|
Dear Heavenly Father, Praise I can imagine how frustrated you were as you watched Jehoshaphat ride into battle with King Ahab, his royal robes flapping in the wind. How could he be so stupid!? Yet you had pity on him and spared his life, for that’s the kind of God you are! You are kind when I am thoughtless, and you are merciful when I am mistaken. I praise you today for your lovingkindness, and I bow my unworthy head before you in worship! Great indeed are you Lord! Today in Your Word Today you told me about the death of Ahab and Jehoshaphat’s victory over Moab. Ahab thought he could sidestep your death sentence by disguising himself, but your word by Micaiah came to pass. A certain man drew his bow at random and struck Ahab between his scale armor and his breastplate. When you are out to get someone, there is no escape! Jehoshaphat nearly died as well—the enemy commanders saw his royal robes and turned aside to kill him. Only your mercy prevented him from joining Ahab in death. On the way home, you sent Jehu to rebuke Jehoshaphat for allying himself with Ahab. “Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the Lord? Because of this, wrath has gone out against you from the Lord” (2 Chr 19:2). This is a sobering reminder not to be unequally yoked with unbelievers (cf. 2 Cor 6:14–18). It also teaches me that when your crosshairs are centered on someone who is in rebellion against you, the smartest thing to do is to stay far away from them! Jehoshaphat might not have been the wisest of men, but there was, as you said, “some good in him,” and he instituted judicial reforms throughout his kingdom. He urged his judges to be impartial and to “let the fear of the Lord be upon you” (2 Chr 19:7). This is good advice, and I would do well to have the same attitude in my dealings with others. While Jehoshaphat was striving to bring Judah back into harmony with your law, Moab was plotting an attack. They allied with the Ammonites and the Meunites and marched on Judah. Jehoshaphat was afraid, but he turned to you for help and obeyed when you told him to “go out to face them, for the Lord is with you.” He appointed the Levites to go before the army, singing and praising you for your love and mercy. When they began to sing, you set an ambush against the Moabites. By the time Jehoshaphat got to the battlefield, everyone was dead. What an amazing testament to your ability to show yourself faithful to those who worship you! Reflection You told Jehoshaphat not to be afraid, “for the battle is not yours but God’s,” yet you also told him to “go down against them” (2 Chr 20:15–16). The question is not whether you will fight on my behalf, but whether I am willing to step out in faith and face my fears. Request Father, help me to learn from Jehoshaphat’s failures as well as his faith. Keep me from partnering with those who are in rebellion against you, and put a road-block in my path when I’m headed for disaster. Thanksgiving Thank you for your mercy! Today’s reading makes me all the more grateful for how you take care of me in spite of myself! Blessed be the name of the Lord! In Jesus’ name, Amen. Suggested Hymn: “Onward, Christian Soldiers” — Sabine Baring-Gould. Meditation Verse: 2 Chronicles 20:35–37. |