2 Chron 35-36 I learn my lessons hard

May 20th, 2 Chronicles 35-36

       Today's chapter are a high-low moment. Josiah does things right. It is encouraging to see how much leadership can have it's effect on the events of the day. It's why we should pray for our leaders and why Christians should take up the call of leadership. First in our homes, then in our jobs, and in the world around us. The world needs some preservative more than ever so let us be the salt of the earth.
       I also appreciate how young Josiah was when he became King. Churches need to identify young leaders and equip them. Young people have an idealism and energy to pursue just that. Young people have a hope that things can be different when older folks have grown tired and cynical regarding the same issue. (There was a day when I thought there genuinely might be peace in the middle east, now it seems 4000 years of history is hard to reconcile, I've given up). Churches need to find space for young people to be engaged in leadership. I Timothy 4:12 is a guide for both sides of the coin...lead/set the example.
       The end of Chronicles is the end of an era. Jerusalem is captured and burned. 36:15 says..."The Lord, the God of their fathers, sent persistently to them by his messengers , because he had compassion on his people and on his dwelling place. But they kept mocking the messengers of God, despising his words and scoffing at his prophets, until the wrath of the Lord rose against his people, until there was no remedy." In a Facebook debate the other day someone said, God doesn't judge, why should you?" Answer... read the Bible and see if you actually know what your talking about?
       God is slow to anger and abounding in love, but eventually the child has to sit in time out to learn a lesson. Listening to the messenger is better. Some nations and people learn the hard way. If your one of those people who chooses to learn from your own experiences ONLY...well...don't be surprised if...