Month: August 2023

²⁰ Early in the morning they left for the Desert of Tekoa. As they set out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, ‘Listen to me, Judah and people of Jerusalem! HAVE FAITH IN THE LORD YOUR GOD AND YOU WILL BE UPHELD/ESTABLISHED; HAVE FAITH IN HIS PROPHETS AND YOU WILL BE SUCCESSFUL/PROSPEROUS.’ 2 Chronicles 20

Jehoshaphat and Judah were now under serious threat from a vast army of several nations approaching from the south. The threat was already close at hand, so they had little chance to prepare.

³ Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to enquire of the Lord, and HE PROCLAIMED A FAST FOR ALL JUDAH. ⁴ The people of Judah came together to seek help from the Lord; indeed, THEY CAME FROM EVERY TOWN IN JUDAH TO SEEK HIM. 

Jehoshaphat and the WHOLE NATION turned to seek God in fasting, it was a national emergency.

The people of the United Kingdom also turned to God for their stranded troops during World War 2 and witnessed the first of a number of miraculous deliverances during the war.

(So bad was it that King George 6th called a National Day of Prayer on May 24th 1940 when our troops were marooned at Dunkirk. THE VERY LONG QUEUE AT Westminster Abbey was replicated in every church, chapel and synagogue in the land. MILLIONS WENT TO PRAY.

On June 9th there was a Day of Thanksgiving. The second day of National Prayer was on August 11th 1940 when the Battle of Britain began. The skies over Hertford were covered with little Spitfires and Hurricanes flying to the south coast.

There were further calls for Prayer in 1941. And two more in September 1942. The final call was in the spring of 1944 immediately before the D Day landing when again the rough sea became calm. The war in Europe began to end.

Seven times -the number of spiritual perfection- the King and Parliament called the whole nation to prayer and seven times the nation turned out and filled the churches including many who had never been in a church. The Vicar of All Saints at that time told us that only our Monarch could call the nation to prayer.

Each time God answered by a miracle of deliverance. It is no less important now that we must concentrate on prayer for our nation and our world.
Psalm 33:12. Ephesians 6:12

Post by Anne-Marie Parker, Picture of LONG QUEUES TO PRAY https://allsaintshertford.org/2017/nov17np.pdf)

God spoke to the people of Judah through Jahaziel, a Levite, one of the assembly;

¹⁵ He said: ‘Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the Lord says to you: “Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s. ¹⁶ Tomorrow march down against them.

Judah still had to go onto the battlefield, but once they began to sing and praise God, their enemies fell.

JEHOSHAPHAT MOVED THE BATTLE AGAINST THE ENEMY, FROM THE EARTH REALM TO THE HEAVENLY SPHERE AND THAT’S WHERE OUR VICTORY ALSO LIES.

God bless and keep you victorious in your battles today.

³ There is, however, some good in you, for you have rid the land of the Asherah poles (Public) and have set your heart (Personal) on seeking God.’ 2 Chronicles 19

We saw yesterday that King Jehoshaphat made an unrighteous alliance with Ahab, King of Israel, which nearly cost him his life in battle at Ramoth Gilead. The Lord ended the alliance by the death of Ahab, as Micaiah, the only remaining prophet of Lord in Samaria had declared. Believers love for the Lord must always come before our relationships with others, especially those who have no love for Him.

When King Jehoshaphat came to power he promptly actioned two important initiatives.

17 Jehoshaphat his son succeeded him as king and strengthened himself against Israel. ² He stationed troops in all the fortified cities of Judah and put garrisons in Judah and in the towns of Ephraim that his father Asa had captured. 2 Chronicles 17

Are there things on a practical level which we should be doing in our own lives? The Bible first records the steps Jehoshaphat took to defend the land and people. Perhaps the Lord wants us to attend to something in our homes urgently. (Ironically Anne’s granddaughter is here and has been promised a reward for scoring 65 in her next term exams – she said her mobile phone needs putting away. A practical response to earn the bonus.)

⁷ In the third year of his reign he sent his officials … to teach in the towns of Judah. ⁸ With them were certain Levites – and the priests Elishama and Jehoram. ⁹ They taught throughout Judah, taking with them the Book of the Law of the Lord; they went round to all the towns of Judah and taught the people. 2 Chronicles 17

Jehoshaphat wanted his people to know God’s Truth and the right way to worship Him, so he sent the Levites and two priests out to the people. They taught them in their own communities. The Law of God became more accessible to them.

⁴ Jehoshaphat lived in Jerusalem, and HE WENT OUT AGAIN (WASN’T THE FIRST TIME) among the people from Beersheba to the hill country of Ephraim and TURNED THEM BACK TO THE LORD, THE GOD OF THEIR ANCESTORS. ⁵ HE APPOINTED JUDGES IN THE LAND, in each of the fortified cities of Judah. 2 Chronicles 19

He wanted Justice and God’s Truth to be the Rule in Judah among the people.

⁶ He told them, ‘Consider carefully what you do, because YOU ARE NOT JUDGING FOR MEN BUT FOR THE LORD, who is with you whenever you give a verdict. ⁷ NOW LET THE FEAR OF THE LORD BE ON YOU. Judge carefully, for with the Lord our God there is no injustice or partiality or bribery.’

¹¹ ‘Act with courage, and may the Lord be with those who do well.’

Jehoshaphat was a King who thought about the well-being of the people he ruled over and led the way to promote and establish the Name of the Lord among them. Are there things we can do today to promote God’s Name and strengthen people we know? I’m sure there are some things we can do to honour His Name. Jehoshaphat strengthened both the physical and spiritual in the land of Judah – he was a great ruler for his kingdom.

May God bless and keep you today.

³ The Lord was with Jehoshaphat because he followed the ways of his father David before him. He did not consult the Baals ⁴ but sought the God of his father and followed his commands RATHER THAN THE PRACTICES OF ISRAEL. ⁵ The Lord established the kingdom under his control; and all Judah brought gifts to Jehoshaphat, so that he had great wealth and honour. 2 Chronicles 17

The introduction of Jehoshaphat in 2 Chronicles  17 is one of the absolute Favour of God, very few Kings received such a measure of blessing. One of the reasons given for such abundance is recorded in verse 4, ‘he didn’t follow the practices of his brothers in Israel, Baal worship’.

The next chapter, 2 Chronicles 18, is longer and begins with an important statement;

18 Now Jehoshaphat had great wealth and honour, AND HE ALLIED HIMSELF WITH AHAB (King of Israel) by marriage.

Such alliances were common in history when the ruling houses would intermarry and make treaties with one another, to prevent wars. However, the Bible narrative concerning this alliance is longer and has more to say than God’s blessings on Jehoshaphat.

Jehoshaphat went to visit Ahab in Samaria and a feast was held in his honour, a change from being at war with their brothers. Ahab asked that Judah go to war with him against Ramoth Gilead and Jehoshaphat agreed, but demanded that they, ‘First seek the counsel of the Lord’. This led to a confrontation of the 400 prophets of Baal and the only remaining prophet of the Lord, Micaiah.

The prophets of Baal unanimously advocated going to war and Micaiah initially agreed, to prevent trouble. Ahab demanded that he be truthful and so the veil is pulled back and a short account of God’s throne in heaven is revealed. God had decreed death for King Ahab at Ramoth Gilead and He asked for suggestions to entice him into battle.

‘One suggested this, and another that. ²⁰ Finally, a spirit came forward, stood before the Lord and said, “I will entice him.”

‘“By what means?” the Lord asked.

²¹ ‘“I will go and be a lying spirit in the mouths of all his prophets,” he said.

‘“You will succeed in enticing him,” said the Lord. “Go and do it.” 

Micaiah’s revelation of this enraged Zedekiah, a prophet of Baal and he insulted and slapped Micaiah before the two kings. Micaiah didn’t back down but spoke an instant judgement upon the prophet. WE MUST BE VERY CAREFUL NEVER TO JUDGE SOMEONE WHO IS SPEAKING FOR THE LORD, NO MATTER HOW STRANGE THEY SEEM. ALWAYS KEEP OUR HEARTS RIGHT!

Micaiah was thrown into jail, on bread and water, but as he said, Ahab never returned alive to Samaria, he was killed in battle. Jehoshaphat could also have lost his life, but the Lord rescued him.

So they turned to attack him, but Jehoshaphat cried out, and the Lord helped him. God drew them away from him (2 Chron. 18:31)

The Lord broke the unhealthy alliance by the death of Ahab.

When Jehoshaphat returned to Jerusalem he was met by Hanani the seer who rebuked him with a message from the Lord.

² Jehu the seer, the son of Hanani, went out to meet him and said to the king, ‘Should you help the wicked and love (make alliances with) those who hate the Lord? Because of this, the wrath of the Lord is on you. 2 Chronicles 19

Jehoshaphat was a good King but he could have lost his life through partnering with someone from a different spiritual camp. God rescued him but was not pleased that he’d made an ally of somebody who despised the God who’d blessed him so greatly. GOD’S CHILDREN MUST BEWARE WHO WE COME INTO AGREEMENT WITH IN THESE DAYS!

God bless and keep you today.

⁶ His heart (Jehoshaphat) was devoted to the ways of the Lord; furthermore, he removed the high places and the Asherah poles from Judah. 2 Chronicles 17

God’s Word describes the posture of the King’s heart, his personal stance towards God, but also the clearing of idolatry from the land. He sought to rid the land of all connections with false worship and Jehu the seer later acknowledged this.

³ There is, however, some good in you, for you have rid the land of the Asherah poles and have set your heart on seeking God.’ 2 Chronicles 19

Jehoshaphat not only rid the land of false idols, but set about the reintroduction of the worship of the Lord in Judah. It’s often not enough to stop ‘wrong practices’, we need to substitute a better alternative so they don’t take hold again.

⁷ In the third year of his reign he sent his officials Ben-Hail, Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethanel and Micaiah to teach in the towns of Judah. ⁹ They taught throughout Judah, taking with them the Book of the Law of the Lord; they went round to all the towns of Judah and taught the people. 2 Chronicles 17

So Jehoshaphat taught his people the worship of the Lord and blessings soon came to the King and the nation.

⁵ The Lord established the kingdom under his control; and all Judah brought gifts to Jehoshaphat, so that he had great wealth and honour. 2 Chronicles 17

His rule as King was established by God Himself and the people gave him gifts, so that he had both wealth and honour.

¹⁰ The fear of the Lord fell on all the kingdoms of the lands surrounding Judah, so that they did not go to war against Jehoshaphat.

No matter how difficult things seem to be, hold on to your Faith, God will come through for His people, just as He did for Jehoshaphat and Judah.

¹³ Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. ¹⁴ Do everything in love. 1 Corinthians 16

May God bless and keep you today.

⁹ For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, TO SHOW HIMSELF STRONG ON BEHALF OF THOSE WHOSE HEART IS LOYAL TO HIM. In this you have done foolishly; therefore from now on you shall have wars.” 2 Chronicles 16 NKJV

^{9 “}God is always on the alert, constantly on the lookout for people who are totally committed to him. YOU WERE FOOLISH TO GO FOR HUMAN HELP WHEN YOU COULD HAVE HAD GOD’S HELP. Now you’re in trouble—one round of war after another.”

¹⁰ At that, Asa lost his temper. Angry, he put Hanani (the seer) in the stocks. At the same time Asa started abusing some of the people. 2 Chronicles 16 The Message MSG

Asa’s rule began well but towards the end of his reign his heart turned away from the Lord, resulting in a painful disease from which he eventually died. I have known and been blessed by verse 9 for a long time; God is looking for a people He can bless! Turning to ‘human help’, something we know and understand can lead to more problems. This systems of this world have been developed to enslave and control people. We all know the saying that Believers are, ‘in the world but not of it’ and this scripture encourages us to put our trust in the Lord.

¹³ So Gad went to David and said to him, ‘Shall there come on you three years of famine in your land? Or three months of fleeing from your enemies while they pursue you? Or three days of plague in your land? Now then, think it over and decide how I should answer the one who sent me.’

¹⁴ David said to Gad, ‘I AM IN DEEP DISTRESS. Let us fall into the hands of the Lord, FOR HIS MERCY IS GREAT; BUT DO NOT LET ME FALL INTO THE HANDS OF MEN.’ 2 Samuel 24

What a decision David had to make and all because of something he’d done. (21 Satan rose up against Israel and INCITED David to take a census of Israel. 1 Chronicles 21:1 At times Satan will try and push us into taking certain decisions/actions, BEWARE DOING ANYTHING THAT CAUSES YOU TO LOSE YOUR PEACE!)

The main lesson here was David’s reasoning, he knew GOD WAS MERCIFUL AND COMPASSIONATE, BUT MAN WAS NOT. THERE IS LITTLE MERCY OR COMPASSION IN THIS WORLD AND THAT’S WHY WE SHOULD BE CAREFUL AS BELIEVERS NOT TO LOOK TO THIS WORLD BEFORE SEEKING GOD.

²⁷ ‘So they will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.’ Numbers 6

May the Lord bless and keep us in times of distress to know His help and strengthening in our lives.

⁷ BUT AS FOR YOU, BE STRONG AND DO NOT GIVE UP, FOR YOUR WORK WILL BE REWARDED.’ 2 Chronicles 15

We’ve already read verse 15 this week, the final line of Azariah’s prophecy to King Asa after the victory in battle. Asa was given a promise from the Lord, but he was told, ‘Be Strong and Do Not Give Up’. He had to play his part, but God gave him His promise of blessing.

¹⁶ This is what the Lord says:

¹¹ Then Asa called to the Lord his God and said, “LORD, THERE IS NO ONE LIKE YOU TO HELP THE POWERLESS AGAINST THE MIGHTY. HELP US, O LORD OUR GOD, FOR WE RELY ON YOU, and in your name we have come against this vast army. LORD, YOU ARE OUR GOD; DO NOT LET MAN PREVAIL AGAINST YOU.” 2 Chronicles 14

This is the prayer of King Asa, before Judah went into battle with the vast army of Zerah the Cushite. It’s a short prayer and is recorded for us TO READ AND PRAY OURSELVES TODAY. We looked at this yesterday but some may need help for their own situations and I believe this prayer is inspired by the Holy Spirit. It’s certainly an earnest prayer from the leader of God’s people in time of trouble and great danger.

¹² The Lord struck down the Cushites before Asa and Judah. The Cushites fled, ¹³ and Asa and his army pursued them as far as Gerar. SUCH A GREAT NUMBER OF THE CUSHITES FELL THAT THEY COULD NOT RECOVER; THEY WERE CRUSHED BEFORE THE LORD AND HIS FORCES. The men of Judah carried off a large amount of plunder.

God intervened and turned the whole situation around. The enemy’s losses were so great that they couldn’t rise to attack again, the Lord inflicted total defeat.

When Israel crossed the Jordan to take the INHERITANCE GOD HAD GIVEN THEM IN THE LAND OF CANAAN (God has an inheritance for all of us His people!) they fought individual kings. Then 5 kings of the Amorites banded together to attack them. Joshua 10:5 The enemy ‘raised the stakes or upped the ante’, but God provided Divine help from heaven and the enemy was vanquished. Then all the northern kings banded together to fight against God’s people.

⁴ They came out with all their troops and a large number of horses and chariots—a huge army, as numerous as the sand on the seashore. ⁵ All these kings joined forces and made camp together Joshua 11

God told Israel not to be afraid and the whole vast army of the northern confederation was defeated. The size of the enemy is irrelevant when the Lord is on the battlefield with His people. The harder the enemy pushes the greater his losses and this is still true today.

The battle with the Cushite army ended with Judah becoming greatly enriched on the spoils of their enemies.

¹³ The men of Judah carried off a LARGE AMOUNT of plunder.

¹⁴ They destroyed all the villages around Gerar, for the terror of the Lord had fallen on them. They looted all these villages, since there was MUCH PLUNDER there. ¹⁵ They also attacked the camps of the herdsmen and carried off droves of sheep and goats and camels. Then they returned to Jerusalem.

Judah were victorious and greatly increased in wealth and property after God enabled them to resist their enemies.

IMMANUEL, GOD IS WITH US TODAY.

⁷ But as for you, be strong and do not give up, FOR YOUR WORK WILL BE REWARDED.’

⁷ “But it’s different with you: Be strong. Take heart. PAYDAY IS COMING!” 2 Chronicles 15 The Message MSG

⁶ There were external wars and internal fighting of city against city, for God was plaguing them with all sorts of trouble. ⁷ But you men of Judah, keep up the good work and don’t get discouraged, for you will be rewarded.” 2 Chronicles 15 TLB

Another day, another King, another battle and God’s message, ‘DON’T GET DISCOURAGED (one of those ‘dis’ words, don’t entertain them!), FOR YOU WILL BE REWARDED’.

Johnny Enlow believed the Lord spoke to him about the ‘Adverse Times’ we’re living in and have already lived through for the past three years. The Lord told him that Champions were being produced now for the Kingdom of God. Special Forces soldiers ARE TRAINED to endure very harsh conditions and they often feel unable to continue, but something kicks in when they refuse to give up. That’s what the prophet Azariah said to King Asa as he returned from victory in battle.

² Asa did what was good and right in the eyes of the Lord his God. ³ He removed the foreign altars and the high places, smashed the sacred stones and cut down the Asherah poles. ⁴ He commanded Judah to seek the Lord, the God of their ancestors, and to obey his laws and commands. 

Asa did what was right in the Lord’s sight. He also prepared to defend Judah from attack by building up its defences. HE PLAYED HIS PART AND TRUSTED GOD FOR HIS HELP. WHEN THE TIME CAME!

Then a great army led by Zerah the Cushite came to attack Judah.

¹¹ Then Asa called to the Lord his God and said, ‘Lord, there is no one like you to help the powerless against the mighty. Help us, Lord our God, for we rely on you, and in your name we have come against this vast army. Lord, you are our God; do not let man PREVAIL AGAINST YOU.’

Asa didn’t say, ‘Do not let man prevail against US, but do not let man prevail against YOU, GOD’. He made this battle the Lord’s and God gave them a mighty victory, once again over a more powerful enemy. Once again quoting Amanda Grace, ‘Involve the Lord as soon as possible’, in your personal struggles.

15 The Spirit of God came on Azariah son of Oded. ² He went out to meet Asa and said to him, ‘Listen to me, Asa and all Judah and Benjamin. THE LORD IS WITH YOU WHEN YOU ARE WITH HIM. If you seek him, he will be found by you, …  ⁷ But as for you, be strong and DO NOT GIVE UP, FOR YOUR WORK WILL BE REWARDED.’ 2 Chronicles 15

IMMANUEL, GOD IS WITH US TODAY!

¹⁸ Thus the Israelites were brought low at that time, and the people of JUDAH PREVAILED BECAUSE THEY RELIED UPON THE LORD, THE GOD OF THEIR FATHERS  God. 2 Chronicles 13

Judah and Israel were constantly being attacked by enemies, but even worse, on this occasion they were fighting one another. The Body of Believers can often turn upon one another in times of difficulty. This is the worst possible outcome for believers, to turn upon a brother or sister and treat them as an enemy!

13 In the eighteenth year of the reign of Jeroboam, Abijah (means ‘God is my Father’, a Revelation!) became king of Judah, ² and he reigned in Jerusalem for three years.

Jeroboam became king of Israel, ten tribes, after Solomon died. He led all Israel into idolatry, by setting up two golden calves for the people to worship, instead of going up to Jerusalem. He was a bad king and left a terrible legacy for Israel.

There was war between Abijah and Jeroboam. ³ Abijah went into battle with an army of four hundred thousand able fighting men, and Jeroboam drew up a battle line against him with eight hundred thousand able troops. (Judah was outnumbered 2:1)

⁸ ‘And now you plan to resist the kingdom of the Lord, which is in the hands of David’s descendants. You are indeed a vast army and have with you the golden calves that Jeroboam made to be your gods.

Abijah whose very name was synonymous with, ‘God His Father’, took his stand under the one true God of his father David.

¹⁰ ‘As for us, the Lord is our God, and we have not forsaken him. The priests who serve the Lord are sons of Aaron, and the Levites assist them. ¹¹ Every MORNING and EVENING they present burnt offerings and FRAGRANT INCENSE to the Lord. (Are there set times every day when we come before the Lord? Israel did and we have a better Covenant than them.)

Abijah goes on to warn Jeroboam not to fight against Judah because GOD WAS WITH THEM and they wouldn’t succeed. However Jeroboam tried to ambush Judah from the rear, but even though they were outnumbered and outmanoeuvred Judah still defeated Israel, inflicting 500,000 casualties.

¹⁸ The Israelites were subdued on that occasion, and the people of JUDAH WERE VICTORIOUS BECAUSE THEY RELIED ON THE LORD, the God of their ancestors.

This was a battle that should never have been fought, BETWEEN BROTHERS, but the larger had turned away from the God of their fathers to worshipping calf idols. God was with the smaller and gave them victory.

‘I’m a thousand times bigger on the inside than I am on the outside.’ Smith Wigglesworth

¹⁶ ‘Don’t be afraid,’ Elisha answered. ‘Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.’ 2 Kings 6

Elisha prayed that his servant’s eyes would be opened to see the angel armies around them. We aren’t alone, though circumstances may appear overwhelming, God is with us!

God bless and keep you today.

²⁸ ‘Please forgive your servant’s offence, for the Lord will certainly make A LASTING DYNASTY FOR MY MASTER, BECAUSE HE FIGHTS THE LORD’S BATTLES. Let no wrongdoing be found in you as long as you live. 1 Samuel 25

Vision is restricted in the Ravine, steep walls hemming us in on every side, but Ironically the Ravine may well be a place where the Future is determined! (See previous 2 Blogs on this Ravine)

ABIGAIL SPOKE TO DAVID’S FUTURE, the Lord’s plans for his life (soon to become their lives) and it was linked to his present situation. Something was revealed to David in the Ravine about his future and his intentions were changed.

²⁹ Even though someone is pursuing you to take your life, (Saul) THE LIFE OF MY MASTER WILL BE BOUND SECURELY IN THE BUNDLE OF THE LIVING BY THE LORD YOUR GOD, but the lives of your enemies he will hurl away as from the pocket of a sling.

David was going to take life, the life of Nabal, but Abigail spoke of his own life being protected. God was going to rescue his life from the King of Israel, but he had to withdraw his own hand from someone who had greatly insulted him and his men.

¹² Forgive us our debts,
    as we also have forgiven our debtors. Matthew 6

David had a Change of Heart in the Ravine which allowed the Lord’s purpose to prevail in his own life, including his new wife.

³⁰ When the Lord has done for my master every good thing he promised concerning him and HAS APPOINTED HIM RULER OVER ISRAEL, ³¹ my master will not have on his conscience the staggering burden of needless bloodshed or of having avenged himself. AND WHEN THE LORD HAS BROUGHT MY MASTER SUCCESS, REMEMBER YOUR SERVANT.’ 

Abigail continues to speak to David’s future and once again asks that he remember her when the Lord has established him. Her heart may have sensed something, but we don’t know for sure.

It’s easy to be consumed by the circumstances in which we find ourselves, but God is always looking towards the fulfilling of our destiny. He has a bigger picture for our lives and we must continue to seek Him and not become trapped in temporary trials, no matter how difficult.

THERE IS A FUTURE OUTSIDE THE RAVINE, DON’T REMAIN THERE, IT’S ONLY FOR A SEASON. KEEP LOOKING TO THE FUTURE GOD HAS FOR YOU.

God bless and keep you today and every day, in every situation.