Category Archives: Strong in Our Weakness

Envy / Jealousy / Coveting, Obeying God, Persecution / Glorifying God, Protector / Deliverer, Share the Good News, Strong in Our Weakness

Obey God Rather Than Men

True followers of Jesus Christ have faced persecution since Yeshua came to walk among us in His earthly ministry. In truth it may actually serve at times for an external measure of our personal testimony for Christ. If we claim to follow Christ but never suffer even the slightest bit of persecution or rejection from others, there is likely one of two things happening. Either we have compromised the true message of the gospel and watered it down such that it no longer makes non believers uncomfortable or we are not proclaiming Yeshua among non believers.

When Yeshua and His disciples preached, people were moved in one direction or the other… there is no middle ground. You either accept Yeshua and follow Him, changing your life to be more like His example, or you reject Him as God and probably get tired of hearing genuine Christians keep telling you about Him.  Someone who hears the true gospel of Christ, that we go to hell and suffer for eternity because of our own sinful nature unless we submit to follow Christ, can not accept it as true and then continue to ignore it, changing nothing in their lives. If this message does not move you to change your life… you have not accepted it genuinely and wholeheartedly. You are just going through the motions, or “checking a box” on a checklist. Perhaps you are just following traditions of what your parents did before you… but this will not lead to salvation through Christ.

Because the message of Christ makes people uncomfortable, many will come against you when you live and share a life and message that truly reflects Yeshua and God’s revealed word in the Bible.  We must decide whom we shall obey… will we obey God or men. The disciples faced strong persecution over and over following the death of Christ. All but John ultimately died for their faith in Jesus. John was exiled to an island, Patmos. Acts 5 shows one such example of persecution and how the disciples reacted to it.

Acts 5:17-32

Imprisonment and Release

      17But the high priest rose up, along with all his associates (that is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with jealousy. 18They laid hands on the apostles and put them in a public jail. 19But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the gates of the prison, and taking them out he said, 20“Go, stand and speak to the people in the temple the whole message of this Life.” 21Upon hearing this, they entered into the temple about daybreak and began to teach. Now when the high priest and his associates came, they called the Council together, even all the Senate of the sons of Israel, and sent orders to the prison house for them to be brought. 22But the officers who came did not find them in the prison; and they returned and reported back, 23saying, “We found the prison house locked quite securely and the guards standing at the doors; but when we had opened up, we found no one inside.” 24Now when the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests heard these words, they were greatly perplexed about them as to what would come of this. 25But someone came and reported to them, “The men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people!” 26Then the captain went along with the officers and proceeded to bring them back without violence (for they were afraid of the people, that they might be stoned).

      27When they had brought them, they stood them before the Council. The high priest questioned them, 28saying, “We gave you strict orders not to continue teaching in this name, and yet, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.” 29But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men. 30“The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you had put to death by hanging Him on a cross. 31“He is the one whom God exalted to His right hand as a Prince and a Savior, to grant repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. 32“And we are witnesses of these things; and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey Him.”

What a powerful testimony! Imagine yourself in their place… arrested when you stood up to proclaim Yeshua. Then Yahweh sets you free in a powerful way. How many of us would then run and hide? The disciples, filled with courage from the Holy Spirit, obeyed Yahweh and went to a public place where they could be easily found and preached the truth of the gospel of our Messiah!

I pray my Father would prepare me to respond in a like manner as the disciples. I am convinced it requires the presence of the Holy Spirit. We must each pray for Yah’s help in this area so that we would proclaim the gospel boldly in all circumstances. We must also prepare through consistent, daily study of His word.

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, please prepare my heart to stand firmly for You even when I am threatened by those who seemingly have power or authority over me. Thank You for being our provider and protector. Let me not be easily discouraged from boldly proclaiming the gospel. Please give me the words to speak and the opportunity to speak them. I pray these things also for others who follow You, locally, across my state, across my country and the world. Amen. 

Shalom

Devotion by John in service to Christ

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

All Powerful / King of All, Faith / Trusting God, Fasting, Learning To Pray Effectively, Praise / Worship / Glorify God, Protector / Deliverer, Seeking God, Strong in Our Weakness, Through Prophets, Worthy of Fear / Reverence

Prayer and Fasting and Seeking the LORD Wholeheartedly in Crisis

As we read in Chronicles 20, we again see an excellent example of how the LORD wants the righteous to turn to Him and trust in Him when faced by seemingly insurmountable odds.  We may not all face an invading army as Jehoshaphat did, but we all face stress and challenges that may seem overwhelming to us.

As you read 2 Chronicles 20, think of it not just in terms of the context of an invading army but in terms of situations in which you feel overwhelmed and should follow the example of Jehoshaphat and turn to the LORD for deliverance.

2 Chronicles 20:1-34

Judah Invaded

      1Now it came about after this that the sons of Moab and the sons of Ammon, together with some of the Meunites, came to make war against Jehoshaphat. 2Then some came and reported to Jehoshaphat, saying, “A great multitude is coming against you from beyond the sea, out of Aram and behold, they are in Hazazon-tamar (that is Engedi).” 3Jehoshaphat was afraid and turned his attention to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. 4So Judah gathered together to seek help from the LORD; they even came from all the cities of Judah to seek the LORD.

Jehoshaphat’s Prayer

      5Then Jehoshaphat stood in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the LORD before the new court, 6and he said, “O LORD, the God of our fathers, are You not God in the heavens? And are You not ruler over all the kingdoms of the nations? Power and might are in Your hand so that no one can stand against You. 7“Did You not, O our God, drive out the inhabitants of this land before Your people Israel and give it to the descendants of Abraham Your friend forever? 8“They have lived in it, and have built You a sanctuary there for Your name, saying, 9‘Should evil come upon us, the sword, or judgment, or pestilence, or famine, we will stand before this house and before You (for Your name is in this house) and cry to You in our distress, and You will hear and deliver us.’ 10“Now behold, the sons of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir, whom You did not let Israel invade when they came out of the land of Egypt (they turned aside from them and did not destroy them), 11see how they are rewarding us by coming to drive us out from Your possession which You have given us as an inheritance. 12“O our God, will You not judge them? For we are powerless before this great multitude who are coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are on You.”

      13All Judah was standing before the LORD, with their infants, their wives and their children.

Jahaziel Answers the Prayer

      14Then in the midst of the assembly the Spirit of the LORD came upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, the Levite of the sons of Asaph; 15and he said, “Listen, all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat: thus says the LORD to you, ‘Do not fear or be dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours but God’s. 16‘Tomorrow go down against them. Behold, they will come up by the ascent of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the valley in front of the wilderness of Jeruel. 17‘You need not fight in this battle; station yourselves, stand and see the salvation of the LORD on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem.’ Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out to face them, for the LORD is with you.”

      18Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down before the LORD, worshiping the LORD. 19The Levites, from the sons of the Kohathites and of the sons of the Korahites, stood up to praise the LORD God of Israel, with a very loud voice.

Enemies Destroy Themselves

      20They rose early in the morning and went out to the wilderness of Tekoa; and when they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Listen to me, O Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem, put your trust in the LORD your God and you will be established. Put your trust in His prophets and succeed.” 21When he had consulted with the people, he appointed those who sang to the LORD and those who praised Him in holy attire, as they went out before the army and said, “Give thanks to the LORD, for His lovingkindness is everlasting.” 22When they began singing and praising, the LORD set ambushes against the sons of Ammon, Moab and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; so they were routed. 23For the sons of Ammon and Moab rose up against the inhabitants of Mount Seir destroying them completely; and when they had finished with the inhabitants of Seir, they helped to destroy one another.

      24When Judah came to the lookout of the wilderness, they looked toward the multitude, and behold, they were corpses lying on the ground, and no one had escaped. 25When Jehoshaphat and his people came to take their spoil, they found much among them, including goods, garments and valuable things which they took for themselves, more than they could carry. And they were three days taking the spoil because there was so much.

Triumphant Return to Jerusalem

      26Then on the fourth day they assembled in the valley of Beracah, for there they blessed the LORD. Therefore they have named that place “The Valley of Beracah” until today. 27Every man of Judah and Jerusalem returned with Jehoshaphat at their head, returning to Jerusalem with joy, for the LORD had made them to rejoice over their enemies. 28They came to Jerusalem with harps, lyres and trumpets to the house of the LORD. 29And the dread of God was on all the kingdoms of the lands when they heard that the LORD had fought against the enemies of Israel. 30So the kingdom of Jehoshaphat was at peace, for his God gave him rest on all sides.

      31Now Jehoshaphat reigned over Judah. He was thirty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem twenty-five years. And his mother’s name was Azubah the daughter of Shilhi. 32He walked in the way of his father Asa and did not depart from it, doing right in the sight of the LORD. 33The high places, however, were not removed; the people had not yet directed their hearts to the God of their fathers.

      34Now the rest of the acts of Jehoshaphat, first to last, behold, they are written in the annals of Jehu the son of Hanani, which is recorded in the Book of the Kings of Israel.

I want to highlight some key elements I find in today’s scripture. I am sure you can find more if you seek it.

  • Jehoshaphat was afraid. It is a human emotion. Don’t be ashamed if you feel fear or difficulty over a situation. Recognize it and turn to the LORD.
  • The people of Judah came together to seek the LORD.
  • The people of Judah fasted together to further emphasize their focus on seeking the LORD in prayer.
  • They came together to pray, led by Jehoshaphat. He led prayer by focusing on who God is and on His power. He focused on how God has delivered them before. He lifted up and glorified the name of Yahweh before even asking for the help he so desperately needed.
  •  The LORD sent His Spirit on one of the crowd and answered. He gave specific details, which may not always  be the case.
  • The people worshipped and praised Yahweh. They did not just disappear and go back to their business after Yahweh said yes to helping them.
  • In this case the LORD said they would not have to fight the enemy. They showed strong faith by sending out those with song and praise in front of the army!
  • As they sang and praised the enemy was defeated.
  • They celebrated with thankful heart after the victory was delivered.
  • Their prayer and trust in the LORD brought them peace beyond the initial battle for which they were asking for help.
  • It all played out for the glory of Yahweh and not Jehoshaphat or the people of Judah.

Prayerfully reflect on these elements and how you may apply them to situations in your own life. Discuss with someone you trust that is submitted to the LORD.

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, please help me to draw near to You and rely on You in good times and in difficult ones. Please surround me with a family and friends that will seek You alongside me and not abandon me when things get tough. Help us to seek You and glorify You. Let us cast our anxiety upon You for you love us. Thank you for your help!

Shalom

Devotion by John in service to Christ

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

All Powerful / King of All, Consequences of Sin, Discipline / Guidance From God, Faith / Trusting God, His Ways Are Not Our Ways, Protector / Deliverer, Rebuke Wrong Behavior, Repenting from Sin, Strong in Our Weakness, Submitted / Servant

Without God, Even When You Win, You Lose

There are some situations in which you end up coming out on what feels like a losing side, even when you accomplished what you set out to do. Even when you win, you lose.

We can read about one such dramatic situation with King Asa in 2 Chronicles 16. As context, remember 2 Chronicles 15:17 tells us despite not being perfect, Asa had a heart toward God.

2 Chronicles 15:17

17But the high places were not removed from Israel; nevertheless Asa’s heart was blameless all his days.

Remember also that Asa had previously experienced help from the LORD leading him to overcome significant military disadvantage. After 35 years as king, most of it in peace, we can see how Asa responded when confronted by the King of Israel.

2 Chronicles 16

Asa Wars against Baasha

      1In the thirty-sixth year of Asa’s reign Baasha king of Israel came up against Judah and fortified Ramah in order to prevent anyone from going out or coming in to Asa king of Judah. 2Then Asa brought out silver and gold from the treasuries of the house of the LORD and the king’s house, and sent them to Ben-hadad king of Aram, who lived in Damascus, saying, 3“Let there be a treaty between you and me, as between my father and your father. Behold, I have sent you silver and gold; go, break your treaty with Baasha king of Israel so that he will withdraw from me.” 4So Ben-hadad listened to King Asa and sent the commanders of his armies against the cities of Israel, and they conquered Ijon, Dan, Abel-maim and all the store cities of Naphtali. 5When Baasha heard of it, he ceased fortifying Ramah and stopped his work. 6Then King Asa brought all Judah, and they carried away the stones of Ramah and its timber with which Baasha had been building, and with them he fortified Geba and Mizpah.

Asa Imprisons the Prophet

      7At that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah and said to him, “Because you have relied on the king of Aram and have not relied on the LORD your God, therefore the army of the king of Aram has escaped out of your hand. 8“Were not the Ethiopians and the Lubim an immense army with very many chariots and horsemen? Yet because you relied on the LORD, He delivered them into your hand. 9“For the eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His. You have acted foolishly in this. Indeed, from now on you will surely have wars.” 10Then Asa was angry with the seer and put him in prison, for he was enraged at him for this. And Asa oppressed some of the people at the same time.

      11Now, the acts of Asa from first to last, behold, they are written in the Book of the Kings of Judah and Israel. 12In the thirty-ninth year of his reign Asa became diseased in his feet. His disease was severe, yet even in his disease he did not seek the LORD, but the physicians. 13So Asa slept with his fathers, having died in the forty-first year of his reign. 14They buried him in his own tomb which he had cut out for himself in the city of David, and they laid him in the resting place which he had filled with spices of various kinds blended by the perfumers’ art; and they made a very great fire for him.

Most of us might start out by thinking that Asa was wise. He solved the problem. He won. But ultimately, he lost even when he accomplished what he set out to do. He did not put his trust in the LORD despite previous victories at the LORD’s hand. Instead, he put his trust in man to deliver him. The LORD was not pleased, and Asa and all his people experienced consequence of more war because of it.

A prophet Hanani comes to rebuke Asa. This is where someone like King David would repent and ask forgiveness of the LORD. Asa doubles down and makes another mistake. He imprisons the messenger because he does not like the message. Sounds like pride got the better of him. We should challenge ourselves not to get angry with wise counsel from those seeking the LORD and His word and His will. Let us listen and consider what they say about our actions. If we are wrong, let us repent, not double down in our sin. That is like someone offering to pull you out of a pit and you are angry they are telling you that you are in a pit so you dig deeper and pull them in with you. It does not make sense ultimately. We must admit, however, that it can be hard to admit our mistakes when we have not trusted God, perhaps more so when we accomplished what we set out to do.

We do not find out what happened to the seer after that. How long was he in prison? Likely that strikes most of us as “unfair” for the prophet, however there is no mention of the LORD setting him free. We just don’t know. We are still to trust the LORD. His ways are higher than ours.

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, please keep me humble before You, even as I may have power or influence in some situations as King Asa clearly did. Please help me to trust in You and not in man for deliverance, even (or perhaps especially) when the odds seem stacked against me. If I put my trust in man and you send someone to open my eyes and rebuke me, please help me to be humble and listen and repent and not double down in my pride or anger to move my heart further from you.  If I am ever to be used as Hanani, please give me courage to bring the message You tell me to, despite potential consequences. Amen. 

Shalom

Devotion by John in service to Christ

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Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Blessed, Faith / Trusting God, Fear / Reverence for God, Learning To Pray Effectively, Obeying God, Peace / Rest, Protector / Deliverer, Rebuke Wrong Behavior, Repenting from Sin, Strong in Our Weakness, Submitted / Servant, Worthy of Fear / Reverence

Do Right in the Sight of the LORD

Good things happen when we do “good and right in the sight of the LORD”. Our LORD can provide peace and success over challenges and enemies that we could not otherwise achieve. This principle applies in our personal lives today as it did thousands of years ago regarding war.

2 Chronicles 14

Asa Succeeds Abijah in Judah

      1So Abijah slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the city of David, and his son Asa became king in his place. The land was undisturbed for ten years during his days.

      2Asa did good and right in the sight of the LORD his God, 3for he removed the foreign altars and high places, tore down the sacred pillars, cut down the Asherim, 4and commanded Judah to seek the LORD God of their fathers and to observe the law and the commandment. 5He also removed the high places and the incense altars from all the cities of Judah. And the kingdom was undisturbed under him. 6He built fortified cities in Judah, since the land was undisturbed, and there was no one at war with him during those years, because the LORD had given him rest. 7For he said to Judah, “Let us build these cities and surround them with walls and towers, gates and bars. The land is still ours because we have sought the LORD our God; we have sought Him, and He has given us rest on every side.” So they built and prospered. 8Now Asa had an army of 300,000 from Judah, bearing large shields and spears, and 280,000 from Benjamin, bearing shields and wielding bows; all of them were valiant warriors.

      9Now Zerah the Ethiopian came out against them with an army of a million men and 300 chariots, and he came to Mareshah. 10So Asa went out to meet him, and they drew up in battle formation in the valley of Zephathah at Mareshah. 11Then Asa called to the LORD his God and said, “LORD, there is no one besides You to help in the battle between the powerful and those who have no strength; so help us, O LORD our God, for we trust in You, and in Your name have come against this multitude. O LORD, You are our God; let not man prevail against You.” 12So the LORD routed the Ethiopians before Asa and before Judah, and the Ethiopians fled. 13Asa and the people who were with him pursued them as far as Gerar; and so many Ethiopians fell that they could not recover, for they were shattered before the LORD and before His army. And they carried away very much plunder. 14They destroyed all the cities around Gerar, for the dread of the LORD had fallen on them; and they despoiled all the cities, for there was much plunder in them. 15They also struck down those who owned livestock, and they carried away large numbers of sheep and camels. Then they returned to Jerusalem.

If we pull apart the events in this chapter of scripture a bit, we can highlight some key principles we should consider personally applying in our own lives.

1- Asa did right in the sight of the LORD before there was a war, before there was a direct challenge in front of him.

Don’t assume taking down the altars and false places of worship was without difficulty. People cling to their family and cultural traditions. There would have been resistance and disruption in this change. Asa did what was right anyway. I can point to some significant disruption in my life just pivoting away from celebrations based on pagan roots like Christmas and Easter to God’s holy days, or Moedim. It stirs up resistance to lead others through this change. It takes courage of conviction to proceed. It is not the easy path.  The easy path is to rationalize that these ungodly things are “ok” or focus on “what they mean to me” instead of what they mean to God. It can be hard to step away from family and cultural traditions in favor of what God wants us to do.

2- Asa was diligent in making preparations for defense before there was a battle. He did not just say, “God will provide”, and then do nothing. He trusted God but also prepared with purpose. He recognized that God was providing Him the peace and He should take advantage of it.

3- Asa called upon the LORD in His time of need, giving glory and honor to God as the one who can deliver them.

4- Asa waged war, even engaging in a conflict which by human eyes he should expect to lose. This action was evidence of his faith. His army fought and God blessed them. They did not all have a picnic and wait for God to disperse the enemy. One example of how we may apply this today could be that we pray against abortion, but we also organize, protest, communicate and engage with others around us, actively engage politicians and challenge them to support our views, vote based on what we say we believe… without rationalizing or compromising. Obviously this can apply to many things. Abortion is just one example today.

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, please help me to trust in You fully, in peace and in conflict. Help give me wisdom for the decision I should make to have success in both peace and conflict. Please raise up the righteous and protect us as Your people. Defeat the wicked. Bring us peace that glorifies Your name. Amen. 

Shalom

Devotion by John in service to Christ

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Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

 

 

 

 

All Powerful / King of All, Faith / Trusting God, Faithful, Learning To Pray Effectively, Obeying God, Protector / Deliverer, Seeking God, Strong in Our Weakness, Submitted / Servant

Do Not Overlook Your Relationship with God in Preparing for Battle

It is good that we prepare for the challenges we expect to face, and also for some surprises we may not anticipate. That said, ultimately our faith and relationship in Yahweh (through Yeshua) is what will be the deciding factor in many situations. We may feel like we face mountains that we can not overcome. However, with Yahweh, all things are possible.  As we read today’s scripture we will see an example of the importance of a righteous and obedient walk with the LORD as part of preparation for calling upon Him in our need. Of course we should not do it just to get his protection… that is selfish. We obey His law and live His way out of love for Him for what He has already done for us (e.g. creation, life, salvation, blessings, etc.)

2 Chronicles 12

Abijah Succeeds Rehoboam

      1In the eighteenth year of King Jeroboam, Abijah became king over Judah. 2He reigned three years in Jerusalem; and his mother’s name was Micaiah the daughter of Uriel of Gibeah.
Now there was war between Abijah and Jeroboam. 3Abijah began the battle with an army of valiant warriors, 400,000 chosen men, while Jeroboam drew up in battle formation against him with 800,000 chosen men who were valiant warriors.

Civil War

      4Then Abijah stood on Mount Zemaraim, which is in the hill country of Ephraim, and said, “Listen to me, Jeroboam and all Israel: 5“Do you not know that the LORD God of Israel gave the rule over Israel forever to David and his sons by a covenant of salt? 6“Yet Jeroboam the son of Nebat, the servant of Solomon the son of David, rose up and rebelled against his master, 7and worthless men gathered about him, scoundrels, who proved too strong for Rehoboam, the son of Solomon, when he was young and timid and could not hold his own against them.

      8“So now you intend to resist the kingdom of the LORD through the sons of David, being a great multitude and having with you the golden calves which Jeroboam made for gods for you. 9“Have you not driven out the priests of the LORD, the sons of Aaron and the Levites, and made for yourselves priests like the peoples of other lands? Whoever comes to consecrate himself with a young bull and seven rams, even he may become a priest of what are no gods. 10“But as for us, the LORD is our God, and we have not forsaken Him; and the sons of Aaron are ministering to the LORD as priests, and the Levites attend to their work. 11“Every morning and evening they burn to the LORD burnt offerings and fragrant incense, and the showbread is set on the clean table, and the golden lampstand with its lamps is ready to light every evening; for we keep the charge of the LORD our God, but you have forsaken Him. 12“Now behold, God is with us at our head and His priests with the signal trumpets to sound the alarm against you. O sons of Israel, do not fight against the LORD God of your fathers, for you will not succeed.”

      13But Jeroboam had set an ambush to come from the rear, so that Israel was in front of Judah and the ambush was behind them. 14When Judah turned around, behold, they were attacked both front and rear; so they cried to the LORD, and the priests blew the trumpets. 15Then the men of Judah raised a war cry, and when the men of Judah raised the war cry, then it was that God routed Jeroboam and all Israel before Abijah and Judah. 16When the sons of Israel fled before Judah, God gave them into their hand. 17Abijah and his people defeated them with a great slaughter, so that 500,000 chosen men of Israel fell slain. 18Thus the sons of Israel were subdued at that time, and the sons of Judah conquered because they trusted in the LORD, the God of their fathers. 19Abijah pursued Jeroboam and captured from him several cities, Bethel with its villages, Jeshanah with its villages and Ephron with its villages.

Death of Jeroboam

      20Jeroboam did not again recover strength in the days of Abijah; and the LORD struck him and he died.

      21But Abijah became powerful; and took fourteen wives to himself, and became the father of twenty-two sons and sixteen daughters. 22Now the rest of the acts of Abijah, and his ways and his words are written in the treatise of the prophet Iddo.

Do not wait until you are desperately needing Him to turn toward Him and build relationship with Him. Do that now and do not stop. Then when you are in difficult situations, you can lean on Him and cry out for His help. Of course, even if you are already in a bad spot, you can still repent and turn toward Him and cry out to Him for mercy and help.

What are some situations you have faced in your life that were very hard? Did you cry out to Yahweh? Did you recognize His answer? Ask Him prayerfully to show you anything in your relationship with Him that you need to change.

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, help me to seek Your face now, even before I face adversity or difficult challenges. Help Your people around the world to live righteously and bring honor and glory to Your name. Thank You for Your help when we face trials from the enemy and from those who are against You. Amen. 

 Shalom

Devotion by John in service to Christ

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Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Jesus (hearing from God), Prophecy, Seeking God, Strong in Our Weakness

The Return of the King

Yeshua teaches us to look forward toward His return and to be prepared. We will not know the time, but we will be able to recognize the season more broadly. We must prepare ourselves as believers, for it is “after that tribulation” that the Son of Man will come in power and glory and send forth the angels to gather His elect.  We must be prepared to endure the tribulation and remain faithful to Yeshua. As a side note, I would also say not to believe anyone who says they know the day when Christ will collect is elect, as that would contrast the word of God.

Mark 13:24-37

The Return of Christ

      24“But in those days, after that tribulation, THE SUN WILL BE DARKENED AND THE MOON WILL NOT GIVE ITS LIGHT, 25AND THE STARS WILL BE FALLING from heaven, and the powers that are in the heavens will be shaken. 26“Then they will see THE SON OF MAN COMING IN CLOUDS with great power and glory. 27“And then He will send forth the angels, and will gather together His elect from the four winds, from the farthest end of the earth to the farthest end of heaven.

      28“Now learn the parable from the fig tree: when its branch has already become tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. 29“Even so, you too, when you see these things happening, recognize that He is near, right at the door. 30“Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. 31“Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away. 32“But of that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.

      33“Take heed, keep on the alert; for you do not know when the appointed time will come. 34“It is like a man away on a journey, who upon leaving his house and putting his slaves in charge, assigning to each one his task, also commanded the doorkeeper to stay on the alert. 35“Therefore, be on the alert—for you do not know when the master of the house is coming, whether in the evening, at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning— 36in case he should come suddenly and find you asleep. 37“What I say to you I say to all, ‘Be on the alert!’”

Do not disregard the warning. Prepare now. Seek Him now. Prepare for the return of the King so that when He comes… you and your family are ready, despite the many challenges and much suffering of the tribulation.

When we prepare for the return of the King, we also find ourselves prepared for properly living our own lives, at the end of which we will all stand in judgment before Jehovah… whether or not Yeshua has yet returned.

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, thank You for Your word which guides me. Please help Your people prepare for the tribulation and for Your return. Let us live at all times as if You are returning. Amen. 

Shalom

Devotion by John in service to Christ

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Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

All Powerful / King of All, Blessed, Faith / Trusting God, Fear / Reverence for God, Protector / Deliverer, Provider, Purposeful / Intentional, Seeking God, Strong in Our Weakness, Submitted / Servant, Worthy of Fear / Reverence

Let Us Neither Seek Nor Define Greatness On Our Own

David served Yahweh and Yahweh established David as king over Israel. David became greater and greater because the LORD was with him.  We should seek a similar approach. Seek first the kingdom of Yahweh. If we are serving Him, then He is more than capable of establishing us and helping us achieve what He calls us to do. We should take caution not to try to do it all on our own, in our own power and control, though clearly action is required on our part.

1 Chronicles 11:1-9

David Made King over All Israel

      1Then all Israel gathered to David at Hebron and said, “Behold, we are your bone and your flesh. 2“In times past, even when Saul was king, you were the one who led out and brought in Israel; and the LORD your God said to you, ‘You shall shepherd My people Israel, and you shall be prince over My people Israel.’” 3So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, and David made a covenant with them in Hebron before the LORD; and they anointed David king over Israel, according to the word of the LORD through Samuel.

Jerusalem, Capital City

      4Then David and all Israel went to Jerusalem (that is, Jebus); and the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land, were there. 5The inhabitants of Jebus said to David, “You shall not enter here.” Nevertheless David captured the stronghold of Zion (that is, the city of David). 6Now David had said, “Whoever strikes down a Jebusite first shall be chief and commander.” Joab the son of Zeruiah went up first, so he became chief. 7Then David dwelt in the stronghold; therefore it was called the city of David. 8He built the city all around, from the Millo even to the surrounding area; and Joab repaired the rest of the city. 9David became greater and greater, for the LORD of hosts was with him.

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, please help me to focus on You first, above all things. Lead me to submit to You and Your will over my own. Help me to seek Your help in whatever I achieve and to seek to achieve whatever You call me to do. Amen. 

Shalom

Devotion by John in service to Christ

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Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

All Powerful / King of All, Blessed, Curse, Faithful, Justice / Judgment, Loving / Kind, Protector / Deliverer, Provider, Strong in Our Weakness, Worthy of Fear / Reverence

Our Relationship With YHWH Should Be a Clear Focal Point in Our Lives

We don’t need to be familiar with the concept of the birthright of the firstborn in order to understand from Biblical history that those who live in opposition to the LORD can lose what would otherwise be rightfully theirs. We need not understand all the battles and locations in 1 Chronicles 5 to understand that the LORD may bring victory to those who trust in Him. Likewise, we can learn from the historical record that those who act treacherously against YHWH and pursue other gods may bring about His wrath, and it may have lasting implications for generations and across a nation. It is not just an impact on a single person who has sinned.

1 Chronicles 5

Genealogy from Reuben

      1Now the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel (for he was the firstborn, but because he defiled his father’s bed, his birthright was given to the sons of Joseph the son of Israel; so that he is not enrolled in the genealogy according to the birthright. 2Though Judah prevailed over his brothers, and from him came the leader, yet the birthright belonged to Joseph), 3the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel were Hanoch and Pallu, Hezron and Carmi. 4The sons of Joel were Shemaiah his son, Gog his son, Shimei his son, 5Micah his son, Reaiah his son, Baal his son, 6Beerah his son, whom Tilgath-pilneser king of Assyria carried away into exile; he was leader of the Reubenites. 7His kinsmen by their families, in the genealogy of their generations, were Jeiel the chief, then Zechariah 8and Bela the son of Azaz, the son of Shema, the son of Joel, who lived in Aroer, even to Nebo and Baal-meon. 9To the east he settled as far as the entrance of the wilderness from the river Euphrates, because their cattle had increased in the land of Gilead. 10In the days of Saul they made war with the Hagrites, who fell by their hand, so that they occupied their tents throughout all the land east of Gilead.

      11Now the sons of Gad lived opposite them in the land of Bashan as far as Salecah. 12Joel was the chief and Shapham the second, then Janai and Shaphat in Bashan. 13Their kinsmen of their fathers’ households were Michael, Meshullam, Sheba, Jorai, Jacan, Zia and Eber, seven. 14These were the sons of Abihail, the son of Huri, the son of Jaroah, the son of Gilead, the son of Michael, the son of Jeshishai, the son of Jahdo, the son of Buz; 15Ahi the son of Abdiel, the son of Guni, was head of their fathers’ households. 16They lived in Gilead, in Bashan and in its towns, and in all the pasture lands of Sharon, as far as their borders. 17All of these were enrolled in the genealogies in the days of Jotham king of Judah and in the days of Jeroboam king of Israel.

      18The sons of Reuben and the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh, consisting of valiant men, men who bore shield and sword and shot with bow and were skillful in battle, were 44,760, who went to war. 19They made war against the Hagrites, Jetur, Naphish and Nodab. 20They were helped against them, and the Hagrites and all who were with them were given into their hand; for they cried out to God in the battle, and He answered their prayers because they trusted in Him. 21They took away their cattle: their 50,000 camels, 250,000 sheep, 2,000 donkeys; and 100,000 men. 22For many fell slain, because the war was of God. And they settled in their place until the exile.

      23Now the sons of the half-tribe of Manasseh lived in the land; from Bashan to Baal-hermon and Senir and Mount Hermon they were numerous. 24These were the heads of their fathers’ households, even Epher, Ishi, Eliel, Azriel, Jeremiah, Hodaviah and Jahdiel, mighty men of valor, famous men, heads of their fathers’ households.

      25But they acted treacherously against the God of their fathers and played the harlot after the gods of the peoples of the land, whom God had destroyed before them. 26So the God of Israel stirred up the spirit of Pul, king of Assyria, even the spirit of Tilgath-pilneser king of Assyria, and he carried them away into exile, namely the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh, and brought them to Halah, Habor, Hara and to the river of Gozan, to this day.

Think about how your actions may affect how God blesses you, your family, your nation because of your righteousness. Reflect also on how your unrighteousness may impact the same in a very bad way by bringing about YHWH’s wrath and punishment. Truly our relationship with our Creator should be the most central and important things we spend time on to try to get that right. Let us seek Him in study of the Bible, worship, prayer, and rejoicing. Let us bring thanks before Him and take quiet time to listen to what He may wish to tell us. Let us honor Him in how we live.

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, please draw me in to right relationship with You. Help me to focus on You first, above all else. Let me not be distracted by the earthly things around me. Please bring Your blessings upon me, my family, and my nation so that Your name would be glorified. Amen. 

Shalom

Devotion by John in service to Christ

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Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Discerning / Judging, False Prophets / Teachers, Holy Spirit / Ruach HaKodesh, Learning To Pray Effectively, Strong in Our Weakness, Submitted / Servant

Should We Acknowledge We May Not Get What We Ask in Prayer?

I have heard quite a few “faith” preachers teach that it is wrong when we pray to say, “your will be done”, because it implies we don’t believe He will do as we ask. They teach that it is double minded to ask for something and then acknowledge that Yahweh may not give it to us.  They set people up to claim and believe in whatever they want from Yahweh, then if He does not give it to them, it is blamed on not having enough faith.  This is quite simple for us to test in scripture. Let us look at how Yeshua prayed. He is ultimately our perfect example.

Matthew 26:36-46

The Garden of Gethsemane

      36Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to His disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” 37And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be grieved and distressed. 38Then He said to them, “My soul is deeply grieved, to the point of death; remain here and keep watch with Me.”

      39And He went a little beyond them, and fell on His face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will.” 40And He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “So, you men could not keep watch with Me for one hour? 41“Keep watching and praying that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

      42He went away again a second time and prayed, saying, “My Father, if this cannot pass away unless I drink it, Your will be done.” 43Again He came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. 44And He left them again, and went away and prayed a third time, saying the same thing once more. 45Then He came to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Behold, the hour is at hand and the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46“Get up, let us be going; behold, the one who betrays Me is at hand!”

If Yeshua prays, “not as I will, but as You will”, then so will I! It is not double minded or weak in faith to submit to Yahweh and trust in Him even when He decides something other than what we think is best or what we want.

As a secondary theme, we can also reflect on how Yeshua’s disciples did when He asked them to pray with Him in a very difficult hour? The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. They fell short of the support He wanted. Before we start criticizing them, however, let’s not assume somehow we would be perfect in that situation. I think it is fairly common that we say we will pray with or for someone when they are going through something difficult and even life changing. Then we consider it job well done if we spent a few minutes each day mentioning their need in prayer. I am speaking to myself in this to be sure. I am not sure how I can overcome and do much better on my own, but I can certainly ask the Spirit to help me do better!

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, please help us to have discernment to test what others teach in Your name against Your holy, written word. Help us to have a passion to be in the word daily and in prayer before You daily. Lead Your people in encouraging and supporting one another and also give us wisdom in how to humble ourselves when we pray, submitting always to Your will. Amen. 

Shalom

Devotion by John in service to Christ

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Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

All Powerful / King of All, Blessed, Faith / Trusting God, Faithful, Humility, Is the Old Testament Relevant Today?, Obeying God, Protector / Deliverer, Seeking God, Strong in Our Weakness, Submitted / Servant

Rely on Yahweh Rather than Your Own Power

In the first 13 verses of 2 Kings, we discover that Hezekiah was a righteous king. He did right in the eyes of the LORD. He tore down false idols and long held traditions that were not in keeping with the LORD’s instructions. He walked in the ways of his father David. He trusted in the LORD. The LORD gave him success as a result. Wherever he went the LORD gave him victory. Imagine his surprise when he encountered very real and significant setbacks and defeat at the hands of Assyria when he rebelled against them.

Of course, we can note that there is no reference that the LORD told Hezekiah to revolt against Assyria. Nor is there any reference as we read through 2 kings 18 that Hezekiah called upon the LORD for help against the Assyrians. We could speculate that he likely did because he was a righteous man in all he did, but we must also recognize that he may not have.

In either case, he faces defeat by Assyria. He plunders his own treasury to try to appease them and ultimately they still come to lay siege on Jerusalem. It is ultimately in 2 Kings 19, at a point of absolute desperation, that Hezekiah is noted as seeking the LORD and the LORD responds by granting victory.

As we continue in 2 Kings below, Hezekiah

2 Kings 18:13-37

Invasion of Judah

13Now in the fourteenth year of King Hezekiah, Sennacherib king of Assyria marched against all the fortified cities of Judah and seized them. 14Then Hezekiah king of Judah sent messengers to the king of Assyria at Lachish, saying, “I have done wrong.  Withdraw from me; whatever you impose on me I will endure.” So the king of Assyria imposed on Hezekiah king of Judah the payment of three hundred talents of silver and thirty talents of gold. 15Hezekiah then gave him all the silver that was found in the house of the LORD, and in the treasuries of the king’s house. 16At that time Hezekiah cut off the gold from the doors of the temple of the LORD, and from the doorposts, which Hezekiah king of Judah had overlaid, and he gave it to the king of Assyria.

17Then the king of Assyria sent Tartan, Rab-saris, and Rabshakeh from Lachish to King Hezekiah with a large army to Jerusalem. So they went up and came to Jerusalem. And when they went up, they came and stood by the conduit of the upper pool, which is on the road of the fuller’s field. 18Then they called to the king, and Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, who was in charge of the household, Shebnah the scribe, and Joah the son of Asaph the secretary, went out to them.

19And Rabshakeh said to them, “Say now to Hezekiah, ‘This is what the great king, the king of Assyria says: “What is this confidence that you have? 20You say—but they are only empty words—‘I have a plan and strength for the war.’ Now on whom have you relied, that you have revolted against me? 21Now behold, you have relied on the support of this broken reed, on Egypt; on which if a man leans, it will go into his hand and pierce it. That is how Pharaoh king of Egypt is to all who rely on him. 22However, if you say to me, ‘We have trusted in the LORD our God,’ is it not He whose high places and whose altars Hezekiah has removed, and has said to Judah and to Jerusalem, ‘You shall worship before this altar in Jerusalem’? 23Now then, come make a wager with my master the king of Assyria: I will give you two thousand horses, if you are able on your part to put riders on them! 24How then can you drive back even one official of the least of my master’s servants, and rely on Egypt for chariots and horsemen? 25Have I now come up without the LORD’S approval against this place to destroy it? The LORD said to me, ‘Go up against this land and destroy it.’”’”

26Then Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, Shebnah, and Joah, said to Rabshakeh, “Speak now to your servants in Aramaic, because we understand it; and do not speak with us in Judean so that the people who are on the wall hear you.” 27But Rabshakeh said to them, “Has my master sent me only to your master and to you to speak these words? Has he not also sent me to the men who sit on the wall, doomed to eat their own dung and drink their own urine with you?”

28Then Rabshakeh stood up and shouted with a loud voice in Judean, saying, “Hear the word of the great king, the king of Assyria! 29This is what the king says: ‘Do not let Hezekiah deceive you, for he will not be able to save you from my hand. 30And do not let Hezekiah lead you to trust in the LORD by saying, “The LORD will certainly save us, and this city will not be handed over to the king of Assyria.” 31Do not listen to Hezekiah, for this is what the king of Assyria says: “Make your peace with me and come out to me, and eat, each one, from his vine and each from his fig tree, and drink, each one, the waters of his own cistern, 32until I come and take you to a land like your own land, a land of grain and new wine, a land of bread and vineyards, a land of olive trees producing oil, and of honey, so that you will live and not die.” But do not listen to Hezekiah, because he misleads you by saying, “The LORD will save us.” 33Has any of the gods of the nations actually saved his land from the hand of the king of Assyria? 34Where are the gods of Hamath and Arpad? Where are the gods of Sepharvaim, Hena, and Ivvah? Have they saved Samaria from my hand? 35Who among all the gods of the lands are there who have saved their land from my hand, that the LORD would save Jerusalem from my hand?’”

36But the people were silent and did not answer him with even a word, because it was the king’s command: “Do not answer him.” 37Then Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, who was in charge of the household, and Shebna the scribe and Joah the son of Asaph, the secretary, came to Hezekiah with their clothes torn, and they reported to him the words of Rabshakeh.

As I reflect on 2 Kings 18 and 19, I see a message for all of us. It is good for us to walk in the ways of the LORD and reject all others. It is good for us in building relationship with our God and also in inviting His blessing upon us according to His covenant with His people. Even so, we will encounter major challenges and setbacks at times. Yeshua Himself says in Matthew 7:25 that storms will come against us. It is imperative for us to build our foundation on solid relationship and submission to our Father.

24“Therefore, everyone who hears these words of Mine, and [t]acts on them, will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25And the rain fell and the [u]floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock. 26And everyone who hears these words of Mine, and does not [v]act on them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27And the rain fell and the [w]floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and it fell—and its collapse was great.”

When the storms came for Hezekiah, it appears he got focused on how to solve the problem in his own power, likely hoping the LORD would deliver victory. When we see he had success is when he came desperately before the LORD, recognizing his own inability to address the situation and asking the LORD to fight for him.

I suppose it is also fair to note that the king of Assyria did himself no favors by blaspheming Yahweh. We should make personal note of that also.

In both cases, remember that no matter how powerful or weak we may be in our own strength, it is ultimately the LORD who brings victory.

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, please help me (and all your people) to be humble and submitted to you in all our ways. Show us error and lead us in courage and wisdom to turn from it. Help us build our foundation on the solid rock of your word. Help us to seek and rely on you when we face trials and challenges and defeat. Let us not rely on our own power. Thank you LORD for your hand of blessing for those who submit and obey and walk in your ways. You are King of Kings and Lord of Lords. You alone are God. There are none like you!

Shalom

Devotion by John in service to Christ

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Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.