I have bunched two days’ worth of reading together in order to catch up but also because pretty much all these confusing chapters are about is the rise and fall of various kings of Judah and Israel.

They are not particularly illuminating, except one wonders why even the good kings do not “get rid of the worship on the high places.” That is, false gods of the previous inhabitants. Surely God will have told them to.

Anyway, so while the good kings do not suffer the horrors outlined yesterday, they nevertheless do often suffer quite a bit.

Psalm 47 is a triumphant psalm, with its famous line: “Clap your hands, all you people, shout unto God with a voice of triumph.”

Dear God, Thank you for the many moments of triumph and joy you have given me. Please help me to praise you rightly for them all. Please help me to recognise and hear your voice when you tell me to “take down the high places” – stop focussing on things other than you. Thank you for all the wonderful things you give us. Please watch over my home country Australia. Please help our governments preserve our assets well for all the generations to come. In Jesus’ name, Amen