There are two chapters assigned for today!

SCRIPTURE: 2 Chronicles 16
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
Asa became so angry with Hanani for saying this that he threw him into prison and put him in stocks. At that time Asa also began to oppress some of his people. [2 Chronicles 16:10]
For Herod had arrested and imprisoned John as a favor to his wife Herodias (the former wife of Herod’s brother Philip). John had been telling Herod, “It is against God’s law for you to marry her.” Herod wanted to kill John, but he was afraid of a riot, because all the people believed John was a prophet. [Matthew 14:3-5]
Here we have too stories of kings that get mad when God’s prophet challenges them; Asa did not want to hear Hanani, and Herod did not want to hear John.
But ignoring a prophet, or sticking them in prison does not make the message go away.
Behind the message is God, whether we like it or not: The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. What a fool you have been! [2 Chronicles 16:9]

If there is a God, then God’s message is important.
We can disregard the message, we can close the book, we can stop up our ears and bury our heads; we can imprison, torture or kill the messengers… but we cannot make the truth of the message go away.
If there is a God, then God’s existence and priority will impact us one day!
Like a meteor that is far, far away, yet on a collision course with earth – to far to confirm or to calculate, but coming nevertheless.
If a prophet declares a warning about it, but no one believes the message, their lack of belief will not change the fact that the meteor is coming.
If eating a certain ingredient causes cancer, yet research has not yet confirmed it – and if a lone scientist warns about the dangers but no one listens – not believing the warning will not make the danger go away.

Jesus communicates the good news message of God’s love and God’s kingdom, and He confirms the message with miracles, teaching and personal sacrifice.
It is not true because we believe it; it is true whether we believe it or not.
We have a choice to make, will we listen to the invitations and warnings of Hanani or John the Baptist, or will we silence the messengers.
Our world today is experiencing the consequences of rejecting God, practicing and even celebrating immorality, defying God’s moral boundaries and ruining God’s creation.
Will we ignore the message, or silence the messengers?
Or will we admit the truth of the message, and repent (turn around, change our ways)?
However we respond to God’s message, there will be consequences – whether we believe it or not.

PRAYER:
Lord, I have chosen to believe in You. I have lots of questions and struggles, but deep down I believe that You are right, that following You is the best thing to do. Help me to heed Your message!