September 26

The final chapters of 2 Kings and 2 Chronicles mark the fall of Jerusalem. After generations of disobedience and hardened hearts, God's warnings through the prophets come to pass. Babylon invades. The temple is destroyed. The people are taken into exile. It is one of the lowest points in Israel’s history—marked by fire, broken walls, and the silence of God’s presence from the temple. The nation’s pride is shattered.

Yet even in this place of devastation, hope is not lost. 2 Chronicles 36 ends not in despair but with a quiet promise. God stirs the heart of a Persian king to let His people go back home. A new beginning is possible—not because of Israel’s goodness, but because of God’s enduring mercy.

Psalm 126 captures the heart of restoration. It recalls a time when God brought the captives back to Zion. The people were like dreamers—filled with laughter and songs of joy. Even though they had sown in tears, they were now reaping with joy. This psalm is not just a remembrance; it is a prayer for God to do it again. It reminds us that we serve a God who restores what is lost and revives what seems beyond repair.

In 2 Corinthians 9, Paul turns the focus to generosity. He reminds the church that giving is not about pressure or performance—it is about the overflow of grace. Just as God provides seed to the sower, He enriches us in every way so we can be generous on every occasion. This kind of giving leads to thanksgiving and multiplies the glory of God.

When we hold all these texts together, we see a God who judges justly but also restores completely. He allows hardship but never wastes it. He calls us to sow—even in seasons of sorrow—with faith that He will bring a harvest. And in seasons of abundance, He invites us to give freely, trusting that He is our true Provider.

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