“Then the people of the land took Jehoahaz the son of Josiah, and made him king in his father’s place in Jerusalem. 2 Jehoahaz was twenty-three years old when he became king, and he reigned three months in Jerusalem. 3 Now the king of Egypt deposed him at Jerusalem; and he imposed on the land a tribute of one hundred talents of silver and a talent of gold. 4 Then the king of Egypt made Jehoahaz’s brother Eliakim king over Judah and Jerusalem, and changed his name to Jehoiakim. And Necho took Jehoahaz his brother and carried him off to Egypt. 5 Jehoiakim was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. And he did evil in the sight of the Lord his God.” 2 Chronicles 36:1-5 NKJV
Father God,
What has Your family come to. Those You particularly adopted from the time of Abraham. Israel have been carried off to Assyria and now Judah’s king, Josiah is killed in battle at the hands of the the King of Egypt. Jehoahaz reigns 3 months after him and then is disposed and taken to Egypt along with much of Judah’s wealth. His brother Jehoahaz becomes the Egyptian King Nacho’s puppet king choice. We are told he did evil in Your sight Lord God. He was probably the easiest brother to control!
It does not look good for God’s plans for His world, his creation and His nation’s people. It does not look good for the other nations which You have foretold will be judged also and not escape punishment.
And yet we know that some of those deported from Jerusalem are faithful to You and out of adversity comes faith. But for now God they have made their choices. And You? You chose to remain the same. Not abandoning, not forsaking, but calling and planning and providing for their present and future. As You are today, even when we cannot see it, understand it. You are moving in our world and moving in our lives. One day we will see.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Monday 6th July 2026
In our mess of a world, mess of a nation, words of encouragement we all need at sometimes. I did. I do.
Don’t assume that God’s dismissed you from his mind,
Don’t assume that God’s forgotten to be kind;
For no matter what you do, his love still follows you;
Don’t think that you have left him far behind.
Chorus
For his love remains the same,
He knows you by your name,
Don’t think because you failed him he despairs;
For he gives to those who ask
His grace for every task,
God plans for you in love for he still cares.
Don’t assume that God will plan for you no more,
Don’t assume that there’s no future to explore;
For your life he’ll re-design, the pattern be divine;
Don’t think that your repentance he’ll ignore.
Chorus
For his love remains the same,
He knows you by your name,
Don’t think because you failed him he despairs;
For he gives to those who ask
His grace for every task,
God plans for you in love for he still cares.
Third verse not included in video . . .
Don’t assume you cannot give what he’ll demand,
Don’t assume that God condemns you out of hand;
For he gives to those who ask his grace for every task;
Don’t think that God will fail to understand.
Lyrics and music: John Gowans and John Larsson.