Right Start

2 Kings 25:9

He set fire to the temple of the LORD, the royal palace and all the houses of Jerusalem. Every important building he burned down.

In five hours, our side of the world will welcome the new year with a bang. For most Pinoys, it will be loud countdowns followed by a sumptuous meal with their families and friends. To some, although prohibited, it will be with firecrackers, even guns. With my kids, we announced we’re having a ‘Noisy Night!’ We told them it will be a time to shout and jump and run around, and that mom will not stop them. Rilian’s eyes grew big in excitement, maybe in disbelief, with that last one, haha! Everyone’s idea is to face the new year joyous and with high hopes. A time to seal one’s past as done and gone, and a time to look and move ahead and start all over again.

The sky was also fiery that time in Judah. But not in celebration, or hope. Jerusalem was literally burning. God’s temple included. It was their darkest hour. Like their northern brothers, they were taken captives. The noise all around signaled that what they had was past, and what’s ahead is gone. The Babylonians divided them in two: the strong and skillful were dragged as slaves, the poorest were left behind. I don’t know If I’d rather be rich or poor that time. With the temple burned down, even their last resort to return to God seemed gone. Who else can save them now?

With 2011 almost behind us, we wish all bad things will die with it. A strip-down of all negative vibes so we could inhale some positive karma. Some think loud noises will drive away those bad spirits or round fruits and pocketful of coins can bring in abundance. Traditions cannot ensure a good future, nor will religion. For why would a God of hope allow His temple to be desecrated if it was the main thing? God is the main thing! Turning back from Him was the sin that caused Judah’s future to grow dim. Fireworks can’t cover sins’ tracks. It will be a dim future - a dark 2012 – if we’ll continue to deceive ourselves that we can do life without God; that we can bury those sins underground so that no consequence will haunt us back; that we can restart anew without repentance and His forgiveness. Judah was given nth chances to come to terms with God. But they resisted 'til t’was forfeited. We have a chance here to make it right this time. Be right with Him and rest assured, 2012 will be more than just alright. With God, it will be your best year ever!

'Spring' Cleaning in December

2 Kings 23:26

Nevertheless, the LORD did not turn away from the heat of his fierce anger, which burned against Judah because of all that Manasseh had done to provoke him to anger.

In between Christmas and New Year, homemakers everywhere unite in one more major event in their calendars: 'Spring' Cleaning! (for lack of a better term, haha :>) Wikipedia notes that this practice originated in Persia, calling it ‘khooneh tekouni’ or literally, ‘shaking the house’ before the new year. Another possible origin was no less than the Jews’ preparation for Passover where they strictly had to make sure no yeast will be found in their homes. I sincerely wish they had vacuum cleaners before. Turning our homes upside down is no easy task. The fun part is when everyone shares in the work. The fulfilling part is when we can finally breathe in fresh air to our hearts’ content.  Of course we know the family will sure mess it all up again in no time. But still we vainly hope for the shine to last and be kept all year. *We Wish! :>

When the pious Hezekiah died, chapter twenty one gave us two kings of Judah who were his complete opposite: Manasseh, Judah’s longest reigning, most evil king and Amon, whose two years echoed his father’s detestable walk. They rebuilt all that Hezekiah’s zeal destroyed. They even surpassed the sins the pagan nations the Lord destroyed before them. It was in Manasseh’s term that God finally gave up Judah because of the innocent blood that filled Jerusalem from end to end. It was a miracle that their bloodline would produce the reformer Josiah. In his spring cleaning of the whole land from idolatry, the book of the Law was found and he readily ordered everyone, from the greatest to the least, to come to terms with the covenant. His leadership brought them back to temple worship, but God knew the pretense in the people’s hearts. As long as he lived, they did not fail to follow the Lord. When he died, so did their devotion. No wonder the Lord was not willing to forgive. No genuine repentance happened in the first place.

Imagine the hardwork of Josiah’s spring cleaning: burning all carved idols, smashing down altars, slaughtering pagan priests. It was a national thing, extending even to Samaria. He passionately want it all gone for the land to breathe anew. He prayed it will be clean living for all henceforth. With the Bible on his hand, he was hopeful. But still his people failed him. Yesterday, I went to church to clean the kids Sunday School area. God called me to head this ministry for 2012 and with His Word to lead us, I am hopeful. The vision is to see the kids and teachers alike growing in their faith.  Today, God reminded me I can’t. Not even with good leadership, nor thoughtful plans, not even with Bible on hand (I was surprised and shaken with that last part).  I suddenly felt helpless and discouraged. I realized that not even godly efforts or sincere hearts can guarantee success. It was so humbling. But to trust Him is to hope in Him. Our God is a gracious God. He will not force men to respond to Him, but His love is sooo patient to willingly wait. As parents and teachers, that’s where we come in. The most we can do is to direct our children towards a direction and pray they’d take that step. Let’s pray they’d take that step. It may mean calling for regular clean ups and an all-year round bible reading. Then let’s hope that in time, they’d really see the Cross and accept His cleansing power. Only then they’d really be white as snow :>

Coincidence or Providence?

2 Kings 15:8

Hezekiah had asked Isaiah, "What will be the sign that the LORD will heal me and that I will go up to the temple of the LORD on the third day from now?"

I am one paranoid, protective homemaker. Early in our marriage, I pushed the idea of calling gas delivery services and be vulnerably alone with them. When we transferred here in Cebu City, all the more I begged Tris not to ask me to overcome my insecurities, this time for water delivery. But the wife in me had to submit. Weeks ago, I became suspicious when the usual water boy came in with another young man. 'Two for one big bottle? Really?!'.  Early this morning, I got a text from the water station asking if I want a delivery. ‘Hmm, that never happened before.’ I called Tris and he agreed to not give in, even if it might just be a sales idea. When I opened the Bible for my daily reading, there was Hezekiah showing all his treasures to Babylon envoys which later became a sign, that soon, everything in his palace will be carried off to Babylon. Hmm, plain coincidence or divine providence?

Earlier in the chapter, Hezekiah was down in bed, at the point of death. The prophet Isaiah went to him and confirmed it was fatal. As always, especially in hard times, the king’s first resort was God. He turned to the wall and wept out his heart. He still had no son as heir and his kingdom was unstably facing foreign threats. He sought God’s favor in light of His covenant to those whose walk is faithful and upright.  God heard and he was given another fifteen years. With his failing body and fragile spirits, he humbly asked for a sign to confirm if God will really heal him. He was offered an option and so he asked for the sun to move ten degrees back. It did and his faith was again strengthened.

"Ask the LORD your God for a sign, whether in the deepest depths or in the highest heights." These were the words of Isaiah to Hezekiah’s father, Ahaz, when Aram and Samaria were invading Judah. God had earlier revealed deliverance and Ahaz was asked to put his confidence in God by seeking His miraculous hands. But he did not and it displeased the Lord. Hezekiah may have known the story that’s why he sought for a sign and was satisfied. So does this mean we can ask God for signs? YES, on the premise that He first revealed His word and we’re simply asking for confirmation. And NO, if in pretense we say it’s an act of seeking direction when actually, it’s at the expense of not exercising His wisdom. We don’t say, ‘If this sign happens, it’s God’s will for me.’ Instead, we seek to grow in His word to know His will so that when He orchestrates things to wonderfully happen, we can ask for a sign to validate it. Signs are the by-product of a relationship.  God never intends it as a one-time, isolated case. Coincidence means accidental.  Divine providence declares God is in control. Our eyes need to intently watch His hands and see His every move. And when we’re ready for His wonders - - that’s the sign we can ask for one.  

Surviving 2011

2 Kings 19:31

For out of Jerusalem will come a remnant, and out of Mount Zion a band of survivors. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.

One week before Christmas, tropical storm Sendong swept Southern Philippines leaving 1,236 dead and and still 1,079 missing. In Antipolo City, three days before Christmas, an 18-wheeler truck plowed a row of houses, leaving 8 people dead, including a 1 year old boy. On Christmas morning in Connecticut U.S.A., CNN reported a housefire trapping two adults and three children inside. These are tragic stories, highlighted by the fact that it all happened in what we call ‘the most wonderful time of the year’. We can’t help but grieve and question why. But what we often fail to see is heaven’s grace on the far end of the stats: 69,287 in evacuation centers, 12 injuries treated in hospitals, and 2 people who came out of the house alive. Makes me think: shouldn’t survivors be the headliners instead?

With the fall of northern Israel in Assyrian hands, Judah, at the time of Hezekiah faced the same threat – EXILE. Phase one, in the form of a siege, was operational here. Their water supply was already cut and with no way in or out, famine was sure next. In prolonged sieges, many would rather die than being eaten alive. Sennacherib’s arrogant offer was an easy surrender. An admittance that Assyria was more powerful than God Himself. Despite all pressures, Hezekiah never lost his faith. And God honored him with a sign of deliverance: REMNANTS. It was Israel’s hope in Assyria, and soon, Judah’s in Babylon. A time where God will gather a band of survivors back to Himself. With God’s zeal sealing it, t’was their only light in darkness, the good news amidst the bad.

It is again the time of the year when we all look back twelve months past and rate it as good or bad. Emotional quotients, trending news and support groups do have a great deal of influence on our tally sheets. The sum total will definitely dictate our attitudes in facing the new year. But given the facts and figures of the hardships we’ve had - in bold prints - the tendency is for us to headline 2012 as another cycle of rocks. But aren’t we all still breathing, at least?  We’ve always been proud to have been tagged as the smiling nation amidst fire and floods. We’re seasoned survivors! God may have allowed tragedies to happen, but are we even aware how many did He withhold in mercy? He may have taken lives from us, but have we considered they were first and foremost given? Choose to count those blessings. And believe there’s more to come. Say it with me: I’m a 2011 survivor! I have reasons to praise. More reasons to hope :>

HOPE-y New Year

2 Kings 19:14

Hezekiah received the letter from the messengers and read it. Then he went up to the temple of the LORD and spread it out before the LORD.

If there is one thing we’re so proud about our mother, it’s her devotion to the Lord. Her consistency in waking up very early in the morning for her bible reading and prayer time is admirable. Do you know that she keeps an accounting of our finances and brings it to her ‘meetings with God’? She would literally do the math in His presence and point out the imbalance in her sheets.  There and there she’d cry out her worries and her hopes for His miracle. Then God would remind her to flip back those pages and see His unfailing provisions in the past. As the sun rises anew, so will her faith. The resources may still be on the way, but the miracle already happened in her heart. She knew that today will be tomorrow’s past and her prayers now will be her next morning’s praise!

Hezekiah was introduced in this chapter as one who walked with God as David did. He devoted his first years in office to spiritual reforms – smashing idolatry and reestablishing temple worship. We’d expect rewards to flow and follow that rally for righteousness. But in the middle of his reign, Assyria marched against Judah and stopped that flow to the city. First their treasuries, then the water, then their morale. Sennacherib was taunting everything they could possibly hold on to. Through his messengers, he belittled their army, laughed at their allegiance with Egypt, questioned Hezekiah’s leadership and mocked their dependence on God. He even sent the king a letter to formalize his call to compromise. Hezekiah was here again pushed to wall, hardly breathing. But he did not call-a-friend or asked the audience or independently sorted if there’s still some 50/50 chance. He ran to his only lifeline and there laid the letter open, asking God to read every word and respond from heaven. He probably entered the temple still lame and feeble, but he sure left there strengthened and not a bit insecure. Now I know where my mom got that concept :>

We all want to end our year with books cleared and hearts at peace. But with ten days left, it’s a panic to meet that work quota, or pay our debts, or restore those broken relationships. For how can we even begin to restart life aright if we’d be carrying that weight over? We hate the thought that while others are celebrating Christmas, we’re down with workload, and long faces too. That while others are enjoying their friends and families, were skipping ours because of they can’t forgive us or the other way around. Your list may have more to it and you feel so pinned down. But truth says, there’s no such thing as unbearable. God made sure there’s a way of escape for everything.  Now, if we could all just jot down our cries, spread it out before the Lord and have the faith of Hezekiah (and my mom too!), then instead of still-dark dawn, it’d be the beauty of sunrise that will greet us in the morning. Hope-y New Year Everyone!

Rewiring and Resolutions

2 Kings 18:4

He removed the high places, smashed the sacred stones and cut down the Asherah poles. He broke into pieces the bronze snake Moses had made, for up to that time the Israelites had been burning incense to it. (It was called Nehushtan.)

When the Romans named the first month of the calendar after the mythical, two-faced Janus, they marked new year’s eve to be the time where they too could look backward and forward at the same time. Since then, it has become a ritual, pagans and Christians alike, to reflect on the flaws of the past year and resolve to change it on the coming year. According to an innovation specialist, of those making lists, 34% set resolutions related to money, 38% to weight, 47% on self improvement, and 31% on relationships.  Sadly, achievement rate is only 8%. Three out of four people never succeeded. Psychology Today explains, ‘Trying to change that default thinking by ‘not trying to do it,’ in effect just strengthens it. Change requires creating new neural pathways from new thinking.’ In short, we have to rewire our brains.

Of the twenty kings of Judah, eight were mentioned good, but only three had the description: ‘He did what was pleasing in the eyes of the Lord, as his father David had done’. The other five may have ruled right, but only Asa, Hezekiah, and Josiah chose to be men after God’s own heart. What’s the difference? The verse above serves as our best clue. The good kings made efforts to get rid of the idolatry in the land. They actually did well in starting the resolution list.  Then somewhere along the line, instead of stepping further, they stopped. They became settled. Unlike the three godly kings whose zeal were unstoppable until the idols were marked removed, smashed, and cut down. But those were just the observable, behavioral results. What really happened was the rewiring of their brains. They first made sure theirs were connected and in tune with God’s heartbeat.  With their devotion in place, they have no need for positive thinking or willpower. They succeeded because it was all His thoughts, His will, and His power at work.

It’s fifteen days to new year and usually, our heading writes, ‘My Resolution For 2012’. With that, I could easily jot down healthier meals, earlier mornings and happier kids to my list. But should it really be MY name on that paper? What if for once we follow the three kings’ template and put God’s Name and His will on top? Do we have the feeling He’ll say: ‘Read your bible, pray everyday’?  Or are we more afraid He’ll say ‘Take up your cross and follow Me’? Making Him the Lord of our 2012 implies our resignation as life managers. But haven’t we been failing on this duty for many years now? Let go and let God! Change happens not in doing things but by trusting in Him. If we really want freedom from our past and have a promising future ahead - - begin with God. He’s the only way to a really happy new year.

Enemy At The Gates

2 Kings 17:27

Then the king of Assyria gave this order: ‘Have one of the priests you took captive from Samaria go back to live there and teach the people what the god of the land requires.’

They hate you openly. Aside from causing you harm, they will also make sure you wouldn’t experience anything good. That’s how your enemies work. It seems they have nothing in their minds, and hands, but your downfall. He’s the horrible boss who wouldn’t let you have that promotion; the controlling, abusive spouse you’re sleeping in with; or, your X-Men first class bud turned Magneto. Thankfully, I don’t have much personal stories except for some mean, gossip girls. But I have known friends who were left damaged and distrusting because of these people. I’m sure they were begging for an exemption to love their enemies. Or for God to at least change the command ‘love’ to ‘civil’. Not bad right?

When the prophet Jonah opted to disobey God rather than preach to Niniveh, as humans, we would find it understandable. Assyrians were cruel people. They instill so much fear to their captives that they’d be half defeated even before the attack. If Jonah knew Israel would soon be deported, dragged naked and in fish hooks to that heathen land, he’d rather be inside the fish belly ‘til today. Replacing the Israelites in the towns of Samaria, the Assyrian king brought in settlers from their realm. Some believed poor remnants from Manasseh and Ephraim intermarried with these pagans, giving birth to the Samaritans. Now we’d understand why the Jews hated them.  What they don’t understand was why God was gracious to them. Why did He send a prophet there before the exile? Why was Jesus talking to that woman by the well? Why would the Bible even allot verses telling us that they could be a good neighbor or a thankful leper? In our verse today, we even saw God orchestrating an Israelite priest to teach them God’s law. Why not infest them with more lions instead?

Resisting God’s command to love our enemies is withholding that opportunity for them to experience God’s forgiveness and grace. It’s our silent revenge for all the sufferings we shouldn’t have endured. They have taken away a lot from us - - this one we will not give! But when the cross took God’s only son from heaven, he too undeservedly suffered from His brutal enemies – the Romans, the Jews, and us. It was our sins that nailed Him there. Yet His first words were still ‘Father, forgive them!’ Being civil is not Christian enough. Not doing anything bad doesn’t mean you’re already doing good. So who’s that person pulling you down and pushing you hard? Will you let their hate overcome you? Or will you allow God’s love - an even powerful weapon – overwhelm them? The Bible said, ‘If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink’. Now, if he’s outside your gates, shouldn’t you let him in? :>

God’s Gym

2 Kings 17:7

All this took place because the Israelites had sinned against the LORD their God, who had brought them up out of Egypt from under the power of Pharaoh king of Egypt. They worshiped other gods and followed the practices of the nations the LORD had driven out before them, as well as the practices that the kings of Israel had introduced.

Last year, because of health reasons, my husband went through a very strict diet. Being far away from us for six months helped him a lot in the discipline. Since there’s no one to prepare his meals and eat outs were expensive, his power drink was his best option. He felt great to have lost those 15 pounds. That was last year. Today, he had those fifteen back in his body. Although he flatters me that it’s because of my good cooking, he feels bad he wasn’t able to sustain his light weight. He tried some will power every other week, haha!, but it still fails him. There’s really no such thing as crash diets. It has to be a lifestyle change.       

If Israel was a diet, they we’re on the crash side. They’re forgetful, very stubborn, and so undisciplined. They cried for God’s deliverance from the cruelties of Egypt, and when He did, we see them worshipping the golden calves they left behind. They longed for the promise land, but when He gave, they were unwilling to drive away the pagan nations as instructed. It’s like wanting to be fit and healthy without giving up those sweets. In the book of Judges ‘til Solomon’s reign, it was a roller coaster ride with the scales. For as long as the instructors are watching, they’d keep their pace. But on rest stance and on special occasions, they’d break the fast. In time, the lapses grew long, became the norm, and having bulges was new fashion statement. Egypt and the pagan nations were no longer enemies, they called them allies. If before, they were running from them in fear, here in Hoshea’s reign, they were running to them for help. If before, they were hoping to have a land, an identity of their own, here we see them embracing another’s culture, making it their own. They grew obese in sin and sadly, they care not.

All sin leads to death. But when it comes to tempt us, it is never dressed up in bitter taste. It is often sugar-coated and appealing to the eye. It first lures us, then will entice us, and when the desire has conceived, it will give birth to sin, leading to death. Addiction follows the same trend. Just a day, a step, a taste. It will not readily hurt us or anyone. We see no need in raising our guard – ‘til it’s too big. Then it’s too late.  Sure, crash spirituality is a good jumpstart. New year can be a good timing. But without consistency, it will be just another diet. What the Bible teaches is a lifestyle of godliness. A daily walking with God – reading His Word, saying a prayer, watching Him move. Big leaps of faith do start from little steps of faithfulness. It may look trivial, may appear no-brainer, but mind you, the basics are the hardest to do. So if it’s your first time back at God’s gym, I have some few tips here: Commit to a Schedule, Start Small, Get a Buddy, Avoid Long Breaks, and of course, Make it Fun! Who says a work out with God is boring? Challenging yes, but never boring. Ready to get into your best shape ever? Let's go!

Don’t Cut the Rope

2 Kings 16:18

He took away the Sabbath canopy that had been built at the temple and removed the royal entryway outside the temple of the LORD, in deference to the king of Assyria.

We just had a full week. Literally. From Thursday to Monday, three high school friends flew here and stayed with us for their much-needed vacation. Then Monday to Thursday, another set came - twelve people(!) - to supposedly-attend CBAP’s Biennial Conference.  No, I did not attempt to serve them all day. They love me enough to expect that, haha :> Really, I had nothing in my hands except prepare their beds and buy the morning bread. That shouldn’t be tiring. But you don’t expect a host to let you eat your breakfast alone or sleep ahead and not care.  I had to be watchful and waiting for anything and everything, at all times. Plus the required smiles of course :> I was so tired I slept all weekend to recharge. But does this mean I’m quitting on this hospitality thing-y? Nah! Believe it or else, I’m missing them all!  You don’t bite an apple and say it’s a hard chew. You taste an apple to enjoy its sweetness :>

Ahaz was Judah’s royal blacksheep. Labeled as the most unfaithful to the Lord, he knew he was one and lived it. He envied the prodigal son for he had a Father waiting for his return. He knew his rebellion angered God and so he never came back. He was all alone when the Edomites and the Philistines attacked him and when Israel called Syria to fight against him. He felt he had no choice but to be a vassal of another enemy, Assyria. Further down, he bowed down to a lot other gods to save him. He offered them wealth, even threw his sons in the fire. He was all-out in pleasing them. He was passionately desperate in fact. He thought, ‘Since their gods helped them win, I will sacrifice to them so they will help me too!’ And so he carved their idols, copied their altars, and later on, like a last straw - -  he removed the pathway connecting the palace to the temple.  He was hard-pressed on every side, persecuted, and struck down. He said: ‘If God is quitting on me, then I’m quitting on Him!’

But did God quit on him? Will He ever to us? Hanging there on the cross, Jesus knew countless people will defy and deny Him. But didn’t He endure ‘til His last breath for mankind’s salvation? Didn't He die for both naughty and nice? God never left Ahaz. Here’s a trivia: Do you know to whom did the prophecy of the virgin birth and Jesus being Immanuel first spoken to? It was to Ahaz! That time when was shaken from Aram and Ephraim, God sent the prophet Isaiah with these words: ‘Be careful, keep calm, don’t be afraid’. God’s promise of help to Ahaz was Jesus Himself!  God never left him.  God’s grace even honored him to be part of Jesus’ genealogy. But sadly, he still quitted on God. Waiting was not his option. Words was not enough for him. But to you, hang on in there. Don’t cut the rope linking you and heaven. He has His hands on you. Don’t let go.  

Born Replicas

2 Kings 16:11

So Uriah the priest built an altar in accordance with all the plans that King Ahaz had sent from Damascus and finished it before King Ahaz returned.

I may be five days behind, but I’ll still say it with glee: Happy December everyone! Indeed, ‘tis the season to be jolly - the weather is cold, people are kind-er, and yes, Christmas decors are all up. This year, for the first time, I’m far away from my mom and her boxes of holiday ornaments. It’s a lot easier if you have supplies and allow creativity take its course. But to create from scratch? How do I choose a tree for instance? To think it’d be THE tree for a decade at least. Thanks to Google, I was able to find samples and inspirations too. Now all I have to do is gather my preferences, add some personal touch, and voila! I can have my own themed house. Of course I’d fool myself and sign as the designer, hahaha :>

When King Ahaz  sat on the throne of Judah at age twenty, it seems his eye was fixed on making his name known, that is, apart from being the son of the silver jubilarian Jotham or his golden grandpa Uzziah. He wanted his own signature, and a distinction under that seal. So instead of walking in the traditional, godly ways of his fathers, he made himself different, hip and updated. He browsed through foreign religions and found sacrificing his son in the fire appealing.  Later on, when he visited Damascus, he saw an altar there and readily sent a sketch to Uriah the priest to make a replica. Not many had the luxury traveling to and fro Syria and sure there were no strict copyright laws then. He could easily claim all glamour and glory for the new temple add-on. But his vanity crossed more lines. Not only did he insult God’s original design for a bronze altar, he completely discredited its use by pushing it back row to give way to his new altar. Regardless if in pretense, he ordered burnt offerings to continue there, we know for sure it never reached heaven’s gates. It may be bigger in size, trendy to some – but it still came short of THE standard. Fancy, but still a waste.

Anything not done in God's way is an offense to God's worth. As sole creator and idea-‘man’, it is an insult to deviate from His set rules and standards. He may have used up only six days and called it good, it doesn’t mean He wasn’t thorough and that His good isn’t best. The Bible may have been written three thousand years ago, by some uneducated men according to critics, but with God inspiring those hands, it’s still to us relevant and to the world, the best seller. Why? Because God is peerless! He is above all. Man’s greatest achievement is but a faint forgery of His works. We may try pushing His name on the back row but that cannot hide the truth that it shouldn’t be our signatures sealing those projects, keeping those relationships, meeting those needs. We are merely replicas inspired by His excellence, instructed by His love. We are all but copies – crafted in the image of the Almighty. We’re called to conform to the likeness of His Son, not to pursue originality. Maybe that’s the clue why we’re not functioning quite well in life – we’re deviating from His intended design.  Now, we have twenty six days to consider a restart, to choose to embrace being His replicas. Second class? Nah! We are the faithful copy of God’s firstborn. Woew! You sure you still have better ideas?