Read: 2 Chronicles 17:1-18:34; Romans 9:22-10:13; Psalm 20:1-9; Proverbs 20:2-3
Asa’s son, Jehoshaphat became king and he started out devoted to the Lord. He removed the high places and Ashram poles from Judah cleansing it of idolatry. He even sent priests to all the cities to teach the people the Word of God. God put fear in the other nations so they honored and gave tribute to Judah.
Jehoshaphat’s downfall began when he aligned himself with Ahab and married one of her daughters making him obligated to fight with Ahab against the Syrians who had taken Ramoth Gilead. Jehoshaphat had enough spiritual sense to ask God whether they should fight them but not enough to follow the advise God gave. He followed the advise Ahab’s prophets gave instead. Ahab’s prophets told the kings that they would have great success. When Jehoshaphat insisted on finding a prophet of the Lord, they found Micaiah who finally told them that he saw all Israel scattered on the hills like sheep without a shepherd. This got Micaiah thrown in jail and Jehoshaphat and Ahab went out to war. Ahab told Jehoshaphat to dress like a king while he wore a disguise. What a set up! Syria was after the king. God saved Jehoshaphat but a random arrow killed Ahab. Jehoshaphat would be repromanded later.
In Romans, Paul asked a thought provoking question. He asked, “What if, God choosing to show his wrath and make his power know, bore with great patience the objects of this wrath - prepared for destruction, that me might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had prepared before time for glory?” In other words, God carefully and with much thought, crafted and created vessels (people) to carry on his wrath so that his glory would shine more brightly.
This reminds me of my painting classes. My teacher would always say when you paint light you always need to paint darkness so the light will have something to contrast it and make it stand out more. Dark people make God’s children of light stand out more.
God’s chosen people are both Gentile and Jew believers in Christ. Israel as a nation rejected grace and chose to follow the law and establish their own righteousness. But whoever finds their righteousness in Christ is saved.
Lord, remind us to turn to you in the midst of every battle because you have the victory and you have the answer.
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