2 Chronicles 20:6 "And said, O LORD God of our fathers, art not thou God in heaven? and rulest not thou over all the kingdoms of the heathen? and in thine hand is there not power and might, so that none is able to withstand thee?"
The first thing to notice is Jehoshaphat's attitude in verse 3 prior to approaching the Lord, "And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah."
The second thing to notice here is that his prayer was not news to the Lord. God didn't hear those questions and think, "Oh, he's right, I'd forgotten." No, Jehoshaphat's prayers was his way of showing God that he, Jehoshaphat, believed the truth about Who God is. It was a demonstration of his faith in Who God is.
This chapter is so full of amazing verses! But for today, am I setting myself to seek the Lord? What would that look like? Do my prayers demonstrate my faith in Who God is?
Monday, April 24, 2017
Tuesday, April 18, 2017
Deal Courageously
2 Chronicles 19:11 "And, behold, Amariah the chief priest is over you in all matters of the LORD; and Zebadiah the son of Ishmael, the ruler of the house of Judah, for all the king's matters: also the Levites shall be officers before you. Deal courageously, and the LORD shall be with the good."
Jehoshaphat was a great leader for his country. His dedication to the things of God moved him to take action, to make sure that God's law was being honored in his kingdom. But at the end of all the instruction to the priests and judges, he brings out a very important point - doing what is right takes courage.
The kings that had come before him and not walked with God had been cowards. They did not trust that God's Word was true and therefore did not act accordingly. Jehoshaphat knew the other leaders throughout the kingdom would need courage to continue doing what was right. Doing what is right will always result in pressure to stop. It takes courage to push through.
Do I deal courageously in my own life? What faults in my life are due to a lack of courage, a lack of trust in God being Who He says He is?
Jehoshaphat was a great leader for his country. His dedication to the things of God moved him to take action, to make sure that God's law was being honored in his kingdom. But at the end of all the instruction to the priests and judges, he brings out a very important point - doing what is right takes courage.
The kings that had come before him and not walked with God had been cowards. They did not trust that God's Word was true and therefore did not act accordingly. Jehoshaphat knew the other leaders throughout the kingdom would need courage to continue doing what was right. Doing what is right will always result in pressure to stop. It takes courage to push through.
Do I deal courageously in my own life? What faults in my life are due to a lack of courage, a lack of trust in God being Who He says He is?
Monday, April 17, 2017
He Cried Out, and The Lord Helped Him
2 Chronicles 18:31 "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."
God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. The Old Testament is full of His loving kindness, however I believe since often we aren't looking for it as much, we often can fail to see it.
Jehoshaphat had heard the prophesy of Micaiah, yet he still went to battle with Ahab. Yet despite that, his first response to trouble is to cry out to God. And God helps him. I think sometimes we get in this mindset that we need to have everything 'just so' before God will hear our prayers and come to our aid.
But the Bible does not bear this out. We know for a fact that if we regard sin in our heart, God won't hear us. But a life that is sincerely, though imperfectly, seeking God will see God answering prayers by simply crying out. And God's eternal loving kindness will help us.
Would someone, able to see into my heart, say that I am seeking God sincerely? Do I see God helping me when I ask? If not, could there be a sin in my heart that I am regarding?
God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. The Old Testament is full of His loving kindness, however I believe since often we aren't looking for it as much, we often can fail to see it.
Jehoshaphat had heard the prophesy of Micaiah, yet he still went to battle with Ahab. Yet despite that, his first response to trouble is to cry out to God. And God helps him. I think sometimes we get in this mindset that we need to have everything 'just so' before God will hear our prayers and come to our aid.
But the Bible does not bear this out. We know for a fact that if we regard sin in our heart, God won't hear us. But a life that is sincerely, though imperfectly, seeking God will see God answering prayers by simply crying out. And God's eternal loving kindness will help us.
Would someone, able to see into my heart, say that I am seeking God sincerely? Do I see God helping me when I ask? If not, could there be a sin in my heart that I am regarding?
Friday, April 14, 2017
He Prayed
Matthew 26:39 "And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt."
Every time I read this passage, I'm struck anew by the fact that Jesus prayed. It seems obvious that He would, but at the same time it almost seems odd that He would have to. After all, He was completely God and completely man. His relationship and communion with the Father was unbroken except for that moment on the cross when He took our sins and the Father turned His back on the Son.
The point here is that if Jesus, the Son of God, Who enjoyed perfect communion unobstructed by sin as we experience it, if Jesus needed to pray, how much more then do we. Jesus says several times that His life was an example for us.
He prayed like His life depended on it. He prayed the same prayer multiple times in such earnest desire that He sweat drops of blood.
What is my prayer life in comparison? Am I using Jesus as my example for prayer? What would my prayer life look like if I were?
Every time I read this passage, I'm struck anew by the fact that Jesus prayed. It seems obvious that He would, but at the same time it almost seems odd that He would have to. After all, He was completely God and completely man. His relationship and communion with the Father was unbroken except for that moment on the cross when He took our sins and the Father turned His back on the Son.
The point here is that if Jesus, the Son of God, Who enjoyed perfect communion unobstructed by sin as we experience it, if Jesus needed to pray, how much more then do we. Jesus says several times that His life was an example for us.
He prayed like His life depended on it. He prayed the same prayer multiple times in such earnest desire that He sweat drops of blood.
What is my prayer life in comparison? Am I using Jesus as my example for prayer? What would my prayer life look like if I were?
Thursday, April 13, 2017
The Testimony of a life Willingly Offered
2 Chronicles 17:16 "And next him was Amasiah the son of Zichri, who willingly offered himself unto the LORD; and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour."
Romans 12:1 "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service."
Here is another character in the Bible of whom we know little. Yet what we do know is an inspiration. His willing sacrifice of himself to God was so notable that it had to be mentioned. His life could not be spoken of without noting that he was the guy who had willingly offered himself to the Lord.
Talking about Amasiah without talking about his dedication to God, would be like talking about Micheal Jordan without mentioning his basketball career. It was what defined him. It was who he was. What a testimony.
Have I presented myself willingly as a living sacrifice to God? How does my life look different as a result of that? Years after I'm gone, will people be able to mention my life without mentioning my commitment to God?
Romans 12:1 "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service."
Here is another character in the Bible of whom we know little. Yet what we do know is an inspiration. His willing sacrifice of himself to God was so notable that it had to be mentioned. His life could not be spoken of without noting that he was the guy who had willingly offered himself to the Lord.
Talking about Amasiah without talking about his dedication to God, would be like talking about Micheal Jordan without mentioning his basketball career. It was what defined him. It was who he was. What a testimony.
Have I presented myself willingly as a living sacrifice to God? How does my life look different as a result of that? Years after I'm gone, will people be able to mention my life without mentioning my commitment to God?
Wednesday, April 12, 2017
He Was Wroth With the Seer
2 Chronicles 16:10 "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."
Hanani is not a leading character in the Bible. In fact, he's only mentioned a few times. Yet this single bold action, telling the truth regardless of the consequences, is an amazing testimony. It is presumable that prophets understood the risk of their job. They seemingly had a 50/50 chance of either seeing someone repent or having them become angry and threaten punishment.
Yet despite this risk, Hanani spoke the truth as God had told him to. Doing what is right is rarely easy. Yet it is always worth it in the end.
Am I willing to do what God has called me to regardless of the consequences? What within me would give me the strength to follow through in the face of insurmountable odds?
Hanani is not a leading character in the Bible. In fact, he's only mentioned a few times. Yet this single bold action, telling the truth regardless of the consequences, is an amazing testimony. It is presumable that prophets understood the risk of their job. They seemingly had a 50/50 chance of either seeing someone repent or having them become angry and threaten punishment.
Yet despite this risk, Hanani spoke the truth as God had told him to. Doing what is right is rarely easy. Yet it is always worth it in the end.
Am I willing to do what God has called me to regardless of the consequences? What within me would give me the strength to follow through in the face of insurmountable odds?
Tuesday, April 11, 2017
To Show Himself Strong
2 Chronicles 16:9 "For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars."
Sometimes you'll hear people saying that God desires to answer our prayers, that He wants to be seen as powerful in our lives. While many of us know this intellectually, few of us truly know this experientially. Something in the back of our mind tells us this can't be true. A lingering doubt asks, "How could God actually care that much?"
While that doubt poisons our potential as servants of God, we happily accept that Jesus Christ died a horrible death on the cross, taking all our sins on Himself to save us from Hell. If one is believable, why not the other?
Perhaps it's that little word "perfect" used to describe a heart. That word scares us because we see who and what we are. But so does God. And He loves us the same. The Hebrew word translated "perfect" means "full, complete." God wants our hearts to be fully His, completely toward Him. This does not mean that we never fall, but it means that anytime we do fall (and we will fall) we will fall while we're pursuing Him. And after we fall, we rise back up by His grace and continue on our way, basking in His mercy, love, and forgiveness.
Do I believe, today, right now, that God Himself is longing to show Himself strong on my behalf? Is my heart fully toward God, completely His? What is holding me back from arriving there? Is it worth the inability to see God work powerfully on my behalf?
Sometimes you'll hear people saying that God desires to answer our prayers, that He wants to be seen as powerful in our lives. While many of us know this intellectually, few of us truly know this experientially. Something in the back of our mind tells us this can't be true. A lingering doubt asks, "How could God actually care that much?"
While that doubt poisons our potential as servants of God, we happily accept that Jesus Christ died a horrible death on the cross, taking all our sins on Himself to save us from Hell. If one is believable, why not the other?
Perhaps it's that little word "perfect" used to describe a heart. That word scares us because we see who and what we are. But so does God. And He loves us the same. The Hebrew word translated "perfect" means "full, complete." God wants our hearts to be fully His, completely toward Him. This does not mean that we never fall, but it means that anytime we do fall (and we will fall) we will fall while we're pursuing Him. And after we fall, we rise back up by His grace and continue on our way, basking in His mercy, love, and forgiveness.
Do I believe, today, right now, that God Himself is longing to show Himself strong on my behalf? Is my heart fully toward God, completely His? What is holding me back from arriving there? Is it worth the inability to see God work powerfully on my behalf?
Monday, April 10, 2017
Sinless Perfection
2 Chronicles 15:17 "But the high places were not taken away out of Israel: nevertheless the heart of Asa was perfect all his days."
This verse, and verses like it have always perplexed me. How could a man have his heart perfect with God when he did not utterly remove the idolatry from the land? This excerpt from Matthew Henry's commentary on the Bible is enlightening:
"These he connived [secretly allow (something considered immoral, illegal, wrong, or harmful) to occur] at, and yet his heart was perfect. There may be defects in some particular duties where yet the heart, in the man, is upright with God. Sincerity is something less than sinless perfection."
Looking back through the Bible, we see many examples of this. Abraham was far from perfect. He had a habit of lying and there were many instances where he did not trust God at all. However, the Bible tells us he was faithful and he feared God.
We serve a God Who is touched by our human imperfection. As our Creator, He understands our weaknesses. And more than that, He sees our hearts, He knows us more than we know ourselves. He knows our inability to attain perfection and loves us anyway. Indeed, it was this knowledge of our failures that caused Him to send His Son in the first place.
Though I am imperfect, is my heart sincerely seeking God today? When I fall in sin, is my immediate reaction repentance and seeking restoration of relationship with God? Seek not your own perfection, rather seek the One Who is Perfection.
This verse, and verses like it have always perplexed me. How could a man have his heart perfect with God when he did not utterly remove the idolatry from the land? This excerpt from Matthew Henry's commentary on the Bible is enlightening:
"These he connived [secretly allow (something considered immoral, illegal, wrong, or harmful) to occur] at, and yet his heart was perfect. There may be defects in some particular duties where yet the heart, in the man, is upright with God. Sincerity is something less than sinless perfection."
Looking back through the Bible, we see many examples of this. Abraham was far from perfect. He had a habit of lying and there were many instances where he did not trust God at all. However, the Bible tells us he was faithful and he feared God.
We serve a God Who is touched by our human imperfection. As our Creator, He understands our weaknesses. And more than that, He sees our hearts, He knows us more than we know ourselves. He knows our inability to attain perfection and loves us anyway. Indeed, it was this knowledge of our failures that caused Him to send His Son in the first place.
Though I am imperfect, is my heart sincerely seeking God today? When I fall in sin, is my immediate reaction repentance and seeking restoration of relationship with God? Seek not your own perfection, rather seek the One Who is Perfection.
Saturday, April 8, 2017
They Fell To Him In Abundance
2 Chronicles 15:9 "And he gathered all Judah and Benjamin, and the strangers with them out of Ephraim and Manasseh, and out of Simeon: for they fell to him out of Israel in abundance, when they saw that the LORD his God was with him."
There is an irresistible attraction in a life fully dedicated to God. There is a magnetic draw that comes from a deep, selfless love for God. The presence of God in a life is one of the greatest advertisements this world will ever see.
God will work through a life like that in amazing ways. He's not looking for perfection. Rather for us to draw close to Him, to seek Him, to be strong and courageous through our faults and failures. Then, when people see that God is with you, they will fall to you (and therefore God) in abundance.
Am I living a life that is causing people to seek God? Would my everyday lifestyle inspire others to give up their idols, even leave their homes, to seek God more?
There is an irresistible attraction in a life fully dedicated to God. There is a magnetic draw that comes from a deep, selfless love for God. The presence of God in a life is one of the greatest advertisements this world will ever see.
God will work through a life like that in amazing ways. He's not looking for perfection. Rather for us to draw close to Him, to seek Him, to be strong and courageous through our faults and failures. Then, when people see that God is with you, they will fall to you (and therefore God) in abundance.
Am I living a life that is causing people to seek God? Would my everyday lifestyle inspire others to give up their idols, even leave their homes, to seek God more?
Friday, April 7, 2017
It Is Nothing With Thee
2 Chronicles 14:11 "And Asa cried unto the LORD his God, and said, LORD, it is nothing with thee to help, whether with many, or with them that have no power: help us, O LORD our God; for we rest on thee, and in thy name we go against this multitude. O LORD, thou art our God; let not man prevail against thee."
Here we see a king with a proper perspective and understanding of Who God is. Asa realizes that with God all things are possible because He is all powerful. I don't think we comprehend the magnitude of God's omnipotence. Asa did though. And that allowed him and all of Judah to rest on God.
Another thing to note here is that because Asa made it known Judah was resting on God, and that it was in the name of the Lord that they were fighting to protect their land, by defending Judah, God was by extension defending His own name. Asa's argument here is that God shouldn't allow the Ethiopians to prevail "against Thee." That is powerful. When we align ourselves wholly with God, through our words, thoughts, and deeds, His defense of us is a defense of His Own name, something we know from the Bible that He takes very seriously.
Again, am I resting on God today? Is my life so aligned with Him that His name is defended when I am defended? Is it actually aligned? Or do people just perceive it to be? God knows the difference.
Here we see a king with a proper perspective and understanding of Who God is. Asa realizes that with God all things are possible because He is all powerful. I don't think we comprehend the magnitude of God's omnipotence. Asa did though. And that allowed him and all of Judah to rest on God.
Another thing to note here is that because Asa made it known Judah was resting on God, and that it was in the name of the Lord that they were fighting to protect their land, by defending Judah, God was by extension defending His own name. Asa's argument here is that God shouldn't allow the Ethiopians to prevail "against Thee." That is powerful. When we align ourselves wholly with God, through our words, thoughts, and deeds, His defense of us is a defense of His Own name, something we know from the Bible that He takes very seriously.
Again, am I resting on God today? Is my life so aligned with Him that His name is defended when I am defended? Is it actually aligned? Or do people just perceive it to be? God knows the difference.
Thursday, April 6, 2017
Ye Shall Not Prosper
2 Chronicles 13:12 & 18 "And, behold, God himself is with us for our captain, and his priests with sounding trumpets to cry alarm against you. O children of Israel, fight ye not against the LORD God of your fathers; for ye shall not prosper."
"Thus the children of Israel were brought under at that time, and the children of Judah prevailed, because they relied upon the LORD God of their fathers."
Few passages make the distinction quite so clear. A people that rely on God will prevail. A people who fights against the Lord will not prosper. It's as simple as that.
The word "rely" has the idea of resting on, or leaning on. When you rest or lean on something, you're not mobile. That place of rest is where you are and where you will stay until you cease to rest there. Judah was right next to God because it is only when we are right next to Him, close, that we can truly trust and rest in Him.
Am I close enough to God right now to rest and lean on Him? If I rest on Him, am I willing to stop moving, to be still and know He is God?
"Thus the children of Israel were brought under at that time, and the children of Judah prevailed, because they relied upon the LORD God of their fathers."
Few passages make the distinction quite so clear. A people that rely on God will prevail. A people who fights against the Lord will not prosper. It's as simple as that.
The word "rely" has the idea of resting on, or leaning on. When you rest or lean on something, you're not mobile. That place of rest is where you are and where you will stay until you cease to rest there. Judah was right next to God because it is only when we are right next to Him, close, that we can truly trust and rest in Him.
Am I close enough to God right now to rest and lean on Him? If I rest on Him, am I willing to stop moving, to be still and know He is God?
Tuesday, April 4, 2017
When He Had Strengthened Himself
2 Chronicles 12:1 "And it came to pass, when Rehoboam had established the kingdom, and had strengthened himself, he forsook the law of the LORD, and all Israel with him."
A wiser person understands that true strength only has One Source - the One True God. Any other "strength" does not accomplish the will of God. Rehoboam found his strength within himself and thereby was too weak to keep the law of the Lord.
We all know that our flesh is weak. We all know that we are unable to keep God's law in and of ourselves. Our own natural will and drive cannot possibly help us do the supernatural (keep God's law). The strength to do the supernatural must come from the supernatural.
The passage makes it clear that not only was Rehoboam unable to keep God's law in his own strength, he went a step beyond and forsook it. That words means to "desert, abandon, forsake". And since he was in a position of leadership, all Israel went with him. The results of trusting in your own strength are disastrous.
Who's strength am I resting in today? What does it truly look like to strengthen myself in God?
Psalm 27:14
A wiser person understands that true strength only has One Source - the One True God. Any other "strength" does not accomplish the will of God. Rehoboam found his strength within himself and thereby was too weak to keep the law of the Lord.
We all know that our flesh is weak. We all know that we are unable to keep God's law in and of ourselves. Our own natural will and drive cannot possibly help us do the supernatural (keep God's law). The strength to do the supernatural must come from the supernatural.
The passage makes it clear that not only was Rehoboam unable to keep God's law in his own strength, he went a step beyond and forsook it. That words means to "desert, abandon, forsake". And since he was in a position of leadership, all Israel went with him. The results of trusting in your own strength are disastrous.
Who's strength am I resting in today? What does it truly look like to strengthen myself in God?
Psalm 27:14
Monday, April 3, 2017
Return to Your House
2 Chronicles 11:4 "Thus saith the LORD, Ye shall not go up, nor fight against your brethren: return every man to his house: for this thing is done of me. And they obeyed the words of the LORD, and returned from going against Jeroboam."
As humans, we have the strange need to always be in motion. We are always on to the next thing before we've even finished where we were. This can be a good thing if used properly and in balance. However, it becomes a major problem when we allow it to take our eyes off of our Guide.
Before we move on to the next thing, we need to just stop. Take time and be still. Know Who He is. Seek Him, His will, His best. Just stop, just pause. Wait on Him. He waits for you and I to cry out to Him, to seek His wisdom. It could just be that He wants us to "return to our house, because this thing is done by Him."
Am I trying to move on with something in my life prior to seeking God's will on it?
As humans, we have the strange need to always be in motion. We are always on to the next thing before we've even finished where we were. This can be a good thing if used properly and in balance. However, it becomes a major problem when we allow it to take our eyes off of our Guide.
Before we move on to the next thing, we need to just stop. Take time and be still. Know Who He is. Seek Him, His will, His best. Just stop, just pause. Wait on Him. He waits for you and I to cry out to Him, to seek His wisdom. It could just be that He wants us to "return to our house, because this thing is done by Him."
Am I trying to move on with something in my life prior to seeking God's will on it?
The Cause Was of God
2 Chronicles 10:15 "So the king hearkened not unto the people: for the cause was of God, that the LORD might perform his word, which he spake by the hand of Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam the son of Nebat."
It is unclear how long Jeroboam waited in Egypt, hiding out until Solomon's death. But it is likely that it was quite a length of years. God had given Jeroboam a promise and it was fulfilled, but most likely not in Jeroboam's time-frame.
We see this over and over in the Bible and in our own lives as well. We believe that God has the ability to do supernatural things, yet we attempt to limit Him to natural timing. We "limit" Him in our own minds by our lack of faith and trust. And lack of faith and trust has its root in a lack of knowing Who He truly is.
What promises am I waiting for God to fulfill in my life? Do I have God on my schedule? Or am I patiently waiting, faithfully trusting?
It is unclear how long Jeroboam waited in Egypt, hiding out until Solomon's death. But it is likely that it was quite a length of years. God had given Jeroboam a promise and it was fulfilled, but most likely not in Jeroboam's time-frame.
We see this over and over in the Bible and in our own lives as well. We believe that God has the ability to do supernatural things, yet we attempt to limit Him to natural timing. We "limit" Him in our own minds by our lack of faith and trust. And lack of faith and trust has its root in a lack of knowing Who He truly is.
What promises am I waiting for God to fulfill in my life? Do I have God on my schedule? Or am I patiently waiting, faithfully trusting?
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