2 Chronicles 15-17

Click on the above Scripture to read today's Bible text.

There are several powerful truths to consider as we read these 3 chapters. Let me give you a few:

1) The Lord often responds according to our will! What's interesting about this statement is that so often we, as human beings, are often deeply interested in knowing God's will and how He feels about things. Here's the interesting part! God wants to know YOUR will as well. He wants to how you feel about Him too! And, He's interested in knowing whether you're interested in following Him and loving Him. Listen to what Azariah said to King Asa under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit in chapter 15:2, "The Lord will stay with you as longs as you stay with him! Whenever you seek him, you will find him. But when you abandon him, he will abandon you."

In other words, God is sensitive to your relationship with Him. If you're not interested in having Him around, He'll back off. Now, please don't misunderstand! He NEVER leaves us. He will simply pull back His work in your life. If you decide to abandon God, He will leave His hands off and leave you to your own will and destruction. But, if you seek Him, you will find His presence and work in your life!

2) How deep is your commitment to God? Wow! Did you see the depth of the covenant King Asa and the rest of the tribe of Judah made with God in chapter 15:12-15? It's incredible! They so deeply committed themselves to the Lord that they unanimously agreed to kill anyone who didn't worship and follow God with all their heart. Now that's a covenant!

Have you made a deep commitment to the Lord? Can you say that you are earnestly seeking Him with ALL YOUR HEART?

As a result of their loyalty to God, God gave them rest from their enemies for many years!

3) Are YOU remaining strong in the Lord to the end? As committed as King Asa was to the Lord in the early part of his reign, he seemed to weaken in the latter part. Chapter 17 tells us in verse 3 about this sad commentary.

So many Christians seem "GUNG HO!" in the early years of their Christian walk, but end up phasing out in their latter years. How sad! May it NEVER be said that you did the same thing! May God give you the strength to stay FAITHFUL TO THE END! I hope my tombstone could say that about my relationship to my wife, my family, my friends, and especially to my Lord - "Faithful to the end!"

4) God blesses those who are committed to Him! Chapter 17 shares the blessings of a man who is deeply devoted to God. If fact, King Jehoshaphat is one of the most respected kings in all of Israel's history. Next to king David and king Solomon comes king Jehoshaphat. Not only did he build up Judah's army to the point that ALL the nations surrounding him were in fear of him, but he was effective in teaching all the people of Judah the Book of the Law (the Old Testament). No one (other than David and Solomon) did more to influence a powerful and spiritual kingdom of people than did Jehoshaphat!

As a Godly man, he saw his two most important acts as being:

- To strengthen the kingdom's army with military might!
- And, to strengthen God's people with instruction from the Book of the Law of Moses!

This allowed his nation to be both physically and spiritually prepared! Is not this good advice for those in leadership in our country?

God bless you and have a wonderful day! Let me no your comments...