KING AHAZ

2nd Chronicles 28: 1-27

“He burned incense.....burned his children in the fire.....v3 encouraged moral decline.....v19...increasing unfaithful....v22 sacrificed to the gods of Damascus......v23....cut in pieces the articles of the house of God shut up the doors and made for himself altars in every corner of Jerusalem.v24

 A FRUSTRATED KING

It is a mystery as why Ted Bundy,given his family background turned out to be one of the worst serial killers in history. Ahaz fits this category. He had none of the qualities his father had.

In the ancient world, it was a  ritual to sacrifice one's own children, to get the attention of the gods. Ahaz got involved.When the Syrians defeated him in battle, he converted to their religion thinking their gods could help.Still nothing changed for him.Finally he cut up all the things that were used in Jehovah's worship and sealed its doors.All services were cancelled indefinitely. He was one frustrated man. Something was boiling below the surface.And He blamed God for whatever was troubling him.

The Bible does not promise that God will give everything in this life once we turn to Him.Take for example the verse in John 14:14. Jesus said “ If you ask anything in my Name I will do it.” Now this verse seems to promise strawberry ice-cream for all of us. But it was spoken in a particular context to the disciples before being sent out as missionaries.

The trying times. Saint Augustine described this season as “The dark night of the soul." You are not alone.Read about Job's agony and  Jonah's utter frustration. They all had their moments of intense private grief. But they did not resort to self destructive ways.Get a hold on yourself. The storm will pass somehow. The truth is-everyone is plagued by some inner struggle. Ahaz's let his frustration ruin him.Don't be undone by yours.  The Midnight Owl
Peope rarely believe that their problems arise from their own misdeeds and stupidity.  Robert Greene