MEMORISE: There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.
Proverbs 21:30
BIBLE READING: 2 Chronicles 13:9-20
9 Have ye not cast out the priests of the Lord, the sons of Aaron, and the Levites, and have made you priests after the manner of the nations of other lands? so that whosoever cometh to consecrate himself with a young bullock and seven rams, the same may be a priest of them that are no gods.
10 But as for us, the Lord is our God, and we have not forsaken him; and the priests, which minister unto the Lord, are the sons of Aaron, and the Levites wait upon their business:
11 And they burn unto the Lord every morning and every evening burnt sacrifices and sweet incense: the shewbread also set they in order upon the pure table; and the candlestick of gold with the lamps thereof, to burn every evening: for we keep the charge of the Lord our God; but ye have forsaken him.
12 And, behold, God himself is with us for our captain, and his priests with sounding trumpets to cry alarm against you. O children of Israel, fight ye not against the Lord God of your fathers; for ye shall not prosper.
13 But Jeroboam caused an ambushment to come about behind them: so they were before Judah, and the ambushment was behind them.
14 And when Judah looked back, behold, the battle was before and behind: and they cried unto the Lord, and the priests sounded with the trumpets.
15 Then the men of Judah gave a shout: and as the men of Judah shouted, it came to pass, that God smote Jeroboam and all Israel before Abijah and Judah.
16 And the children of Israel fled before Judah: and God delivered them into their hand.
17 And Abijah and his people slew them with a great slaughter: so there fell down slain of Israel five hundred thousand chosen men.
18 Thus the children of Israel were brought under at that time, and the children of Judah prevailed, because they relied upon the Lord God of their fathers.
19 And Abijah pursued after Jeroboam, and took cities from him, Bethel with the towns thereof, and Jeshanah with the towns thereof, and Ephraim with the towns thereof.
20 Neither did Jeroboam recover strength again in the days of Abijah: and the Lord struck him, and he died.
MESSAGE:
Herod was a man who hated God; he did everything he could to hinder the work of the Lord, but eventually, he died a shameful death. After his death, the Bible says, “But the word of God grew and multiplied” (Acts 12:24). Anyone who tries to stand in the way of the Most High hates Him and is calling for death.
Some time ago, we wanted to dedicate a new parish in a country, but in the process of trying to get the necessary approvals, a government official swore to prevent it. The leaders of the parish called me to report the incident, and believe me, I didn’t even bother to pray about it. On the day of the meeting during which this government official was planning to have our application rejected, he put both feet into one trouser leg. While struggling with his trousers, he fell, hurt himself, and was rushed to the hospital. He died with both legs still in one leg of his trousers.
A fellow may claim that he or she is not opposing God’s work; however, if the fellow discourages other people from submitting to God’s word and the authority of His ministers, he or she is hindering the work of God and might suffer grave consequences if he or she fails to repent.
KEY POINT:
It is a dangerous thing to hinder the work of God.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
1 Kings 20:1-21:29, Acts 12:24-13:15