2 Chronicles 17
WHAT A TRIBUTE!
Our Daily Bread once told a story originally told by Gospel musician Hilding Halverson. He once overheard a discussion between his son and two other little boys. "The youngsters were bragging about their dads. One boy said proudly, "My dad knows the mayor of our town!" Another said, "So, my dad knows the governor of our state!" Halverson's son then came up with this touching comment, "That's nothing-my dad knows God!"
Upon hearing this, Halverson quickly slipped away to his room and with tears in his eyes said, "O GOD, I PRAY THAT MY BOY WILL ALWAYS BE ABLE TO SAY, 'MY DAD KNOWS GOD.'" He knew he had been paid the supreme tribute.
All through life, there will be times when people will pay you tribute, either in your hearing, or outside of your hearing. In our family, I love it when Dottie, or one of the children are complimented. They receive a tribute. And being, human, I also appreciate when I receive a compliment as well.
Of course, we as Christians are looking forward to the day when we stand before the Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 4:5 - Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.
I'm encouraged that the Lord will have something good to say about each of us. Perhaps we'll hear the Lord say, "Well done thou good and faithful servant."
I think that each of us should want the Lord to say as much good about us as possible because we love Him, and want to please Him.
Speaking of tributes, I want you to meet a king who received a tribute that was really quite encouraging. The King's name is Jehosaphat. It says of him in 2 Chronicles 17:3 - "AND THE LORD WAS WITH JEHOSAPHAT..."
The Lord was with Jehosaphat to guide, encourage, help, protect and preserve.
Now I know that the Lord Jesus is never going to leave or forsake any Christian. He promises that in Hebrews 13:5.
But when I think of the Lord being with Jehosaphat, or being with me, I think of Him doing everything He can to be on my side. And the Lord will do everything He can to be on my side, when I do everything I can to be on His side. As I walk in such a way as to please Him, He is free to do all in His power to be with me.
Psalm 66:18 - If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear [me]:
Ephesians 4:30 - And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
1 Thessalonians 5:19-22 - Quench not the Spirit. Despise not prophesyings. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil.
I think that we all want it said of us, "THE LORD WAS WITH HIM." The good news is that Jehosaphat gives us some very definite ideas of helping to assure that the Lord will be with us, that is working in our behalf all the time!
HERE ARE SOME TIPS THAT I GOT FROM JEHOSAPHAT IN 2 CHRONICLES 17:
WALK AFTER A GODLY EXAMPLE Vs. 3
WALK IN GOD'S COMMANDMENTS Vs. 4b
SEEK GOD'S FACE Vss. 4a, 6a
ACT IN GOD'S BEHALF Vs. 6b
SHARE GOD'S WORD Vss. 7-9
ENJOY GOD'S BLESSINGS Vss. 10-19
Jehosaphat took over for his father Asa. Asa was another Godly king, but he ran into trouble when he tried to do things independently of God.
It appears to most conservative scholars that Jehosaphat had a co-regency with his father for about 3 years. This was probably due to the fact that his father was dealing with a very severe case of diseased feet.
When Jehosaphat came to power, he sought the Lord the right away.
WALK AFTER A GODLY EXAMPLE Vs. 3
Read Vss. 1-3 - Jehosaphat walked in the first ways of his father David.
In what ways do you think the life of David was a good example to Jehosaphat?
We all need good examples. It is always refreshing when a child follows the example of a Godly parent.
A brief, simple, but expressive eulogy was pronounced by Martin Luther upon a pastor at Zwickau in 1522 named Nicholas Haussmann.
"What we preach, he lived," said the great reformer.
It's wonderful to have good examples. But they do us no good unless we follow the examples we have.
This is what Jehosaphat did. He walked in the first ways of David, his father. These were probably David's more Spiritual years. He followed David's positive example. We don't know for sure how he did that.
He no doubt, had been taught about David.
After all, he was the father of the ruling dynasty.
They would have wanted the king to be informed about his roots.
Perhaps he read David's writings.
Probably the Chronicles of David's kingdom were read to young Jehosaphat.
You will notice that I do a lot of preaching about people in the Bible. I can recall giving messages on the characters David, Moses, Joshua, Elijah, Elisha, and a host of others. Why do I like biographical type messages? Because people teach us by their examples.
Follow the example of the Godly people of the Bible, and learn to avoid their faults.
Follow the Godly example of your parents, grandparents, and friends who have modeled Godliness to you.
WALK AFTER A GODLY EXAMPLE
WALK IN GOD'S COMMANDMENTS Vs. 4
Notice their is a contrast here.
Jehosaphat did not walk in the ways of Israel, the Northern Kingdom, which was rebelling against God, and in the depths of sin!
Jehosaphat walked in the God's commandments.
When I walk in something, I am surrounded by it.
If I walk on sidewalk, I'm surrounded by sidewalk.
If I walk on snow or grass, I am surrounded by snow or grace. If Jehosaphat walked in God's commandments, he was surrounded by God's commandments.
Also, if I walk in or on something, I am following that particular thing. If I walk on a trail, I follow the trail. If I walk on grass, I follow the grass. If I walk on sidewalk, I follow the sidewalk.
If Jehosaphat walked in God's commandments, it would also imply that he followed God's commandments. Walking in God's commandments and keeping them should never be separated.
Psalm 119:1-2 - Blessed [are] the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD. Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.
Ezra 7:10 - For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments.
Why should we want to walk in the Lord's commandments, not just the ten, but all that the Lord has assigned us?
John 14:15 - If ye love me, keep my commandments.
The way we act towards the Lord, how we obey, and what we do for him are the expressions of how much we really love him.
"I love you, Mother," said little John;
Then forgetting his work, his cap went on,
And he was off to the garden swing,
Leaving his mother the wood to bring.
"I love you, Mother," said little Nell;
"I love you better than tongue can tell!"
Then she teased and pouted half the day,
Til Mother rejoiced when she went to play.
"I love you, Mother," said little Fran;
"Today I'll help you all I can."
To the cradle then she did softly creep,
And rocked the baby till it fell asleep.
Then stepping softly, she took the broom
And swept the floor and dusted the room;
busy and happy all day was she,
Helpful and cheerful as she could be.
"I love you, Mother," again they said,
Three little children going to bed.
How do you think that Mother guessed
Which of them really loved her best. Joy Allison
How does the Lord know when we love Him best?
When we do what Jehosaphat did.
When we walk in His commandments and obey them. So often, we sound like these little children, professing love, but not showing it.
We can only do that as we study God's Word, and apply it to our lives.
WALK AFTER A GODLY EXAMPLE
WALK AFTER GOD'S COMMANDMENTS
SEEK GOD'S FACE Vss. 4a, 6a
You have something in common with President Bush.
You have something in common Queen Elizabeth.
You have something in common with Brian Giles.
You have something in common with Hilary Clinton.
What is it?
Today you have 24 hours, complete with 60 minutes to the hour and 60 seconds to the minute.
You have no more time today than anyone else.
You have no less time today than anyone else.
How you use that time is important.
Ephesians 5:15-17 - See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.
How much time today did you spend seeking God's face?
It says that Jehosaphat "sought to the Lord God of his father."
It also says "And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the Lord:
There is no better way to spend our time than to seek God's face.
We seek God's face as we worship.
We seek God's face as we pray.
We seek God's face as we memorize and meditate on God's Word.
We seek God's face as we study God's Word.
And, if our heart is right, we seek God's face as we fellowship with other Christians, and when we seek to help others, Christian, or not. Why, we even seek God's face when we witness. We are seeking to bring others face to face with our Lord.
Psalm 27:4&8 - One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple. When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek.
SEEK GOD'S FACE
WALK IN GOD'S COMMANDMENTS
WALK AFTER A GODLY EXAMPLE
ACT IN GOD'S BEHALF Vs. 6b
Moreover he took away the high places and groves out of Judah.
Jeshosaphat did what God would want him to do.
He acted in behalf of God by taking places of false worship away!
Every thing we do is in behalf of someone.
All to often the things I do are in behalf of myself. I benefit.
Other times I do things in behalf of others.
And other times I do things in behalf of God.
Remember, when I do things in behalf of God, I will actually be of the greatest benefit to myself and others.
The next time you are tempted to do something, ask yourself,
"Who am I trying to benefit, myself, others, or the Lord?
Colossians 3:17 - And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, [do] all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
1 Corinthians 10:32 - Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.
Take a moment and think!
What can you do this week in God's behalf.
Witness for Him?
Help a fellow Christian?
Remove a bad habit or idol from your life?
Spend more time in prayer?
ACT IN GOD'S BEHALF
WALK AFTER A GODLY EXAMPLE
WALK IN GOD'S COMMANDMENTS
SEEK GOD'S FACE
SHARE GOD'S WORD Vss. 7-9
You know how the government comes up with a "blue ribbon panel" to address some sort of problem.
I think this is what Jehosaphat did.
He realized that His people were ignorant of the Word of God, so he sent out a team of teachers. The team included priests, Levites, and princes.
Jehosaphat's purpose was to better educate the people in the Word of God.
As the people were educated in the Word of God, they would be more prone to obey it.
Nehemiah 8:8 - So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused [them] to understand the reading.
Have we ever thought that it is our responsibility to share the Word of God with our Judea? How can we do this?
Good News Clubs and Five Day Clubs
Neighborhood Bible Studies.
Release Time Classes.
Mailings.
Friendship Evangelism
Nursing Homes.
SHARE GOD'S WORD
ENJOY GOD'S BLESSINGS Vss. 10-19
Read and Comment
Jehosaphat was paid quite a tribute: The Lord as with Jehosaphat.
We will experience the same tribute as we do what Jehosaphat did.
WALK AFTER GODLY EXAMPLES
WALK IN GOD'S COMMANDMENTS
SEEK GOD'S FACE
ACT IN GOD'S BEHALF
SHARE GOD'S WORD
ENJOY GOD' BLESSING