April 16, 2024 - 2 Chronicles 14-16

King Abijah “built up the fortified cities of Judah, since the land was at peace. No one was at war with him during those years, for the Lord gave him rest.  ‘Let us build up these towns,’ he said to Judah, ‘and put walls around them, with towers, gates and bars. The land is still ours, because we have sought the Lord our God; we sought him and he has given us rest on every side.’  So they built and prospered”| (14:6-7).  We  live in a world that often seems to be in turmoil with no relief in sight.  Our world, our nation, our families, our own individual lives . . . sometimes, it seems as if our days are filled, with nothing but anxiety.  But hear the Chronicler as he writes about Abijah:  “The Lord gave him rest.”  And hear Abijah’s own testimony:  “We have sought the Lord our God; we sought him and he has given us rest on every side.”

In another place, David testified, “My eyes are ever on the Lord, for only he will release my feet from the snare.  Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted.  Relieve the troubles of my heart and free me from my anguish” (Psalm 25:15-17).  Lidie Edmunds got it right:

My faith has found a resting place . . .

Enough for me that Jesus saves,

this ends my fear and doubt;

a sinful soul, I come to him,

he’ll never cast me out.

I need no other argument,

I need no other plea,

it is enough that Jesus died,

and that he died for me.   –Lidie Edmunds (1890)