relationships (2 Chronicles 18:1-34) Finding Peace

(2 Chronicles 18:1-34)   Now Jehoshaphat had great riches and honor; and he allied himself by marriage to Ahab. 2 Some years later he went down to visit Ahab at Samaria, and Ahab slaughtered many sheep and oxen for him and the people who were with him. And he incited him to go up against Ramoth-gilead. 3 Ahab king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat king of Judah, “Will you go with me against Ramoth-gilead?” And he said to him, “I am as you are, and my people as your people, and we will be with you in the battle.”

4 However, Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, “Please request the word of the Lord first.” 5 So the king of Israel assembled the prophets, four hundred men, and said to them, “Should we go to battle against Ramoth-gilead, or should I refrain?” And they said, “Go up, for God will hand it over to the king.” 6 But Jehoshaphat said, “Is there no longer a prophet of the Lord here, that we may inquire of him?” 7 And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “There is still one man by whom we may inquire of the Lord, but I hate him, for he never prophesies anything good regarding me, but always bad. He is Micaiah the son of Imlah.” But Jehoshaphat said, “May the king not say so.”

8 Then the king of Israel summoned an officer and said, “Bring Micaiah son of Imlah quickly.” 9 Now the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah were sitting, each on his throne, dressed in their robes, and they were sitting at the threshing floor at the entrance of the gate of Samaria; and all the prophets were prophesying before them. 10 Then Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah made horns of iron for himself and said, “This is what the Lord says: ‘With these you will gore the Arameans until they are destroyed!’” 11 All the prophets were prophesying this as well, saying, “Go up to Ramoth-gilead and be successful, for the Lord will hand it over to the king.”

12 Then the messenger who went to summon Micaiah spoke to him saying, “Behold, the words of the prophets are unanimously favorable to the king. So please let your word be like one of them, and speak favorably.” 13 But Micaiah said, “As the Lord lives, whatever my God says, I will speak it.”

14 When he came to the king, the king said to him, “Micaiah, should we go to battle against Ramoth-gilead, or should I refrain?” He said, “Go up and succeed, for they will be handed over to you!” 15 Then the king said to him, “How many times must I make you swear that you will tell me nothing but the truth in the name of the Lord?” 16 So he said,

     “I saw all Israel 
     Scattered on the mountains,
     Like sheep that have no shepherd.
     And the Lord said,
     ‘These people have no master.
     Each of them is to return to his house in peace.’”

17 Then the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “Did I not tell you that he would not prophesy anything good regarding me, but only bad?”

18 And Micaiah said, “Therefore, hear the word of the Lord. I saw the Lord sitting on His throne, and all the angels of heaven standing on His right and on His left. 19 And the Lord said, ‘Who will entice Ahab king of Israel to go up and fall at Ramoth-gilead?’ And one spirit said this, while another said that. 20 Then a spirit came forward and stood before the Lord and said, ‘I will entice him.’ And the Lord said to him, ‘How?’ 21 He said, ‘I will go out and be a deceiving spirit in the mouths of all his prophets.’ Then He said, ‘You shall entice him, and you will also prevail. Go out and do so.’ 22 Now therefore, behold, the Lord has put a deceiving spirit in the mouths of these prophets of yours, for the Lord has declared disaster against you.”

23 Then Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah approached and struck Micaiah on the cheek; and he said, “How did the Spirit of the Lord pass from me to speak to you?” 24 And Micaiah said, “Behold, you are going to see how on that day when you go from one inner room to another trying to hide yourself.” 25 Then the king of Israel said, “Take Micaiah and return him to Amon the governor of the city, and to Joash the king’s son; 26 and say, ‘This is what the king says: “Put this man in prison, and feed him enough bread and water to survive until I return safely.”’” 27 But Micaiah said, “If you actually return safely, the Lord has not spoken by me.” And he said, “Listen, all you people!”

28 So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat king of Judah went up against Ramoth-gilead. 29 And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “I will disguise myself and go into battle, but you put on your robes.” So the king of Israel disguised himself, and they went into battle. 30 Now the king of Aram had commanded the commanders of his chariots, saying, “Do not fight with the small or great, but only with the king of Israel.” 31 So when the commanders of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, they said, “He is the king of Israel!” And they turned aside to fight against him. But Jehoshaphat cried out, and the Lord helped him, and God diverted them from him. 32 When the commanders of the chariots saw that it was not the king of Israel, they turned back from pursuing him. 33 Now one man drew his bow at random and struck the king of Israel in a joint of the armor. So he said to the driver of his chariot, “Turn around and take me out of the battle, for I am severely wounded.” 34 The battle raged on that day, and the king of Israel propped himself up in his chariot in front of the Arameans until the evening; and at sunset he died.

TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:

Ahab was outright disobedient and did not believe in the Lord, even though he was given very fair warning.  Jehoshaphat was a believer, but disobeyed in going to war with Ahab, even though he heard the prophesy firsthand.  Realizing his mistake when he was facing defeat, he cried out to the Lord, and the Lord protected him.

This is not to say that God won't allow His children to physically die.  Because we live in a sinful, fallen, broken world, death is inevitable for everyone.  Where there is sin, there is death.  Until that time, our choice is simple... struggle in the sinful battlefield, or "go home in peace" as children of God.  When we become believers, and repent of our sin, we die to sin because Jesus forgives us and clothes us in His righteousness.  In this we have eternal life in heaven with our Lord and Savior.

As we are sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, we cannot ever lose our salvation, no matter what we do or don't do.  As children of God, the Lord will look after us and care for us as our sovereign, loving heavenly Father.  Although, it is always beneficial to strive in obedience.  For example, if Jehoshaphat had only refused to go with Ahab, he and all his men could have avoided that battlefield altogether.

From this passage we can see that when God tells us something, we need to pay close attention.  There is great purpose to every word that the Lord speaks and writes in His word.  And the Lord is purposeful in allowing us a very fair chance at turning our lives to Him for salvation and guidance.  We can be confident that He is just, and will not allow anyone to die, until their allotted time.  

relationships (2 Chronicles 17:1-19) Be Proud in the Lord

(2 Chronicles 17:1-19)  His son Jehoshaphat then became king in his place, and he proved himself strong over Israel. 2 He placed troops in all the fortified cities of Judah, and placed garrisons in the land of Judah and in the cities of Ephraim which his father Asa had captured.

3 And the Lord was with Jehoshaphat because he followed the example of his father David’s earlier days and did not seek the Baals, 4 but sought the God of his father, followed His commandments, and did not act as Israel did. 5 So the Lord established the kingdom in his control, and all Judah gave tribute to Jehoshaphat, and he had great riches and honor. 6 He took great pride in the ways of the Lord, and again removed the high places and the Asherim from Judah.

7 Then in the third year of his reign he sent his officials, Ben-hail, Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethanel, and Micaiah, to teach in the cities of Judah; 8 and with them the Levites, Shemaiah, Nethaniah, Zebadiah, Asahel, Shemiramoth, Jehonathan, Adonijah, Tobijah, and Tobadonijah, the Levites; and with them the priests Elishama and Jehoram. 9 They taught in Judah, having the Book of the Law of the Lord with them; and they went throughout the cities of Judah and taught among the people.

10 Now the dread of the Lord was on all the kingdoms of the lands which were around Judah, so that they did not make war against Jehoshaphat. 11 Some of the Philistines brought gifts and silver as tribute to Jehoshaphat; the Arabians also brought him flocks, 7,700 rams and 7,700 male goats. 12 So Jehoshaphat grew greater and greater, and he built fortresses and storage cities in Judah. 13 He had large supplies in the cities of Judah, and warriors, valiant mighty men, in Jerusalem. 14 This was their muster according to their fathers’ households: of Judah, commanders of thousands, Adnah was the commander, and with him three hundred thousand valiant warriors; 15 and next to him was Johanan the commander, and with him 280,000; 16 and next to him Amasiah the son of Zichri, who volunteered for the Lord, and with him two hundred thousand valiant warriors; 17 and of Benjamin, Eliada, a valiant warrior, and with him two hundred thousand armed with bow and shield; 18 and next to him Jehozabad, and with him 180,000 equipped for war. 19 These are the ones who served the king, apart from those whom the king put in the fortified cities throughout Judah.

TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:

To humble ourselves before the Lord is to take great pride in the Lord, in His ways and in His word.  We should not run away from Him when we think we know better or selfishly desire something sinful, but confess our sin/s and turn back.  We should not avoid the Lord when we have doubts, but seek out truth and God's wisdom.  And we should not be ashamed when people make fun, mock or ridicule, but continue to find protection and refuge in the Lord.

When we seek God's words for correction, we will find a better way.  When we study God's words for instruction and direction, we will become confident and content.  When we embrace the Lord and His words for wisdom, truth and help, we will be strengthened in the Lord and experience peace and courage.

Seeking and following Jesus brings about life changing results like no other.  And as I have matured in my Christian walk and my personal relationship with the Lord, I find myself boasting in the Lord more and more!  He has done great things, He is doing great things, and He will keep doing great things!

relationships (2 Chronicles 16:1-14) Have the Best Ally

(2 Chronicles 16:1-14)  In the thirty-sixth year of Asa’s reign, Baasha king of Israel came up against Judah and fortified Ramah in order to prevent anyone from going out or coming in to Asa king of Judah. 2 Then Asa brought out silver and gold from the treasuries of the house of the Lord and the king’s house, and sent it to Ben-hadad king of Aram, who lived in Damascus, saying, 3 “A treaty must be made between you and me, as there was between my father and your father. Behold, I have sent you silver and gold; go, break your treaty with Baasha king of Israel so that he will withdraw from me.” 4 And Ben-hadad listened to King Asa, and he sent the commanders of his armies against the cities of Israel, and they conquered Ijon, Dan, Abel-maim, and all the storage cities of Naphtali. 5 When Baasha heard about it, he stopped fortifying Ramah and put an end to his work. 6 Then King Asa brought all Judah, and they carried away the stones of Ramah and its timber with which Baasha had been building, and with it he fortified Geba and Mizpah.

7 At that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah and said to him, “Because you have relied on the king of Aram and have not relied on the Lord your God, for that reason the army of the king of Aram has escaped from your hand. 8 Were not the Ethiopians and the Lubim an immense army with very many chariots and horsemen? Yet because you relied on the Lord, He handed them over to you. 9 For the eyes of the Lord roam throughout the earth, so that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His. You have acted foolishly in this. Indeed, from now on you will have wars.” 10 Then Asa was angry with the seer and put him in prison, for he was enraged at him for this. And Asa mistreated some of the people at the same time.

11 Now, the acts of Asa from the first to the last, behold, they are written in the Book of the Kings of Judah and Israel. 12 In the thirty-ninth year of his reign Asa became diseased in his feet. His disease was severe, yet even in his disease he did not seek the Lord, but the physicians. 13 So Asa lay down with his fathers, and died in the forty-first year of his reign. 14 They buried him in his own tomb which he had cut out for himself in the city of David, and they laid him in the resting place which he had filled with spices of various kinds blended by the perfumers’ art; and they made a very great fire for him.

TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:

When we buy someone's alliance, we have to know that for a higher price, they can very easily betray us and turn against us.  The same thing can happen if we buy our friendships with favors and treats.  As soon as we are no longer able to sustain our (self-serving) generosity, or someone more (self-servingly) generous comes along, those friends will most likely disappear and/or turn against us.  But when we rely on the Lord completely, we make Him our ally and best friend - a Friend who is sovereign, faithful, gracious, patient and wants the best for us.

Verse 9 has an amazing message from the Lord to Asa (and everyone)...

"...For the eyes of the Lord roam throughout the earth, so that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His. You have acted foolishly in this. Indeed, from now on you will have wars.”

Asa reacted very much in the way that so many people do, today.  I have a friend who believes that her "made-up Jesus" represents love AND complete acceptance and approval, while the God of the Bible is very hateful and unreasonable.  It would appear to be so if (for example) one was only looking at the second half of this verse, and then, only if they weren't thinking rationally.  Because, how can someone not understand - that - if one acts foolishly, there will be consequences.  Therefore, even in that, these people would not even be seeing the second half of the verse correctly.

Now let's consider the first half of this verse.  This is amazing news!!!  If only Asa would have heard the message rationally and in its entirety!!!  Here was his chance to turn back to the Lord and rely on Him completely!!!  And the Lord would have then strongly supported Asa, as Asa had already experienced in the past.  In other words, God could have stopped some of the wars, and faithfully helped Asa through the others.  But because he decided to continue acting foolishly (which included avoiding going to the Lord), God allowed more consequences into his life.

Another typical thing Asa did was punish the messenger.  Like, my friend who had been saying some very negative things about "Christians" and "Christianity" which were false.  While what she said was very offensive, I didn't take any personal offense.  My hope was to at least help her understand that there are many people who SAY they are Christians, but the actions and words of these religious radicals don't align with Christianity according to the Bible.  Obviously, I'm not the ultimate judge who can see or know the hearts and minds of ANYONE, and Christians will still stumble and make mistakes, I can safely ascertain which beliefs, actions and statements are contrary to the Bible.

Now, this friend has not messaged me in over a week.  I'm praying that she is really thinking about things and questioning her personal worldviews.  And hopefully, she will remember past conversations when I have shared the gospel message and other things of the Bible - many, many times, in many, many ways.  My hope and prayer is that she will (eventually) understand and come to know and have a personal relationship with the true Lord God of the Bible! 

Although, as in the past, my friend might just be angry with the situation and is trying to punish me in some way, but I'm actually "okay" with all of this.  Not everyone is going to like us or appreciate what we say.  There will even be people who hate us for being a Christian.  NOT that we should go out of our way to be offensive!  The gospel message is offensive enough.  We are always to share God's words:  gently, tenderly, compassionately, and all in His love, wisdom and guidance.

relationships (2 Chronicles 15:1-19) Be On the Right Side

(2 Chronicles 15:1-19)   Now the Spirit of God came on Azariah the son of Oded, 2 and he went out to meet Asa and said to him, “Listen to me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin: the Lord is with you when you are with Him. And if you seek Him, He will let you find Him; but if you abandon Him, He will abandon you. 3 For many days Israel was without the true God and without a teaching priest and without the Law. 4 But in their distress they turned to the Lord God of Israel, and they sought Him, and He let them find Him. 5 In those times there was no peace for him who went out or him who came in, because many disturbances afflicted all the inhabitants of the lands. 6 Nation was crushed by nation, and city by city, for God troubled them with every kind of distress. 7 But you, be strong and do not lose courage, for there is a reward for your work.”

8 Now when Asa heard these words and the prophecy which Azariah the son of Oded the prophet spoke, he took courage and removed the abominable idols from all the land of Judah and Benjamin, and from the cities which he had captured in the hill country of Ephraim. He then restored the altar of the Lord which was in front of the porch of the Lord. 9 And he gathered all Judah and Benjamin, and those from Ephraim, Manasseh, and Simeon who resided with them, for many defected to him from Israel when they saw that the Lord his God was with him. 10 So they assembled at Jerusalem in the third month of the fifteenth year of Asa’s reign. 11 They sacrificed to the Lord on that day seven hundred oxen and seven thousand sheep from the spoils they had brought. 12 They entered into the covenant to seek the Lord God of their fathers with all their heart and soul; 13 and whoever would not seek the Lord God of Israel was to be put to death, whether small or great, man or woman. 14 Moreover, they made an oath to the Lord with a loud voice, with shouting, trumpets, and with horns. 15 All Judah rejoiced concerning the oath, for they had sworn with all their heart and had sought Him earnestly, and He let them find Him. So the Lord gave them rest on every side.

16 He also removed Maacah, the mother of King Asa, from the position of queen mother, because she had made an abominable image as an Asherah, and Asa cut down her abominable image, crushed it, and burned it at the brook Kidron. 17 But the high places were not removed from Israel; nevertheless Asa’s heart was blameless all his days. 18 He brought into the house of God the dedicated things of his father and his own dedicated things: silver, gold, and utensils. 19 And there was no more war until the thirty-fifth year of Asa’s reign.

TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:

When everyone else around you is carousing, fighting and struggling... join the "winning team"!  The winning team being God's team!  This doesn't mean we won't have tests and trials in our lives, but it does mean that we will experience God's spiritual peace, joy and strength that goes beyond anything this world can offer.  And God will reward us for deeds done with pure motives when we go home to heaven for all eternity.

If you are not yet a Christian, know that God desires that all come to know Him personally... by repenting and asking Jesus into your heart.  The Lord changes us from the inside out, and His Holy Spirit of promise seals us so that we cannot lose our salvation.  It is not about "doing religion" and going through the motions.  God does not expect us to be good first and then be saved.  None of us could ever be THAT good because perfection is required.  He wants us to come as we are.  He died and paid the price for all sins, and because He had victory over death, He is the only One who can forgive us and give us eternal life.

It is about "being" a child of God.  In His word, our heavenly Father tells us to do or not do things because He wants the very best for us.  Because He is holy, we should strive to be holy.  He already knows that we will still mess up, therefore His grace covers us.  All we need is a heart that desires to follow after Him, a heart that asks God to do these things FOR us, in and through us.  And because this will benefit our walk with the Lord, put away and get rid of anything that is against God.  Have daily devotions and get to know God better through His word.  Attend and serve in a church that truly seeks after Jesus and His will.  

In God's strength, be strong.  In God's faithfulness, have certain hope and courage.  In God's wisdom and guidance, build and do God's work.  God will reward us - in heaven - as well as give us inexplicable peace and joy right now.

relationships (2 Chronicles 14:1-15) Finding Peace

(2 Chronicles 14:1-15)   So Abijah lay down with his fathers, and they buried him in the city of David, and his son Asa became king in his place. The land was undisturbed for ten years during his days.

2 And Asa did what was good and right in the sight of the Lord his God, 3 for he removed the foreign altars and high places, tore down the memorial stones, cut down the Asherim, 4 and commanded Judah to seek the Lord God of their fathers and to comply with the Law and the commandment. 5 He also removed the high places and the incense altars from all the cities of Judah. And the kingdom was undisturbed under him. 6 He built fortified cities in Judah, since the land was undisturbed, and there was no one at war with him during those years, because the Lord had given him rest. 7 For he said to Judah, “Let’s build these cities and surround them with walls and towers, gates and bars. The land is still ours because we have sought the Lord our God; we have sought Him, and He has given us rest on every side.” So they built and prospered. 8 Now Asa had an army of three hundred thousand from Judah, carrying large shields and spears, and 280,000 from Benjamin, carrying shields and wielding bows; all of them were valiant warriors.

9 Now Zerah the Ethiopian went out against them with an army of a million men and three hundred chariots, and he came to Mareshah. 10 So Asa went out to meet him, and they drew up in battle formation in the Valley of Zephathah at Mareshah. 11 Then Asa called to the Lord his God and said, “Lord, there is no one besides You to help in the battle between the powerful and those who have no strength; help us, Lord our God, for we trust in You, and in Your name have come against this multitude. Lord, You are our God; do not let man prevail against You.” 12 So the Lord routed the Ethiopians before Asa and before Judah, and the Ethiopians fled. 13 Asa and the people who were with him pursued them as far as Gerar; and so many Ethiopians fell that they could not recover, for they were shattered before the Lord and before His army. And they carried away a very large amount of plunder. 14 They destroyed all the cities around Gerar, for the dread of the Lord had fallen on them; and they pillaged all the cities, for there was much plunder in them. 15 They also fatally struck those who owned livestock, and they led away large numbers of sheep and camels. Then they returned to Jerusalem.

TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:

In our relationship with the Lord, He really wants to take care of us, to the fullest extent.  In everything, from all our relationships, to our pastimes, to our finances.  And when we let God take over and when we give everything of ours to God, then when anyone attacks those things, God will take care of those things for us, because they belong to Him.  This is truly liberating, because we do not have to worry.  In fact, we can rejoice and experience a peace in our lives that is beyond... 

(Philippians 4:4-9)   Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! 5 Let your gentle spirit be known to all people. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and pleading with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 As for the things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.