Who Leads Us?

2 Chronicles 13:12a

God is with us; He is our leader.

Last week’s episode of Game of Thrones centered around the coming of Stannis to conquer King’s Landing.  News about his massive fleet reached the palace prior his coming, instilling anxiety and despair to everyone. All except the young King Jeoffrey. Dressed in arrogance and pride, he confidently talked success.  But when he saw that even after their wildfire first strike, and the enemies were still coming ashore, fear overtook him. He who was supposed to lead the fight asked his guards to represent him on the field of battle while he returned to his chambers. Shocked in disbelief, his men cried out:  ‘Who are we fighting for?’ ‘Who leads us?’

When Jeroboam drew up a battle line with eight hundred thousand able troops against King Abijah’s four hundred thousand, we can readily picture one side’s confidence and the other one’s creeping insecurity. But when Judah’s king stood on Mount Zemaraim and delivered his piece, there was no trace of any. No shaky hands, no cold feet, no stammering at all. He plainly stood on the truth that God was on his side, leading them. And true enough, at the sound of their battle cry, God was noted as first to move, smiting more than half of Jeroboam’s troops. We are not told how He struck the northeners, but what is sure is that He led in defending Judah, and won.

As leaders, whether in our homes, or workplace, or ministries, we are often regarded as the end of the line. That when anything and everything goes wrong, we’d be everyone’s last wall of defense. That’s one big responsibility and a scary thought. It’s as if we’re immune to fear, invisible to arrows and perfect in every move. How we wish we also have that luxury of not having the final say and let another carry all the weight. But we do have Someone. He’s actually wondering why instead of resting in His chambers, we’re trying to win everything on our own. That’s why we’re losing grounds. Let Him man that top post. He will never leave that wall until victory’s been won. I just praise Him for that load off!

Impeachment Revisited

2 Chronicles 12:8

They will, however, become subject to him, so that they may learn the difference between serving me and serving the kings of other lands."

Yesterday marked the closing of the our nation’s first trial against a Supreme Court chief justice. With 20 votes for conviction and only 3 for acquittal, Mr. Corona was pronounced guilty by the impeachment court.  His failure to disclose to the public his SALN as required by the constitution, amounting to 2.4 million USD and 80 million PHP, was found substantive betrayal of public trust. Although he earlier pleaded it was ‘in good faith’ to his interpretation of the Foreign Currency Deposit Law and explained that the other one was a commingled account, the senator-judges obviously did not buy it.  With his position plus all his credentials and experience, it is highly expected of him to best interpret the law and its application. One senator pounded on that importance. And so it’s almost funny when one senator admitted he is not well-versed in law matters, being just a high school graduate. But a lot of us can’t either. We’re just glad we don’t have to.   

In the fifth year of Rehoboam, after his kingly position was established and he had become strong, he and all Israel with him abandoned the law of the Lord. Because of their unfaithfulness, God allowed Egypt’s king to attack them. This Shishak captured their fortified cities and carried off all Solomon’s treasures - - meaning all that they long worked for and took pride in. Realizing it was because of their sin, Judah humbled themselves before the Lord and sought His deliverance.  The verse above was God’s response to their prayers. His mercy may grant them rescue from total destruction, but His justice would see that they get disciplined. They needed to see for themselves how liberating is God’s laws compared to tyrants. How His yoke is easy and His burden, light.

Listening to the senator-judges, with all their technical terms and cross references to R.A.’s and more numbers, I can’t help but compare it to the study of the Scriptures.  It likewise requires thoroughness and discipline to interpret it, same high standards for life’s application and practice, and a comparable call for accountability and responsibility.  It quite sounds not for the common Juan.  But unlike the law of the land that shouts total compliance (and a lot of paperworks!), God’s Word, although pro-excellence and submission, is not His measuring rod. Otherwise, we will all be impeached. He will not ask you in heaven whether you know this or that verse, not even whether you obeyed this or that law. His only question was: Did you put your faith in Jesus? I’m sure a lot of senator-like will cry in disbelief ‘That’s it?! Good faith? No cross examinations, no proof of evidence required?’  Well, that’s the difference between serving Him and the rulers of other lands. You won’t find any other tribunal acquitting the guilty. How much more justified? Only in God's court!

All Grown Up

2 Chronicles 12:1

After Rehoboam's position as king was established and he had become strong, he and all Israel with him abandoned the law of the LORD.

Priceless. That’s what parenting is to me. I couldn’t thank God enough for making me one. I may have oftentimes and alternately blurted out boredom and stress, but at the end of the day, I know it’s still the best job in the world. Nothing beats the joy of being hugged every morning and the tickling that follows ‘til they plead for breakfast; what a privilege to be given front seats to their latest stunts and silly make faces, or be called first when they sob for help;  and, who’d ever grow tired hearing them say ‘I love you’ and really meaning it!  I’m so blessed God called me to be a stay-home mom. Even greater blessing that He gave me kids who likewise (still!) want me with them 24/7.  Can they not grow old? hahaha :>

In the previous chapter, we can find Rehoboam quite doing well despite the divided kingdom occurrence. I mean, imagine his insecurity when his expected twelve tribes was downsized to two. That’s at least a hundred thousand fighting men scratched out from his army. No wonder his first agenda was to build up towns of defense and distribute weapons in the remaining cities. And God blessed the work of his hands. Even greater blessing when all the Levites and priests rallied to his side and sought the Lord’s pleasure with him. Sadly though, when they finally reached stability, when they felt there’s no more need to ask, they found no more need for God. We have a word for such people today: Users!

Oh how God must have felt! He who created us into His likeness, who thoughtfully designed our life’s course, who supported our first steps and saw us grow tall; He who is ever present in times of sorrow, who answers our prayers, and provides for our needs - - and then what? We ignore Him first thing in the morning, we eat our meals as if it’s a byproduct of our hardwork, we pursue a relationship and call it the best there is and give it all that we have. Oh why have we forsaken the One who first loved us? Where is that child in us who runs to Him for the joy of His attention, for the help He willingly gives, for the cuddling and tickling and I love you’s?  Are we old enough and stable enough to need His care? Man enough to need God?  Think again child.

Non-Listeners

2 Chronicles 11:4

'This is what the LORD says: Do not go up to fight against your brothers. Go home, every one of you, for this is my doing.'" So they obeyed the words of the LORD and turned back from marching against Jeroboam.

Short attention span or selective hearing? I want to believe the first one applies to my toddlers. It sounds more developmental. But the second one? Although behavioral psychology said it’s still part of the natural, the parent-in-me can’t help but consider it disobedience, even defiance. Because it hurts being ignored. Insulting too. Sometimes I resort to punishment, but it all the more proved their innate unwillingness to listen. So like adults actually. They do what they want to do and don’t want to be told. They shut down their faculties at the sight of everything un-fun.  I can’t give in nor give up of course.  I have to stand my ground. But I won’t deny I need to work on my listening skills as well :>

Rehoboam’s downfall was likewise because he failed to listen. His people came to him seeking for a lighter load than that of his father Solomon, but he angered them more. Instead of heeding the elders’ advice and show them kindness, he chose his peers’ loud voice to appear fearsome. Well, he did scare them off. Enough to decide he wasn’t the king they wanted. And enough to divide the kingdom. But what is interesting is that this non-listener, in just a few verses down, was said to be all-ears and compliant to the voice of God. He was already mustering his one hundred and eighty thousand fighting men to war against those rebels when God sent Shemaiah to stop him from going against their brothers. And he obeyed. He actually listened.

I’m sure you have your share of disappointments over those who can’t and won’t listen. Part of that list are those who were just hopping for advice ‘til they meet that one matching their preferences. More than being ignored, it hurts seeing them reject wisdom altogether. But our hope is in the truth that when God makes His stand, no hard hearts nor deaf ears will dare defy. Not even Pharaoh, or the prophet Jonah, or this King Rehoboam. No one. So let’s be patient. Their unresponsiveness is still within the bounds of God’s control. And keep praying. For them, and for ourselves. We do need to hear from God for our next move right?

Are You Happy?

2 Chronicles 9:7

How happy your men must be! How happy your officials, who continually stand before you and hear your wisdom!

Maybe it was the trend of the generation before us. But I’ve heard quite a lot stories of this kind: guest arrives in a home, the homemaker brings out their best linen, best plates, best recipes, all at the newcomer’s disposal, while her own kids wonder: ‘how come we don’t get to use those?’  I don’t need to go far into your homes. It happened in mine. My husband’s too. We’ve been teasing our moms about that for the longest time. Good thing their smiles and thoughtfulness weren’t for special occasions too. Because in some families, such were the sad cases.  

Reading again the Queen of Sheba Visits Solomon account, I wonder what difference would it make if her remark ‘How happy your men must be!’ wasn’t true at all. What if it was just a best foot forward show like what schools do when a DepEd representative visits, or when DOH officials check the sanitation of your business?  Imagine her coming in, overwhelmed with Solomon’s wisdom, and the order in his palace, and his pious temple service, and all she had were praises to God and commendations to the king, but at her going, everything shifts back to ‘normal’: the king locked in his library, the officials cursing one another, and the servants with their silenced complaints, ‘Happy? Yeah right!’ How ironic if would have been if that pagan queen praised God for their act, but the insiders weren’t a bit blessed at all.

I have two take homes here. First, as leaders (parents, teachers, bosses, etc), let’s ask ourselves, is our people really happy with us? Is the reputation outsiders hear runs parallel with what’s really happening inside? We may be good leaders up there, bringing down the house and all, but are we bringing it home? Second, as recipients of God’s wisdom, we who claim to have heard and known His word and will, can outsiders see the difference at all? Or are we the Pharisees in Matthew 12 who were close to the kingdom but with hearts far from the King? Or maybe the better question is, if all that there is in life is hearing His wisdom, if all He requires is we sit at His feet and read His Word, will our hearts be content and say ‘How happy am I!’ For if that’s not your case, does it follow then that this is the main reason why you’re not happy in life?   

House Leaks

2 Chronicles 8:2

Solomon rebuilt the villages that Hiram had given him, and settled Israelites in them.

Leaks in the ceiling, carpenter’s ants eating our walls, moisture-damaged vinyl tiles, rowdy kids in the neighborhood, ‘Anything else?’ was my stubborn complaint yesterday morning. I wish it was just some waking on the wrong side of the bed, or having a bad hair day, but this one? It brought me slouching in the corner, crying ‘I want out!’.  This house was supposed to be our transition place. I agreed because of the statement, ‘while we’re adjusting to the city and ‘til we’ve identified the best where to stay here’.  After a year and seven months, I declared, it’s time to call it quits.  

In 1 Kings 9, we’d find Solomon giving Hiram, king of Tyre, twenty towns in Galilee because the latter supplied him with all the cedar and pine and gold he wanted for his building projects. But when Hiram saw the towns, he was not pleased and called it ‘Cabul’ or good-for-nothing. Scholars say it was because these towns were not suitable for Tyre’s maritime industry, or in other words, not profitable to him. So here in 2 Chronicles, it noted that Hiram gave the villages back to Solomon. With a lot other good lands to attend to, we’d think that wise king would likewise brush the unpromising towns aside. But he did not. We can’t be sure if t’was really his next project after the grand temple and his own palace, but why it was first mentioned here cannot be ignored. He saw something in these towns for him to rebuild it. And the very fact that he called in Israelites to settle there, and not foreign slaves, meant he found the towns special. Then reading again: Galilee? Oh, this is definitely not some plain coincidence.

So imagine me crying discontent in the morning and being given this passage by lunchtime. If you’re not a believer, I don’t know what else you’d call it. It was undeniably God speaking to His child. It is He seeing what I’m going through, feeling it, and helping me go through it. It may not be how theologians would want us to interpret it, but here’s what I heard God say: ‘Why do you think I chose to spend my thirty years Galilee? It may be good-for-nothing for kings, poor, and sickness-stricken when I first stepped in, but did you see what changed after I left?  Was it economy or structure? Isn’t changed lives far better than all these?’ And so I had a good clean up all afternoon yesterday. Full house scrubbing, and heart’s too. And yes, we’re staying, until God says go. 

Why They Got Away With It

2 Chronicles 7:19,20a

“But if you turn away and forsake the decrees and commands I have given you and go off to serve other gods and worship them, then I will uproot Israel from my land”

For the longest time, I have been receiving text messages from this person complaining about her choir, and their worship team in general. “They have no commitment ate” she said. “They come in late, sometimes they’re just a handful, and once or twice, they won’t come at all.  The saddest part is that they won’t even drop an excuse nor any apology after.”  Imagine her waiting on the piano every weekend, clueless if anyone’s coming at all. I remember how I felt for that boy in Little Man Tate when nobody showed up for his birthday party. Such makes us frustrated and angry. We’d demand that someone takes the blame. Or at least something.

As early as Eden, whenever God engages man to a relationship with Him, or a task for Him, He makes sure pros and cons are in black in white. “Work at the garden, take care of it, and you may enjoy its fruit. But not the middle tree, or you will die.” He left no room for them to fall into sin because of ignorance. When they ate the fruit and found themselves naked, He did not say, “Ok, let’s make some rules here.” God established the system before He called people in. It was the same in Exodus. When He gave the commandments, He made clear the blessings of obedience, and the curses that come with disobedience. Same here with Solomon. God reminded him the Davidic covenant and His desire that he’d follow his father’s footsteps for the establishment of the royal kingdom. And then He itemized what will happen if he and Israel will choose otherwise. All in print. Out in the open.

We’ve seen broken relationships and breach of contracts left and right, and sadly, the very offenders are the ones we see free and yes, carefree. Adding insult to injury. And as much as we want to force them to make amends, the fact that we entered that relationship without provisions for possible breach, sealed that invisible right for them to ‘get away with it’. Now we know why it’s wise to be God-like in our dealings. It’s one thing to have faith in someone, but it’s another to teach them accountability and responsibility. This likewise applies to parenting and marriage, even ministry organizations. Take time to draft rules and make it clear to everyone. Otherwise, you know who’s to blame why discipline can’t take its place.  

Why Go to Church This Sunday?

2 Chronicles 6:21

Hear the supplications of your servant and of your people Israel when they pray toward this place. Hear from heaven, your dwelling place; and when you hear, forgive.

I had a good laugh weeks ago when we were finalizing our island trip. We were supposed to go with four other girls for rest and recreation-slash-mission exposure, but one of the girls backed out. When I asked her best bud for reasons, she blurted, ‘She hates the sun!’. She further shared that their last trip to the beautiful Boracay ended up with more time inside the room than the shoreline. Unimagineable! Going beach-fun minus the beach part? Hahaha!! Of course, she’s just exaggerating for my entertainment.

Reading Solomon’s lengthy prayer of dedication, you’d never miss seeing the word FORGIVE. You’d actually bump into it per major point he uttered. Whether in enemy’s defeat, in drought, in affliction or in captivity, the wrap up all spelled the word FORGIVE. Even his opening, general plea for God to  look and hear from heaven ended with the word FORGIVE. We have to remember that the context here was temple dedication. It wasn’t like he was asked to make a word study or confess something recent. He was unveiling the purpose why the temple was built, that is, to make peace with God. It implied that the asking, the blessings, our worship, our service, were all in the context of such mercies. The temple is the meeting of man’s greatest need and God’s greatest gift. It is why we go to church.

But is it why we go to church? The program-centered, modern version is we go to church to teach Sunday School, meet with our fellowship groups, take sermon notes, sing with the worship team,  and yes, stay after service to plan for more activities. Nothing wrong with those. The principles were even Bible-based. But not at the expense of forgetting the central theme of coming to worship. Jesus called the temple the House of Prayer. And by prayer, He meant, acknowledging who God is and adjusting your life, and requests, accordingly. That is why forgiveness is sought. We don’t go in with that wide gap and expect we’re instantaneously close and readily asking or serving or praising. “Away with you noise of your songs. I cannot stand the hypocrisy in your assemblies!” were His words in Amos’ time. “The sacrifice He desires is a broken spirit. He will not reject a broken and repentant heart” (Psalm 51). Have that check before and while you’re in church this Sunday. It’s why you’re there. Not for Mother’s Day, ok :>

File Overwrite

2 Chronicles 6:4

Then he said: "Praise be to the LORD, the God of Israel, who with his hands has fulfilled what he promised with his mouth to my father David.”

One full month of VBS daily preps and pressures, plus a 4-day mission exposure trip immediately after, and our family caught the unsurprising sum: pneumonia for Kjaran, flu for me, dry cough for Rilian, and gastro-something for Tris. But don’t get me wrong. It wasn’t because of all the busyness we did. Rather, it was more because we did nothing to prevent it. Forced to stay in bed, unable to speak or move for long, all I did for two days now was to note my lessons learned and submit the report to God. It was humbling and you could imagine my long face. But as always with God, He’s never done until it’s praiseworthy. He sent me back my paper this morning with a perfect score. Not from my handwriting of course. The file was overwritten. He covered it with grace, signing it with His very Name.  

After long years of wandering and waiting, Israel finally saw their nation secured in Solomon’s temple. With God Himself marking it with His Name and favor, they considered it peak in their history. The promise land conquest may have been their victory, but this was the enjoyment of it. The fruit of David’s battles. The peace and prosperity longed for. The sum of it all. But on a personal note, Solomon saw the Temple as a promise kept to his family. With detailed answers to his father’s prayers. Every beam and frame and wall richly provided. Every furnishing according to specifications. And on that day of dedication, seeing the priests, the craftsmen, the officials, and all the people, all who contributed for the rise of the grand Temple, his heart remembered that day David prayed for him. And before his very eyes, God overwhelmed him with answers: the temple finished, every willing, skillful man helped out, and all the people obeyed his every command. Exactly the very words David uttered.

That prayer in 1 Chronicles 28:20-21 was God’s word to me that night when I was so tired and down from VBS preps. It was the promise of hope I carried with me every time I had to collect my guts and stand amidst my competent, efficient, hardworking team. Reading the verse above, how God fulfilled His promise to David, I readily referred back to what He promised Solomon… and ME. And every word, which was hope to me last month, is now an answered prayer.  And so, I’m making this choice that every time I’ll remember April 2012, I’ll not end with ‘…and we got sick after' or '..because I failed somewhere’. Rather, I’ll boast that this month was a job well done. A perfect score. Not for what I did of course. That was already overwritten. This file is tagged Promise Kept, Answered Prayer, and Praise Worthy.  File saved!