A Tale of Two Kings

This year my New Year's resolution was to read the entire Bible. It was something that I could not say that I have done. I will admit there have been some tough sections to get through. Some of the books that I thought would be a chore to read have been full of spiritual truth. For instance, I have been in 2 Chronicles over the past week and I discovered a great truth and example for our lives that could be easily overlooked.
After King David passes away Israel was split into two kingdoms, the tribes of Israel and the tribe of Judah. David's lineage continued to reign in Judah. Judah began a back and forth type of existence in regards to their following the commands of God. 2 Chronicles 19 - 20 tells the history of King Jehoshaphat.
Jehoshaphat was a godly king unlike some of his predecessors. Previous to him and his father Asa's reigns Judah had regressed from worshiping God to serving the gods of Israel. They made Asherah poles. These poles were a shrine to the goddess Asherah. This type of pagan worship had become such a problem that God threatened to give them up if they did not turn from it. At times He would give the people of Judah over to invaders and the kingdom would be plundered. At times they suffered famines. But, Jehoshaphat trusted in the Lord. Chapter 17 verse 3-4 states that " the Lord was with Jehoshaphat because in his early years he walked in the ways His father David had followed. He did not consult the Baals (pagan gods)but sought the God of his father and followed His commands." Also in verse 6 it says that "his heart was devoted to the Lord, he removed the high places and asherah poles from Judah." Jehoshaphat experienced a peaceful reign and enjoyed the blessings of God over his nation. Jehoshaphat's reign is summed up in chapter 20 verse 32, "He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord."
After Jehoshaphat died he was buried with his fathers. His son Jehoram became king and he did not follow God. Chapter 21 says that he "did evil in the eyes of the Lord." He began worshiping other gods and he paid for it. He led the tribe of Judah astray and God did not give him peace during his reign. Jehoram received a letter from the prophet Elijah that said, " You have not walked in the ways of your father Jehoshaphat or Asa king of Judah. But you have walked in the ways of the kings of Israel, you have led Judah and the people of Jerusalem to prostitute themselves." Later the letter gave the consequences when it said, "So now the Lord is about to strike your people, your sons, your wives and everything that is yours, with a heavy blow. You yourself will be very ill with a lingering disease of the bowels, until the disease causes your bowels to come out." God always does what he says and Jehoram was afflicted with this disease and did die from it. Also, Judah was attacked by the Phillistines and everything in the kingdom was plundered and people were carried off. Jehoram turned from God an the last verse of chapter 20 summarizes his tragic reign. It says, "He passed away, to no one's regret." How sad! But this is the penalty for not following God.
These two stories show us the difference between choosing to follow God and devote ourselves to him and turning from Him. I am sure you could think of manny people you know or have heard about and see these two different stories played out in their lives. Ultimately we have a choice to follow God or follow the world and the things (gods) of the world. Another truth we find in these scriptures is that what God says He will do, He will surely do! For example He promised David that He would never let Judah be destroyed and He did not. But He did not alleviate the consequences of their sin. The same applies to us, He promised that He would save us if we devote our lives to Him. He will surely do this but we will still answer for our sins to Him. I hope today we will be like Jehoshaphat and follow in the ways of God. We can find strength in Him. I will leave you with this verse that spoke to me and lifted me up. "For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. 2 Chronicles 16:9" If we stay committed to Him, God will recognize it and give us the strength we need to live holy in this world just the same as He did for Jehoshaphat and the kings that followed His way! Have a great day.

What Does God Require of Us?

The moment we get saved is a time that we never forget. To know that we will spend an eternity in the presence of God brings about a feeling of great joy. If you think back to that time in your life you probably remember walking the aisle and afterwards other Christians shaking your hand and welcoming you into the family of God.
Sometimes the big issue after we are saved is we don't know what to do next. What should our direction be and what should we do next? Luckily, God gave us all of the answers in His word. In Leviticus God actually gives us a charge. What is a charge? Many of us remember that when we graduated school someone gave a speech and told us what was expected of us. Usually this was a charge. When we start a new job our new employer gives a charge that lets us know what is expected of us. Well we as Christians are no different because God gives us a charge. Leviticus 20, verses 7 and 8 say, "Consecrate yourselves and be holy because I am the Lord your God. Keep my decrees and follow them. I am the Lord, who makes you holy." From these verses God gives us to major duties.
First he says to be holy. The word holy means to be set apart. We are not to be like the world following all of the lusts and sinful desires in it. By following His laws and commands we will separate ourselves from the world, we are to be different. One of my favorite verses in Romans 12 backs this up when Paul tells us to present our bodies holy and acceptable to God and not to be conformed to the world but transformed. (paraphrased) We are to be different.
Secondly, He tells us to keep His decrees and FOLLOW them. We have to dig into the Word and find out what these decrees are and do what they say. If you read in the Old Testament you find out that God means what He says and that there are consequences for not doing it. Many Christians always say that they believe and love Jesus. This may be so or in some cases it may just be on the lips and not in the mind and heart. Jesus says in John 14 verses 23 and 24 that "he who loves me will obey my teaching. If you love me you will obey what I command." Do you keep God's decrees? Are they daily on your mind? As I told a Sunday School class once, we have the road map to living this life. It is the Bible. We have to use the map to get to our destination.
God has given us a charge to keep. To be holy through following His laws. We must study His word so that we are equipped to keep the charge. We should also disciple new believers so they know what is expected. Its not a one time recitation of a prayer. It is striving for a life of holiness. And luckily for us we have God's help to do this. He says that He is the Lord who makes us holy. We couldn't do this on our own and with the help of the Holy Spirit that He gives to believers we can strive for holiness and be successful. It takes an effort and work. I hope this helps you today as it has helped and spoken to me. Have a great day!