“In his time of trouble King Ahaz became even more unfaithful to the Lord” (2 Chronicles 28:22).
Times of trouble can lead people towards bitterness and further
rebellion against the Lord. On the other hand, times of trouble can be
precisely the times when God’s purpose is most powerfully fulfilled -
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of
compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our
troubles” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4). Ahaz’ rebellion against the Lord had negative effects on the whole of Israel. Scripture speaks of both “his downfall and the downfall of Israel” (2 Chronicles 28:23).
We receive comfort from the Lord so that we may have a positive effect
on others - “so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the
comfort we ourselves have received from God” (2 Corinthians 1:4).
As we consider what God is seeking, even in our troubles, to do in us
and for us, we must learn to say, with the Psalmist, “Praise the Lord, o
my soul, and forget not all His benefits” (Psalm 103:2).
Psalm 48:1-14 Lord, we worship You in the place of worship – “Within Your Temple, we meditate on Your unfailing love.” Help us to go out from there, and play our part in seeing that Your praise “reaches to the ends of the earth” (Psalm 48:: 9-11). How will other people know of Your love, if we don’t tell them? How will they find their way to Your House, if we don’t invite them? When we share Your Word with others, help us to remember Your promise: “My Word… will not return to Me empty, but will… achieve the purpose for which I sent it” (Isaiah 55:11).
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