Thorough’ inspection is the key!

Lord, walk with me this Lent.  Take me to deep places with You and help me to have Your eyes to inspect my life, my beliefs, my behaviors, my dreams, my intentions, … in the light of You and Your word.  In and through Jesus and by the power of the Holy Spirit, I pray. Amen.

 

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