2 Chronicles 17:3-6, 10-12
Everyone is on a Journey of Faith. We talk about it all the time. I preach about it all the time. It is literally one of our DNA values at Emmanuel. I recently had a conversation with a young man explaining that our relationship with God has plenty of “ups and downs.” What I mean is that sometimes we are living a faithful life to God and there is great blessing in that. Then, at other times we are living in disobedience to God and there is great struggle in that. Just recently, I found myself in a bit of a rut spiritually. Exhaustion and frustration were leading me to “take it out” on Tami. I knew it was wrong, but I was still doing it. What I needed was to be reminded that God is in control, and I can trust him. My kind and gracious wife reminded me of that important reality. Maybe you’re in a season of struggle like I have been, or maybe you’re in a season of success like King Jehoshaphat.
For the king of Judah, God was blessing his life! He chose to “rise above” the other evil kings and follow the Lord. In fact, he did so in his “early years.” In those formative years of leadership and development, Jehoshaphat was committed and connected to the glory of Jehovah God over the worship of worthless idols. He removed the “high places” (pagan altars) and the Asherah poles from Judah. He refused to be like his other predecessors, and God blessed him as a result. Consequently, reverence and respect for Jehovah God was at an “all-time high.” The people followed his leadership, and even the surrounding nations were filled with fear when considering potential attacks upon the Israelites. The Bible says that the king of Judah became “more and more powerful” as he “built forts and store cities in Judah.” God was blessing his people, and Jehoshaphat was the recipient of that blessing.
Maybe you’re the recipient of God’s blessings right now. Maybe he has even blessed you physically and financially. Maybe you feel like you are “on top of the world” in your life right now. There are a few things to consider: (1) How are you using those blessings to advance the Kingdom of God? (2) Do you have a healthy mindset as to the source of those blessings? (3) Are you willing to stay committed to what brought you those blessings? What you are going to find later about this popular king is that he made some “foolish decisions.” Remember how we began this devotional: WE ARE ALL ON A JOURNEY OF FAITH. That journey has its “ups and downs.” You’re not going to “live in the highs” forever. Challenges to your faithfulness are coming. How will you respond to them? How will you respond to your mistakes? Much of what defines the legacy of our lives is NOT what we accomplish but how we respond to our inevitable mistakes.
Over the years, I have seen a lot of people who have been blessed by God for a season only to eventually “throw it away” for a number of reasons. The temptation of pride sets in and shipwrecks their faith. The temptation of apathy sets in and dissolves their faith. The temptation of self-reliance sets in, and before you know it, they have drifted away from the mission. One of the main reasons that I shared my struggles with you early in the devotional is to remind you of the importance of perseverance. While it has been a challenging season in my life, I have no plans of giving up on God or the purpose he has called me to in this life. What I am trying to help you with is a “reality check.” Sometimes “things are going well” and a smile is on your face. At other times, the pressure is very real, and you are desperate for God’s strength. Enjoy the good times; persevere in the tough times. God is real and available in both. He is faithful.
For the king of Judah, God was blessing his life! He chose to “rise above” the other evil kings and follow the Lord. In fact, he did so in his “early years.” In those formative years of leadership and development, Jehoshaphat was committed and connected to the glory of Jehovah God over the worship of worthless idols. He removed the “high places” (pagan altars) and the Asherah poles from Judah. He refused to be like his other predecessors, and God blessed him as a result. Consequently, reverence and respect for Jehovah God was at an “all-time high.” The people followed his leadership, and even the surrounding nations were filled with fear when considering potential attacks upon the Israelites. The Bible says that the king of Judah became “more and more powerful” as he “built forts and store cities in Judah.” God was blessing his people, and Jehoshaphat was the recipient of that blessing.
Maybe you’re the recipient of God’s blessings right now. Maybe he has even blessed you physically and financially. Maybe you feel like you are “on top of the world” in your life right now. There are a few things to consider: (1) How are you using those blessings to advance the Kingdom of God? (2) Do you have a healthy mindset as to the source of those blessings? (3) Are you willing to stay committed to what brought you those blessings? What you are going to find later about this popular king is that he made some “foolish decisions.” Remember how we began this devotional: WE ARE ALL ON A JOURNEY OF FAITH. That journey has its “ups and downs.” You’re not going to “live in the highs” forever. Challenges to your faithfulness are coming. How will you respond to them? How will you respond to your mistakes? Much of what defines the legacy of our lives is NOT what we accomplish but how we respond to our inevitable mistakes.
Over the years, I have seen a lot of people who have been blessed by God for a season only to eventually “throw it away” for a number of reasons. The temptation of pride sets in and shipwrecks their faith. The temptation of apathy sets in and dissolves their faith. The temptation of self-reliance sets in, and before you know it, they have drifted away from the mission. One of the main reasons that I shared my struggles with you early in the devotional is to remind you of the importance of perseverance. While it has been a challenging season in my life, I have no plans of giving up on God or the purpose he has called me to in this life. What I am trying to help you with is a “reality check.” Sometimes “things are going well” and a smile is on your face. At other times, the pressure is very real, and you are desperate for God’s strength. Enjoy the good times; persevere in the tough times. God is real and available in both. He is faithful.
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