June 3, 2006 - II Chronicles 19-20 and John 13:21-38
Here in chapters 19 and 20 we finish reading about Jehoshaphat and how he led Judah to a great victory against their enemies. His story shows all of us how God can use imperfect individuals to do great things, if we will set our hearts on Him. However, it also shows us how easy it is to allow our hearts to turn from God's will. How is your focus today? I pray that we will not allow anything to distract us from following God's perfect will for our lives.
Chapter 19 confirms what I told you yesterday. God was angry with Jehoshaphat's decision to help Ahab, but God saw that his heart was right, so He did not remove him from being king or punish him drastically. (v.3) Then, Jehoshaphat continued to lead people in God's will by setting up judges in the cities until a strong enemy came against them. Then, in chapter 20 we see how the king turned to the Lord and proclaimed a fast. (v.3) The Lord sent the answer through Jahaziel that they would not even have to fight, because God would fight for them. (v.15) What a blessing! Usually, we have to fight and God gives us the strength to overcome. However, sometimes, all we have to do is to position ourselves in the Lord, and He does the rest. Read Ephesians 6:12 about the whole armor of God. It talks about standing in the Lord. To show His faith in God, Jehoshaphat put the choir in front of the army. God caused the enemy to be confused and to kill themselves, so all the army had to do was spend 3 days collecting the spoils. Isn't that what you would like for your life? Then, turn to God in repentance and prayer. Practice praising Him in true worship. Stand in faith knowing that God can and will deliver you. If He calls on you to fight, He will give you the power. The result will be victory over your enemies.
At the end of chapter 20 we read about Jehoshaphat making another alliance with another wicked king of Israel, and God being displeased again. How could that happen after such a victory? Sometimes we let our guard down when we are too confident. We must continue to trust the Lord only and to remember what He taught us in the past, or we will fall back into sin.
That was true of Peter in John 13. It was Judas who betrayed Jesus, because his heart was never right with Him. However, Peter was the one who ended up denying Jesus, even though he loved him so much. How could that have happened to Peter? He began to have the fear of man instead of the fear of God. He put his eyes on people instead of on God. When we do that we get in trouble. Later, Peter was very strong for the Lord, but in this case he was going to fail Him, and Jesus told him so. I pray that we will allow the Lord to fight for us so we don't deny Him at all. That should be our goal today and every day.
Tomorrow, I intend to read II Chronicles 21-22 and John 14.
Chapter 19 confirms what I told you yesterday. God was angry with Jehoshaphat's decision to help Ahab, but God saw that his heart was right, so He did not remove him from being king or punish him drastically. (v.3) Then, Jehoshaphat continued to lead people in God's will by setting up judges in the cities until a strong enemy came against them. Then, in chapter 20 we see how the king turned to the Lord and proclaimed a fast. (v.3) The Lord sent the answer through Jahaziel that they would not even have to fight, because God would fight for them. (v.15) What a blessing! Usually, we have to fight and God gives us the strength to overcome. However, sometimes, all we have to do is to position ourselves in the Lord, and He does the rest. Read Ephesians 6:12 about the whole armor of God. It talks about standing in the Lord. To show His faith in God, Jehoshaphat put the choir in front of the army. God caused the enemy to be confused and to kill themselves, so all the army had to do was spend 3 days collecting the spoils. Isn't that what you would like for your life? Then, turn to God in repentance and prayer. Practice praising Him in true worship. Stand in faith knowing that God can and will deliver you. If He calls on you to fight, He will give you the power. The result will be victory over your enemies.
At the end of chapter 20 we read about Jehoshaphat making another alliance with another wicked king of Israel, and God being displeased again. How could that happen after such a victory? Sometimes we let our guard down when we are too confident. We must continue to trust the Lord only and to remember what He taught us in the past, or we will fall back into sin.
That was true of Peter in John 13. It was Judas who betrayed Jesus, because his heart was never right with Him. However, Peter was the one who ended up denying Jesus, even though he loved him so much. How could that have happened to Peter? He began to have the fear of man instead of the fear of God. He put his eyes on people instead of on God. When we do that we get in trouble. Later, Peter was very strong for the Lord, but in this case he was going to fail Him, and Jesus told him so. I pray that we will allow the Lord to fight for us so we don't deny Him at all. That should be our goal today and every day.
Tomorrow, I intend to read II Chronicles 21-22 and John 14.