2 Chronicles 29 & 30: It Is In Mine Heart
Verse of the Day: (29:10) Now it is in mine heart to make a covenant with the LORD God of Israel, that his fierce wrath may turn away from us.

1. Heart (29:1-29)
And the priests killed them, and they made reconciliation with their blood upon the altar, to make an atonement for all Israel; for the king commanded that the burnt offering and the sin offering should be made for all Israel. (29:24)

Hezekiah succeeded Ahaz, his father, as the King of Judah, and he was a good king. He commanded the priests and the Levites to sanctify themselves before they repaired God’s house, and worship only the God of Israel. He had his heart to make a covenant with God so that Israel shall escape His fierce wrath. He then gathered the people, and commanded the priests to offer 7 bullocks, 7 rams, 7 lambs and 7 he goats on God’s altar for the burnt and sin offerings by shedding the blood of the sacrifices as an atonement of the sins of all Israel. Indeed, this was the prophecy of the coming of Jesus, the Son of God, to die on the cross, and shed His blood, as the ultimate sacrifice for the sins of the world. (Hebrews 9)   

2. Head (29:30-36)
Moreover Hezekiah the king and the princes commanded the Levites to sing praise unto the LORD with the words of David, and of Asaph the seer. And they sang praises with gladness, and they bowed their heads and worshipped. (29:30)

When God forgave the sins of Israel, they rejoiced and thanked Him bowing their heads in submission and humility for all that God had done for them. The people then willingly and joyfully offered 70 bullocks, 100 rams and 200 lambs for a burnt offering, and also consecrated 600 oxen and 3,000 sheep until the priests had to call in the Levites to help them with the flaying of these generous offerings. Indeed, our greatest joy is when we bow our heads and hearts, and receive Jesus as our Saviour. This was what Jesus did when He bowed his head to His Father, and proclaimed, “It is finished!” He gave His life for the world, that whoever believes in Him shall have eternal life with Him. (John 19:30)

3. Heal (30:1-27)
And the LORD hearkened to Hezekiah, and healed the people. (30:20)

Hezekiah invited the people from the northern kingdom, who were now under the Assyrians after their defeat to them, to God’s house at Jerusalem to observe the Passover, which was an important event reminding them of how God saved them during the time of their bondage in Egypt. (Exodus 12) He then instituted the Passover on the second month so that those who were not sanctified could have the chance to repent of their sins. (Numbers 9:9-14) He loved and obeyed God in his heart, and God answered his prayer by healing them and forgiving their sins as they turned to Him in repentance. (1 John 1:9-10)

Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You that You have put in my heart to truly love You and others.

2 Chronicles 27 & 28: The Fierce Wrath Of The LORD
Verse of the Day: (28:11) Now hear me therefore, and deliver the captives again, which ye have taken captive of your brethren: for the fierce wrath of the LORD is upon you. 

1. Ways (27:1-9)
So Jotham became mighty, because he prepared his ways before the LORD his God. (27:6)

Jotham succeeded Uzziah, his father, as the King of Judah, and he was a good king as he loved God and his people and built cities for them, as well as castles and towers to protect them from their enemies. Though he prepared his ways before God and led his people to victory over their enemies, yet his people still rebelled against God. Indeed, let us continue to live for God, our Saviour and Judge, even though many may reject Him, as one day we shall give an account of ourselves and our works to Him. (Romans 14:1-12)

2. Walk (28:1-5)
For he walked in the ways of the kings of Israel, and made also molten images for Baalim. (28:2)

Ahaz succeeded Jotham, his father, as the King of Judah, and unlike his father, he was an evil king who sinned against God by worshipping idols like all the nineteen bad kings of Israel. He even burnt his own children as sacrifices to the idols. God then judged him and Judah, by sending the Syrians and Israel, their own brothers, to attack them. Many of them were killed, and those who survived were brought to Damascus as their slaves. Indeed, let us flee from the darkness of sins, and walk in the light of God. (1 John 1:5-7)

3. Wrath (28:6-27)
And said unto them, Ye shall not bring in the captives hither: for whereas we have offended against the LORD already, ye intend to add more to our sins and to our trespass: for our trespass is great, and there is fierce wrath against Israel. (28:13)

God’s fierce wrath was upon the people of Israel, because they had killed many of their own brothers, the people of Judah and Jerusalem, and took the rest of them to Samaria as their slaves. However, Ahaz also grievously sinned against God as he worshipped the gods of Damascus, and even asked the kings of Assyria, instead of the Almighty God, to help him from the invasion of all his enemies, the likes of Syria, Israel, the Edomites and the Philistines. Subsequently, God severely humbled and punished Ahaz and the people of Judah by allowing all their enemies to defeat and destroy them. At the same time, the Assyrians also invaded and defeated Israel. They killed many of the people of Israel, and completely destroyed the kingdom of Israel, with Hoshea as their last king. (2 Kings 17) It was a sad day for God’s people of both Judah and Israel. Indeed, let us avoid God’s wrath by doing what is right before Him, as we shall reap what we sow. (Galatians 6:7-10)

Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to flee from Your fierce wrath by submitting to You.

2 Chronicles 25 & 26: Be Strong For The Battle
Verse of the Day: (25:8) But if thou wilt go, do it, be strong for the battle: God shall make thee fall before the enemy: for God hath power to help, and to cast down.

1. Strong (25:1-16)
Now it came to pass, after that Amaziah was come from the slaughter of the Edomites, that he brought the gods of the children of Seir, and set them up to be his gods, and bowed down himself before them, and burned incense unto them. (25:14)

Amaziah who succeeded Joash, his father, as the King of Judah, after the latter was killed by his servants, was a good king. He then ordered the killing of his father’s murderers, but spared their children, because he obeyed God’s laws that every man shall be responsible for his own sins. (Deuteronomy 24:16) Subsequently, Amaziah sinned against God, as after a victory over the Edomites, he took their idols and worship them. While there was no king who was good among the 19 kings of Israel, there were 8 among the 20 kings of Judah who were good, but they still strayed from God. However, God still commended them as good, because of His love, grace and mercy, as well as their faith in Him. Indeed, by God’s grace, we are saved through our faith in Jesus. (Ephesians 2:4-10) 

2. Son (25:17-28)
And Joash king of Israel sent to Amaziah king of Judah, saying, The thistle that was in Lebanon sent to the cedar that was in Lebanon, saying, Give thy daughter to my son to wife: and there passed by a wild beast that was in Lebanon, and trode down the thistle. (25:18)

King Joash of Israel illustrated a parable to Amaziah, by portraying the latter as a tiny thistle, who had the audacity to order him, whom he portrayed himself as the big cedar, to have his daughter married to Amaziah’s son. God then allowed Joash to humble and defeat Amaziah as the latter had become proud. Subsequently, God judged and punished Amaziah by allowing his own people to conspire and killed him. Indeed, let us humble ourselves before God knowing that we are truly nothing without Him. (James 4:6-10) 

3. Sanctuary (26:1-23)
And they withstood Uzziah the king, and said unto him, It appertaineth not unto thee, Uzziah, to burn incense unto the LORD, but to the priests the sons of Aaron, that are consecrated to burn incense: go out of the sanctuary; for thou hast trespassed; neither shall it be for thine honour from the LORD God. (26:18)

Uzziah succeeded his father, Amaziah, as the King of Judah, after the latter’s death. Though he was a good king, yet he became proud, and broke God’s law by entering the sanctuary to burn incense which only the priests would perform. God then inflicted him with leprosy until his death. Indeed, let us be humble and flee from pride. (1 John 2:15-17) 

Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to be strong yet humble before You amid my life battle.

2 Chronicles 23 & 24: The Conspiracy
Verse of the Day: (24:25) And when they were departed from him, (for they left him in great diseases,) his own servants conspired against him for the blood of the sons of Jehoiada the priest, and slew him on his bed, and he died: and they buried him in the city of David, but they buried him not in the sepulchres of the kings.

1. Covenant (23:1-21)
And Jehoiada made a covenant between him, and between all the people, and between the king, that they should be the LORD’s people. (23:16)

Jehoiada, the priest, strengthened his godly influence over the people as he rallied them to reinstate Joash as the king of Judah instead of Athaliah who had usurped the throne after the death of King Ahaziah, her son. When Athaliah discovered that the people had made Joash the king, she denounced the enthronement. Jehoiada then ordered the soldiers to kill her. Jehoiada also made a covenant with the new King Joash and Judah to return to the worship of their true God. Indeed, Jesus is our Mediator of the new covenant as He had reconciled us to God by the shedding of His blood upon His death. (Hebrews 12:24)

2. Chest (24:1-14)
And at the king’s commandment they made a chest, and set it without at the gate of the house of the LORD. (24:8)

Joash was a good king while Jehoiada, the priest, was alive, as he listened to his godly advice. Joash rallied Judah in worshipping God, and repairing His house as Athaliah had led the people into idolatry, and had not only neglected God’s house, but took all the dedicated items from it and brought them for the worship of their idols. Joash also commanded a chest to be built so that the people would give for the repair work. Indeed, let us give generously to God as He had given us His best, His Son, Jesus. (John 3:16)

3. Conspiracy (24:15-27)
And they conspired against him, and stoned him with stones at the commandment of the king in the court of the house of the LORD. (24:21)

After Jehoiada’s death, Joash strayed from God as he listened to the advice of his ungodly princes. Joash not only made the people worshipped idols but he also conspired with the princes by ordering his soldiers to stone Zechariah, who succeeded Jehoiada, his father, as the priest, to death, when the latter rebuked them for forsaking God. Subsequently, God punished Judah by sending the Syrians to defeat them. Joash was severely wounded from the battle, and while resting on his bed, his servants killed him. Though Joash was buried in the city of David, yet he was not buried among the kings, while Jehoiada, the priest, had the honour to be buried among the kings, because Joash had strayed from God. Indeed, let us obey God and flee from evil. (1 Timothy 6:11-12)

Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to follow Your Word and flee from conspiracy and evil.

2 Chronicles 19 & 20: The Beauty Of Holiness
Verse of the Day: (20:21) And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the LORD, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the LORD; for his mercy endureth for ever.

1. Heart (19:1-11)
And he charged them, saying, Thus shall ye do in the fear of the LORD, faithfully, and with a perfect heart. (19:9)

Prophet Jehu told King Jehoshaphat of Judah that God’s anger was upon him for making alliance with the wicked King Ahab of Israel during their battle against the Syrians. Nevertheless, God forgave Jehoshaphat, because he had repented his sins, and sought after Him with his heart. Indeed, let us confess and repent our sins, and God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)

2. Hear (20:1-13)
If, when evil cometh upon us, as the sword, judgment, or pestilence, or famine, we stand before this house, and in thy presence, (for thy name is in this house,) and cry unto thee in our affliction, then thou wilt hear and help. (20:9)

Soon after the battle against the Syrians, Jehoshaphat now faced the battle against the Moabites and the Ammonites. Jehoshaphat immediately went to God’s house, and sought after Him to help him fight against his mighty enemies. At the same time, he also called for a fast throughout all Judah. Indeed, let us fast and seek and call upon God in the day of trouble, and He shall hear and deliver us, and we shall then glorify Him. (Psalms 50:15)  

3. Holiness (20:14-37)
Then upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite of the sons of Asaph, came the Spirit of the LORD in the midst of the congregation; (20:14)

God’s Spirit came to Jahaziel, a Levite, who told Jehoshaphat to be still before Him, and appoint singers to praise Him for His beauty of holiness and mercy as the army of Judah followed behind them, and then He shall grant them victory over their enemies. Subsequently, God destroyed the Ammonites, the Moabites and the inhabitants of Seir by stirring them to destroy one another. After the victory, the people of Judah got away with abundant riches that were left behind by their enemies. However, at the later stage of his life, Jehoshaphat made alliance with the wicked King Ahaziah of Israel. God then judged and chastised him. This was the second time that he sinned against God by making alliance with a wicked king, as the first time he made alliance with the wicked King Ahab of Israel. Indeed, though we are never perfect, yet let us keep on perfecting God’s beauty of holiness in our lives by fearing and trusting Him in everything. (2 Corinthians 7:1)
 
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You for Your beauty of holiness as I trust You for everything.

2 Chronicles 21 & 22: God’s Promises
Verse of the Day: (21:7) Howbeit the LORD would not destroy the house of David, because of the covenant that he had made with David, and as he promised to give a light to him and to his sons for ever.

1. Promises (21:1-11)
And he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, like as did the house of Ahab: for he had the daughter of Ahab to wife: and he wrought that which was evil in the eyes of the LORD. (21:6)

Jehoram succeeded his father, King Jehoshaphat of Judah, and he did that which was evil in God’s sight, just like all the wicked kings of Israel, as he killed all his brothers whom he believed were threat to his throne. However, God had earlier promised Abraham that He shall preserve his descendants as they shall be the line of Jesus Christ. (Genesis 12:1-3) Indeed, let us trust God’s promises as they are sure, and His greatest promise is that we shall have a heaven to gain and a hell to shun, when we believe in Jesus. (2 Peter 1:1-4)

2. Plague (21:12-20)
Behold, with a great plague will the LORD smite thy people, and thy children, and thy wives, and all thy goods: (21:14)

God punished Jehoram for leading Judah into sins by inflicting him with a deadly disease and sending a great plague that destroyed many of his people and their possessions, which He had earlier prophesied through Prophet Elijah. God also moved his enemies, the Philistines and the Arabians, to destroy Judah including Jehoram’s family, allowing only Jehoahaz, his youngest son, as the sole survivor, in order to preserve the line of Jesus. Indeed, God shall execute His judgment upon the ungodly for their sins. (Jude 1-25)

3. Priest (22:1-12)
But Jehoshabeath, the daughter of the king, took Joash the son of Ahaziah, and stole him from among the king’s sons that were slain, and put him and his nurse in a bedchamber. So Jehoshabeath, the daughter of king Jehoram, the wife of Jehoiada the priest, (for she was the sister of Ahaziah,) hid him from Athaliah, so that she slew him not. (22:11)

Ahaziah or Jehoahaz succeeded his father, King Jehoram, however, his reign was short, as Jehu killed both him and King Jehoram of Israel when Ahaziah made alliance with Jehoram. Athaliah, Ahaziah’s mother, then became the ruler of Judah, and she ruthlessly killed all her grandsons to protect her throne. Again, God protected the line of Jesus when He moved Jehoshabeath, the wife of Priest Jehoiada, to hide Joash, the only son of Ahaziah, her brother, from being killed by Queen Athaliah. Indeed, God shall protect His people and priests as we call upon Him as our Saviour and High Priest. (1 Peter 2:9-10)

Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You that Your promises are sure and steadfast as I trust in You.

2 Chronicles 17 & 18: I Hate Him
Verse of the Day: (18:7) And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, There is yet one man, by whom we may enquire of the LORD: but I hate him; for he never prophesied good unto me, but always evil: the same is Micaiah the son of Imla. And Jehoshaphat said, Let not the king say so.

1. Heart (17:1-19)
And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the LORD: moreover he took away the high places and groves out of Judah. (17:6)

Jehoshaphat of Judah succeeded his father, Asa, and he was a godly king. Jehoshaphat humbled and purified his heart before God, and taught His Word to all his people, and God blessed and prospered them, so that no nation would dare to make war with them as God’s fear was throughout all the kingdoms. Indeed, let us humble and purify our hearts before God, and draw near to Him, and He shall bless and draw near to us. (James 4:6-10)

2. Hate (18:1-30)
Now Jehoshaphat had riches and honour in abundance, and joined affinity with Ahab. (18:1)

The one fatal mistake that godly Jehoshaphat made was to associate himself with ungodly Ahab of Israel. It was the start of Jehoshaphat’s fall from God’s grace. Ahab was bent to do evil, and he hated God’s prophets and their prophecy. However, he reluctantly commanded Micaiah, God’s prophet, to come and prophesied to them when Jehoshaphat insisted upon consulting God. However, Ahab and Jehoshaphat still proceeded to battle against Syria at Ramothgilead even when Micaiah prophesied that they would surely be defeated. One of Ahab’s man then struck Micaiah’s cheek before Ahab threw him into prison just because he was God’s prophet speaking God’s truth. Indeed, let us be sober and vigilant as the world and the devil hate us because we are God’s people, and let us trust our faithful God who shall see us through all our life crises. (1 Corinthians 10:12-13)
 
3. Help (18:31-34)
And it came to pass, when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, that they said, It is the king of Israel. Therefore they compassed about him to fight: but Jehoshaphat cried out, and the LORD helped him; and God moved them to depart from him. (18:31)

During the battle, God allowed a soldier to randomly shoot an arrow at Ahab, and he subsequently died from his injury. Though Ahab disguised himself so that the Syrians would not recognise him, yet he was killed. Though Jehoshaphat wore his royal robe, yet he escaped death, because he called upon God. Our lives are in God’s hands, and let us call upon Him, and He shall deliver us, as He is our God and Helper. (Hebrews 13:5-6)

Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You that the world hates and rejects me, because I love You.

2 Chronicles 15 & 16: Seek The LORD
Verse of the Day: (15:12) And they entered into a covenant to seek the LORD God of their fathers with all their heart and with all their soul;

1. Be Strong (15:1-7)
Be ye strong therefore, and let not your hands be weak: for your work shall be rewarded. (15:7)

God’s Spirit came to Azariah to encourage King Asa of Judah to be strong in Him, and to seek Him so that His blessings shall be upon him and Judah and their work. However, God shall judge and chastise them if they would rebelled against Him. For a long time both Israel and Judah refused to seek God, but instead they worshipped the idols that they had made for themselves. Indeed, let us only seek and worship God, and be strong and sufficient in His grace, otherwise His judgment shall be upon us. (2 Corinthians 12:9-10)

2. Be Seeking (15:8-19)
That whosoever would not seek the LORD God of Israel should be put to death, whether small or great, whether man of woman. (15:13)

Asa covenanted with his people to seek the Lord with all their hearts and souls, and those who refused shall be put to death. He then put away all the idols and sacrificed 700 oxen and 7,000 sheep before God and renewed His altar. Indeed, let us seek and set our hearts upon God and His Word and He shall grant us the desires of our hearts. (Colossians 3:1-3)

3. Be Submissive (16:1-14)
Then Asa was wroth with the seer, and put him in a prison house; for he was in a rage with him because of this thing. And Asa oppressed some of the people the same time. (16:10)

It is not just how well we start our Christian race, but also how well we finish it. Sadly in Asa’s latter years, he failed God as he built alliance with King Ben-hadad of Syria by giving him treasures from God’s and his house instead of trusting in God. When King Baasha of Israel began to build Ramah before Judah to besiege it, Asa called upon Ben-hadad who then attacked and stopped Israel from the construction of Ramah. However, God was displeased with Asa, and He sent His seer, Hanani, to rebuke him for trusting Ben-hadad instead of Him as He had time again delivered Judah from her enemies, the likes of the Ethiopians and the Lubims. Instead of accepting Hanani’s rebuke, Asa threw him into prison, and at the same time oppressed his people. God chastised Asa, and his feet were diseased. However, Asa still stubbornly refused to turn to God but relied on his physicians even until his death. Asa’s life was a tragic story of a godly leader who in his later years suffered much because he rebelled against God. Indeed, let us submit to God, as no matter how well prepared we are, He is in control of everything. (Proverbs 21:31)

Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to seek You first, and fully submit to You in everything.

2 Chronicles 13 & 14: A Covenant Of Salt
Verse of the Day: (13:5) Ought ye not to know that the LORD God of Israel gave the kingdom over Israel to David for ever, even to him and his sons by a covenant of salt? 

1. Salt (13:1-12)
But as for us, the LORD is our God, and we have not forsaken him; and the priests, which minister unto the LORD, are the sons of Aaron, and the Levites wait upon their business:

Even after Abijah became the king of Judah upon the death of his father, King Rehoboam, there was still wars between him and King Jeroboam of Israel. Abijah led 400,000 soldiers to battle against Jeroboam who had 800,000 soldiers. Abijah then reminded Jeroboam, Solomon’s servant, and the 10 tribes of Israel, that God had promised his forefather, King David, by the covenant of salt, that he and his descendants shall rule Israel forever, and that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, shall come forth from them, through the tribe of Judah. However, Jeroboam and the ten tribes of Israel refused to take heed to Abijah’s warnings and fought against him. They rebelled against God as they made for themselves gods of golden calves for their worship, and subsequently God judged and punished them. Indeed, the covenant of salt represents God’s love for Israel for all eternity as salt is a preservative. (Numbers 18:19) Let us be God’s salt and light as we preserve and reflect His righteousness and love in this world of sins. (Matthew 5:13-16)

2. Slaughter (13:13-22)
And Abijah and his people slew them with a great slaughter: so there fell down slain of Israel five hundred thousand chosen men. (13:17)

Though Jeroboam’s army was twice that of Abijah’s yet Abijah triumphed over them because God fought for them and He slaughtered Jeroboam and half a million of his men. Indeed, with God, even the gate of hell shall never prevail against us. (Matthew 16:17-19)

3. Seek (14:1-15)
And commanded Judah to seek the LORD God of their fathers, and to do the law and the commandment. (14:5)

Asa became the king of Judah when Abijah, his father died. Asa was a godly king, and God grant Judah peace and prosperity. Asa then built many fenced cities and raised an army of 300,000 soldiers from Judah and 280,000 soldiers from Benjamin. However God began to test Asa’s faith when He sent Zerah, the Ethiopian, with an army of 1 million soldiers and 300 chariots to invade Judah. Asa was overwhelmed with Zerah’s great army and he cried to God. God heard Asa’s prayer, and He immediately destroyed and defeated the Ethiopians. Indeed, let us pray and seek God and His righteousness, and everything, especially His peace, joy and victory shall be with us now and forever. (Matthew 6:33-34)

Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to be the salt of the earth reflecting Your righteousness.

2 Chronicles 9 & 10: Happy Are Thy Men
Verse of the Day: (9:7) Happy are thy men, and happy are these thy servants, which stand continually before thee, and hear thy wisdom.

1. Happy (9:1-12)
And when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon, she came to prove Solomon with hard questions at Jerusalem, with a very great company, and camels that bare spices, and gold in abundance, and precious stones: and when she was come to Solomon, she communed with him of all that was in her heart. (9:1)

God richly blessed King Solomon with His wisdom so that people, including the queen of Sheba, from all over the world visited and pay tribute to him with their treasures such golds, precious stones and spices. They also came to prove Solomon’s wisdom with hard questions and also to see the magnificent house of God in Israel. In return, Solomon generously gave his visitors all that they desired. The people of Israel were happy to have Solomon as their king, and to hear his wisdom and follow him as he followed God. Indeed, let us be happy and joyful serving our God, even amid intense sorrow and suffering, as one day we shall enjoy His presence forever in glorious heaven. (James 5:11)

2. Heart (9:13-31)
And all the kings of the earth sought the presence of Solomon, to hear his wisdom, that God had put in his heart. (9:23)

Solomon became the wisest and richest king on earth as people, including kings and queens, from all over the world, came to Israel to hear his wisdom that God had put in his heart, as well as to pay tribute to him. However, most importantly, through Solomon many came and believed in his God, the true God of Israel. Sadly, in his later years, Solomon became proud and sinned against God. After his death, his kingdom was split into 2; one ruled by his son, Rehoboam, and the other by his servant, Jeroboam. Indeed, let us always humble and purify our hearts in whatever we do, be it our work or ministry, knowing that everything that we have is from and of God and His grace. (James 4:6-10)

3. Heavy (10:1-19)
And he answered them after the advice of the young men, saying, My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add thereto: my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions. (10:14)

Tragically, King Rehoboam who took over from his wise father, Solomon, failed in his leadership. Instead of listening to the matured men of his father’s generation to be kind to his people, he listened to his contemporaries who advised him to give them more work. The people then revolted, and the kingdom split. Indeed, let us be wise as serpents and harmless as doves as we lead our people in God’s love and for His glory. (Matthew 10:16)

Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to serve You with joy and happiness now and forever.