July 29, 2025 -Hear My Plea

2 KINGS 21:1-9

2 CHRONICLES 33:1-9

2 KINGS 21:10-17

2 CHRONICLES 33:10-19

2 KINGS 21:18

2 CHRONICLES 33:20

2 KINGS 21:19-26

2 CHRONICLES 33:21-25

2 KINGS 22:1-2

2 CHRONICLES 34:1-7

JEREMIAH 1:1-2:22

Chronological Bible Readings

2 Chronicles 33:7 He took the image he had made and put it in God’s temple, of which God had said to David and to his son Solomon, “In this temple and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, I will put my Name forever.

When I read this the question "What idols do we bring into the house of God now?" came to mind. Our church building is often called the house of the Lord. Even through the building itself is just a building the place that the body of Christ comes together is where He is present. In Matthew 18 Jesus says, '²⁰ For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” '. The church is where we most frequently come together in Jesus' name. What idols do we set up in the house of God? I think this is a question worthy of prayer. I can say that there are surely days that I come into church with things other than Him occupying my focus. My heart and mind are on other things and I have to come to recognize when it is happening and get my focus right. But for this I am thinking that there are things that are more permanent. Things that do not just take away from my focus on God but can hinder others. This was an image that was permanent, and it became the focus of everyone. Not just for Manasseh. I don't have an answer yet, but the question was too quick and too loud in my head not to take note of it. Perhaps it is cautionary. As an elder in the church, I need to be careful not to erect any false images. I need to stay alert with eyes to see and ears to hear.

2 Chronicles 33:10 The Lord spoke to Manasseh and his people, but they paid no attention. 11 So the Lord brought against them the army commanders of the king of Assyria, who took Manasseh prisoner, put a hook in his nose, bound him with bronze shackles and took him to Babylon. 12 In his distress he sought the favor of the Lord his God and humbled himself greatly before the God of his ancestors. 13 And when he prayed to him, the Lord was moved by his entreaty and listened to his plea; so he brought him back to Jerusalem and to his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the Lord is God.

Lord, I pray that when you speak to me, I would hear, understand and pay attention. I hope that there would not be any need to bring me to a point of such great distress before I would seek your favor. I want to come before you with a humble and contrite heart so that I might hear and follow your word. Lord, I know that you are God and pray that you would keep me on a straight path. Lord hear my plea, that I would not stray from You and be lost.