Wed., 12/23/15 Devotion (2 Chron. 28:22a)

Today's encouragement comes from 2 Chronicles 28:22a, where we read these words:

"Now in the time of his distress King Ahaz became increasingly unfaithful to the LORD."

Probably, most of us have known people like this. May we not be numbered among them. They encounter hardships in their lives, and their response is to become so furious at God—that they forsake Him utterly (by abandoning Christ's church and the gospel of grace). Instead of *going* to the only One who can actually *help* them in their distress—they flee even farther from Him than they were before.

In the case of the wicked King Ahaz of Judah (above), his problems were of his own making. He was a gross idolater. His worship of false gods brought on him (and his nation) great judgment. Then, when given an excellent oppor-tunity to repent, and embrace the True God—he "became increasingly un-faithful" to Him. May we learn from Ahaz' bad example; and may we always go to Jesus and His church when we are in trouble.

[Puritan quote of the day: "It is a harder thing to believe than to keep the Ten Commandments.” —William Bridge, in, "A Lifting Up for the Downcast”] GREAT QUOTE, BTW!