Justin Houtz

2 Chronicles 6:12–42, 1 John 5, Habakkuk 1, Luke 20

DateVersionReading Plan
December 6, 2024ESV (2016)M’Cheyne Plan 2024

2 Chronicles 6:12–42

Solomon stood before the assembly on a bronze platform he had built before the altar of the LORD. He knelt on the platform with arms toward heaven and prayed to the LORD. Solomon began his prayer with the acknowledgement of the LORD’s faithfulness and steadfastness in keeping covenant with His servants and asked that the LORD would keep the promise made to David. Solomon admitted that nothing can contain the LORD, much less the house that was built for Him, but that He would have regard for His servant, that His eyes may be open night and day toward the house. Solomon asked that the LORD listen to the pleas of Solomon and the people, to respond in forgiveness as their prayers were directed toward His house.

Solomon then petitioned the LORD for His grace in specific circumstances: sinning against neighbors, in Israel’s defeat, times of drought, famine, when a foreigner prays toward the LORD’s house, when His people go to battle against their enemies, when the people sin against the LORD, are taken captive and plead from the land of their captivity.

Solomon concluded his prayer by asking God that His eyes and ears be attentive to the prayer of that place, “asking God to take over the temple so the priests, the faithful people, and he—the anointed king—might rejoice in the nearness of God. He prayed that God would bless Israel for the sake of the promises to … David, which God did indeed do for Solomon and many generations of Judah’s kings.” (FSB)

1 John 5

1 John 5:10–12 (ESV) 10 Whoever believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself. Whoever does not believe God has made him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has borne concerning his Son. 11 And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.

“When a man does accept His testimony concerning His Son, God seals the truth by giving the man the witness of the Spirit in himself. On the other hand, if a man disbelieves God, he makes Him a liar; because he has not believed the testimony that God has given of His Son. People think they can accept or reject God’s testimony concerning Christ, but John would have them know that to reject it is to accuse God of dishonesty.” (BBC)

It is amazing to reflect on the fact that God has chosen believers to carry the testimony of Himself by giving them His Holy Spirit. What honor and sense of mission this engenders when we realize the testimony we bear. May we be gripped by this wondrous responsibility, proceeding in complete surrender to the Spirit’s leading, stewarding this honor well in order that we may be as faithful witnesses to Him.

Habakkuk 1

Habakkuk begins his oracle with a complaint to the LORD, asking how long he will cry for help, why he is made to see iniquity and reflecting on how justice goes forth perverted. The LORD answers that He is doing a work that Habakkuk would never believe if told, raising the Chaldeans to invade Judah to punish them for their sins. Habakkuk then questions God, asking how He could “punish Judah by a nation that was worse than they were? He argues with God based on his knowledge that God is of purer eyes than to behold evil, and cannot look on wickedness. And the Babylonians were undoubtedly wicked! However, Judah’s wickedness was greater, since the Jews were sinning against much greater light.” (BBC)

Habakkuk was not a self-centered person concerned only with the comfort and safety of himself and his family. As a true patriot, he was deeply distressed by the moral and spiritual conditions about him. He loved his nation, and knew it was moving ever closer to the precipice of destruction by continuing to break the laws of God. Therefore two anguished questions burst forth from his lips: How long? and Why? (BBC quoting Richard W. De Haan)

Luke 20

Luke 20:34–36 (ESV) 34 And Jesus said to them, “The sons of this age marry and are given in marriage, 35 but those who are considered worthy to attain to that age and to the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage, 36 for they cannot die anymore, because they are equal to angels and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection.

“Jesus answered that marriage is confined to this age. Those who are counted worthy are those who place faith in Christ because faith in Messiah is the only means by which anyone can be accepted by God (Rm 5:1; Gl 2:16). In heaven we will be like angels, who enjoy many meaningful relationships but do not marry or reproduce. After the resurrection, the human life cycle (birth, marriage, reproduction, death) is forever changed.” (FSB)

As a single man, it is heartening to be reminded of the temporality of marriage and that it is reserved for this life only. Whether I am to be married again remains to be seen, but being anchored to the realities of heaven’s economy is helpful in seeing my current situation from the proper perspective. Single or married, my calling to a life of faith in Christ and to be His ambassador is the same in every earthly context in which He sees fit to place me.

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