Seek God In All Decisions 05.29.08

Hello My Friend/Guest,

It is Thursday May 29, 2008 and today we are continuing our studies on the book of II Chronicles. Please read Chapters 25-27 in your Bible or Click Here to read.

ww.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=II%20Chronicles%2025-27&version=9

Today we will read and learn about the reign of Amaziah in Judah, war against Edom, Israel defeating Judah, the reign of Uzziah in Jerusalem and his bout with leporsy. Today's message focuses on the importance of seeking God with all decisions and trusting Him to guide us in the right direction.

After Joash was murdered by his servants, his son Amaziah became king of Judah and as he began his reign he did what was right in the sight of the Lord, but not with a perfect heart. "Amaziah was twenty and five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned twenty and nine years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Jehoaddan of Jerusalem. And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, but not with a perfect heart." (II Chronicles 25:1-2).

He hired the army of Israel to fight Edom, but he did so without praying and relying on God for direction. A prophet came to him and advised him about this hasty action. "But there came a man of God to him, saying, O king, let not the army of Israel go with thee; for the LORD is not with Israel, to wit, with all the children of Ephraim. But if thou wilt go, do it; be strong for the battle: God shall make thee fall before the enemy: for God hath power to help, and to cast down. " (25:7-8). Amaziah expressed only concern about the money he had already paid out for defense. The prophet assured him that God was able to make up any loss he would sustain if he would only submit to and trust in God. "And Amaziah said to the man of God, But what shall we do for the hundred talents which I have given to the army of Israel? And the man of God answered, The LORD is able to give thee much more than this." (25:9). Amaziah dismissed the Israelite army and was successful in defeating the Edomites.

Like Amaziah, we are prone to seek help from worldly resources when we are confronted with a crisis. What about the sacrifices we must make and the money we may lose in order to do the Lord's will? To give it up would leave us with a helpless feeling; but we would only give up trash for treasures and rags for riches because the Lord blesses all who seek His help and guidance.

Now, Amaziah made the serious mistake of spiritual compromise. Instead of praising the Lord for the victory he brought back with him the idols of Seir and began worshipping them. "Now it came to pass, after that Amaziah was come from the slaughter of the Edomites, that he brought the gods of the children of Seir, and set them up to be his gods, and bowed down himself before them, and burned incense unto them." (25:14). He, too, was slain from the result, "Now after the time that Amaziah did turn away from following the LORD they made a conspiracy against him in Jerusalem; and he fled to Lachish: but they sent to Lachish after him, and slew him there. " (25:27).

One of the most successful kings in Judah's history was his 16-year-old son Uzziah. The key to his success was unmistakable, he did what was right in the sight of the Lord with a pure heart. "Sixteen years old was Uzziah when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty and two years in Jerusalem. His mother's name also was Jecoliah of Jerusalem. And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father Amaziah did. And he sought God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding in the visions of God: and as long as he sought the LORD, God made him to prosper." (26:3-5).

The Bible was provided by our Creator and is the one true source of wisdom for daily decisions and direction. As we read the Word of God with a desire to do His will, the Spirit of Christ, the Living Word, guides our thoughts and actions. "I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you." (John 16:12-15).

In today's reading Jesus Christ is revealed through Azariah the high priest who stood between Uzziah and the altar, because there was only one proper way to approach the Lord God of Israel and that was through the service of the priests (II Chronicles 26:17-18). Jesus, our great High Priest, is the only way for anyone to come to God.

Today's Psalm: 143:10
"Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness."

Today's Prayer:
Dear Lord,
Help our ears to be alert, our eyes to be open, and our hearts perceptive as we follow in Your ways. May we be eager to hear Your teaching and apply it to our lives so that we may be found blameless before You and experience the joy You give to those who follow Your commands. When Your meaning is clear help us to seek no other meaning to satisfy our own desires or to change the clear meaning of Your message. Align our desires with Your own, that we might find genuine peace and wholehearted obedience as You bring spiritual healing to our lives. In Jesus' name.....Amen.

Have a great and fantasticThursday!
God Bless you,
Christina

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