Reflection on readings for July 24

The Lord lives!
Blessed be my rock,
and exalted be the God of my salvation,
(Psalm 18:46)

2 Chronicles 11:1-13:22
As the kingdom split, the Levites in the north moved south to Judah. Yet, Rehoboam abandoned allegiance to the Lord. The king of Egypt invaded taking fortified cities of Judah up to Jerusalem. As a prophet told Rehoboam, "You abandoned the Lord; so, the Lord has abandoned you." Rehoboam repented. Partial protection followed. Egypt took much of Jerusalem's treasures but refrained from complete destruction.

During the reign of his successor Abijah, Israel invaded Judah but was driven back.

Romans 8:26-39
....More groaning--in verse 26, the Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. Allen & Williamson in Preaching the Letters expand on this verse by saying:

The Spirit helps our praying. That the Spirit (roughly interchangeable with God or Christ in Paul) "groans" indicates that God is affected by us as we are affected (and effected--created) by God. God's passions can become our prayers, and our prayers can become God's passions.

Paul said, "For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son....And those whom he predestined, he also called..."

What do Methodists think about predestination? Here's what John Wesley said: On Predestination.

Paul is convinced that the love of God in Christ is eternal and inevitable.

Psalm 18:37-50

Proverbs 19:27-29
Cease straying, my child, from the words of knowledge,
in order that you may hear instruction.
A worthless witness mocks at justice,
and the mouth of the wicked devours iniquity.
Condemnation is ready for scoffers,
and flogging for the back of fools.

Prayer for Today: God, we acknowledge now that your Spirit has been with us, has supported us throughout sufferings. Remind us now that you will continue to be with, will continue to support us, that nothing or no one will be able to separate us from your love In Christ Jesus our Lord.