Walking With God

Day 125

Reading: 2 Chronicles 17:1 - 2 Chronicles 19:11

From conception, we grow to become adults. Many times we children of God don't understand that this principle of growth applies to all areas of life. King Jehoshaphat had an understanding of walking deeply with God. He understood that a shallow walk with God leads to shallow understanding. There is a blessing when you walk deeply with God.

King Jehoshaphat walked in the commandments of God and loved God. The Word declares that God was with him because of his walking in the ways of God. This King enjoyed unprecedented favour with God as the kingdom was established in his hand. He enjoyed a reign that was initially free of war giving him time to fortify the cities of Judah. He became powerful overtime and made the cities stronger.

Even the people serving the king were given to God. One such person is Amasiah whom we are told willingly offered himself to the Lord. This gentleman was a general yet he offered himself to the Lord. This challenged me to offer myself to God. Not because of the circumstances I face but as a willing sacrifice to God Almighty.

When a leader fears God and walks in His ways God brings unusual miracles to them. This king saw nations bring goods to him. Not because he went to war and prevailed over them but because God placed the fear of the Lord on all nations around Judah. A leader who loves God will enjoy a reign that is full of peace. The Philistines were enemies of the children of God yet they brought gifts to King Jehoshaphat. This King must have had a close walk with God that his enemies bowed to him effortlessly.

One reason I love reading the Bible is that there are lessons to learn daily. King Jehoshaphat allied with King Ahab by reason of marriage. As a leader be careful who you align yourself with. Ahab soon suggests that they go to battle against the Philistines. I wonder if Ahab was thinking that if I go with Jehoshaphat I will win. This man's kingdom is at rest because God is with him. Don't forget this is King Ahab whom Elijah had prophesied to and rebuked because of his idol worship.

Before the battle, King Jehoshaphat asks for prophets to speak the mind of God. When a number of prophets prophesy King Jehosphaphat could tell that this was not the mind of God. His walk with God gave him discernment to understand that these so-called prophets were not genuine. Today the believer needs to walk with God to understand the need to discern the false from the real. 

What shocks me about King Jehoshaphat is that he goes into the battle having heard that Ahab would die in the battle. He put himself in the way of harm like many believers today who read the expectations of the Word of God and still place themselves in the way of harm by not walking right or even stopping and praying. 

King Jehoshaphat is almost killed in the battle and cries to God when he is being pursued by the enemy. God averts the situation and the king is delivered, however, his walking with Ahab brings judgement to him and soon the wrath of God would manifest. King Jehosphat loved God and even after hearing the prophetic word sets up judges for the cities of Judah who are charged to make decisions in accordance to the statutes of God and to walk in the fear of God. May our hearts take delight in the ways of God. 

Memory Verse: 2 Chronicles 17:10

Decree

2 Chronicles 18:13b “As the Lord lives, whatever my God says, that I will speak.”(italics mine)