I just finished 2 Chronicles in my daily bible reading plan. For you bible students when you read through the Old Testament, you discover that once you get to the book of Exodus, you see how God miraculously delivers His people from the slavery of Egypt. But no sooner does God bring deliverance and the nation starts heading toward all that God had promised to their forefather, you begin to identify a repeated pattern in the lives of God’s people.
What’s the repeated pattern?
1. An ongoing cycle of rejecting God’s commandments,
2. Turning to the gods of the surrounding wicked influences,
3. Finding themselves in bondage,
4. Crying out to God and promising to turn from their rebellion,
5. God having compassion on them and delivering them
6. Then…. they repeat the cycle all over again.
This cycle goes on from Exodus to Malachi. However, God was compassionate! He sent prophets and prophetesses, kings, priests and godly people who were willing to do just three things.
1. Declare God’s truth.
2. Make the commandments of the Lord their absolute authority on how to live, despite the times in which they lived.
3. Be a light to the ungodly nations.
Throughout history God has always had a remnant of men and women who would live by His standard of right and wrong, and His purposes no matter who agreed or disagreed.
What does this have to do with us as godly women today? The bible tells us, “Now these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction…” 1 Corinthians 10:11.
I love encouraging women in their walk with God! I’m finding however that there are questions and challenges that Christian women are battling with because God’s word say’s one thing and the world in which we live say’s something different. Many women want to hear that somehow both agree, the world and the church. With that said, I believe there has also been a shift in the message that is being preached by many so- called evangelical pulpits.
In the last sixty years the church has put such emphasis on being culturally relevant that we have catered to a generation that demands only the easy to swallow discipleship. The bible has undergone a twenty- first century makeover.As a result I’m seeing the word of God has been mauled, manipulated, and modified to make any audience happy. For that matter there are even passages of scripture that although they may be read aloud will be passed over in explanation and application because there might be a decrease in attendance.
As I was finishing 2 Chronicles, I refused to feel hopeless! I will hold on to the testimonies of the courageous few. Ladies, throughout biblical history God has recorded for us a remnant of those who were willing to take a stand. Even when it wasn’t popular or agreeable with their peers, even if it cost them prominence, position or the pleasures of this life. Their lives were set apart for God’s kingdom, His glory and the knowledge of Him.
Will you choose to rise up and join with me to live for God’s purpose? Will you rise up and make His word your final authority as a godly woman? I pray you will.
“For the eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His”. 2 Chronicles 16:9