The Benefit of Hindsight预览

The God of Chronicles

In so many ways, today’s verse is the only appropriate ending for the Chronicler.

He has spent much ink tracing the kings of Judah and their faithfulness or faithlessness to God. Chronicles has shown the ups and downs of the kingdom of Judah—mostly downs—and tracked their defeat and journey into exile.

But the exile is not the point of the Chronicler’s efforts. The entire 70 years of captivity is treated in two short verses (2 Chronicles 36:20-21).

Instead of lingering on the captivity, the Chronicler fast-forwards, from the moment of being carried off to the moment when King Cyrus decrees their return.

It is not as if nothing significant happened during the captivity, but for those who were returning and living in the newness of Israel after exile, what was important was being back in the Promised Land.

They (and we) need to know that God is the God of history—of the past, present, and future. The events of our lives may or may not match what we envision for ourselves, but God is still overseeing them.

Putting the Name and power of “the LORD, God of heaven” in the mouth of Cyrus, king of Persia, was a simple affirmation that no matter who and no matter where, God was still in control.

Men, it is all too easy to feel like things are spiraling out of control. Our cultural and political situations can cause deep distress and unrest. It is easy to feel things are far from the way God would have them, and indeed, they could well be.

However, that does not mean He has abandoned us or is no longer in control.

It is difficult to see from our limited perspective where and what God may be doing.

But that is the point of Chronicles.

We need to, like the Chronicler, rehearse where God has been and what He has done for us and His Kingdom. We will see God when we look at history from a different perspective.

Prayer: God, it is true; so many things in the world make it difficult to see You. Help me to live in trust that You are there even when the kings of this world seem to push You aside. This is Your world, and You have not abandoned it. Thank You for Your faithfulness to us. Amen.

Reflection: What circumstances in your life have you most anxious to see God move? How can you show that you trust Him in those areas?

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