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Today is Tuesday April 5, 2009 and we are continuing our studies on the book of II Kings. Please read chapters 9-10 in your Bible or Click Here to read them online. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=II%20Kings%209-10&version=9

Today's Message: No Substitute
There is no substitute for complete submission to the will of God or complete obedience to His Word.

After Ahab's death, his son Ahaziah reigned over Israel for two years (see I Kings 22:51), followed by the 12-year reign of another son, Jehoram (also known as Joram) (see II Kings 3:1). These two kings zealously promoted Baal worship, which had been initiated by their wicked mother Jezebel. Baal worship had also become popular in the southern kingdom of Judah due to its king, who also was named Jehoram, who married Athaliah, the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel.

During this time of spiritual decline, the Lord was preparing Jehu, the military commander of the armies of the northern kingdom, as His instrument of judgment. God had earlier revealed to His prophet Elijah that Jehu would become king of Israel (see I Kings 19:16). "And Elisha the prophet called one of the children of the prophets, and said unto him, Gird up thy loins, and take this box of oil in thine hand, and go to Ramothgilead: And when thou comest thither, look out there Jehu the son of Jehoshaphat the son of Nimshi, and go in, and make him arise up from among his brethren, and carry him to an inner chamber; Then take the box of oil, and pour it on his head, and say, Thus saith the LORD, I have anointed thee king over Israel. Then open the door, and flee, and tarry not." (II Kings 9:1-3). Perhaps 20 years passed before the Lord directed Elisha to send a young prophet east of the Jordan River to Ramoth-gilead, where Jehu was stationed with his army.

The prophet anointed Jehu as king of Israel and the God-appointed executioner of Israel's evil King Jehoram and all the descendants of Ahab. "And when he came, behold, the captains of the host were sitting; and he said, I have an errand to thee, O captain. And Jehu said, Unto which of all us? And he said, To thee, O captain. And he arose, and went into the house; and he poured the oil on his head, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I have anointed thee king over the people of the LORD, even over Israel." (9:5-6).

Jehu drove his chariots furiously to the city of Jezreel where he executed Jehoram and then Ahaziah, king of Judah. Then Jehu had Jezebel thrown out of a window and he trampled her with his horse. And, as foretold earlier by Elijah, the dogs ate her body. He killed all of Ahab's family and all the Baal worshipers were then executed. However, he did not kill Athaliah, the daughter of Jezebel, continued to promote Baal worship as queen in Judah. "Thus Jehu destroyed Baal out of Israel. Howbeit from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin, Jehu departed not from after them, to wit, the golden calves that were in Bethel, and that were in Dan. And the LORD said unto Jehu, Because thou hast done well in executing that which is right in mine eyes, and hast done unto the house of Ahab according to all that was in mine heart, thy children of the fourth generation shall sit on the throne of Israel. But Jehu took no heed to walk in the law of the LORD God of Israel with all his heart: for he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam, which made Israel to sin." (10:28-31). There was some good about Jehu and his 28-year reign over Israel, But, there was also much that was wrong with him. His zeal for the Lord and his reformation were, but a partial turning to the Lord, just enough to achieve his own needs.

Jehu demonstrated that it is possible for one to be used by God and yet never be in submission to Christ as Lord of one's life. Hypocrites serve the Lord for their own self interests, but will eventually fall. We can not use God for our own agenda, it is one thing to pray, read, or fast to see God answer our call, but we are not never do it for our own selfish reasons.

Our decisions should never be based on the protection of our own self interests, but on our commitment to the Lord's interests. "For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God: That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified. For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness." (I Thessalonians 4:3-7).

God will bless us with all our needs and more than we ever imagine, but the key to receiving them is to be in total submission to God, not because we want something from Him, because we know it's the right thing to do.
Today's Psalm: 77:12-14
"I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings. Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary: who is so great a God as our God? Thou art the God that doest wonders: thou hast declared thy strength among the people."

Today's Prayer:
Dear God,
I want to pass on life transforming truths from Your Holy Word to those around me and those who follow me. I do so through my actions, my thoughts, and my words. May I honor You in these areas of my life so that I influence others for the Kingdom of God. In Jesus' Name............Amen.

Have a wonderful and blessed, day/night.
God Bless,
Christina

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