Through the Bible: 2 ChroniclesSample

Your Way or Yahweh?

When King Jehoshaphat of Judah arrived safely home in Jerusalem, Jehu son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him. “Why should you help the wicked and love those who hate the Lord?” he asked the king. “Because of what you have done, the Lord is very angry with you. Even so, there is some good in you, for you have removed the Asherah poles throughout the land, and you have committed yourself to seeking God.” 

2 Chronicles 19:1-3 (NLT) 

Jehoshaphat was generally a king who did what was pleasing in God’s sight. Therefore, God (Yahweh) was with Jehoshaphat. When the challenges were obvious, like the need for religious reform or during threat of war, Jehoshaphat consistently turned to God for guidance and made wise choices. His weakness was his lack of dependence on God for the day-to-day plans. He let his son marry Athaliah, the wicked daughter of evil Ahab and Jezebel. He also got into an ill-fated partnership with Ahab’s son, Ahaziah. In the midst of these, Jehu rightly rebuked Jehoshaphat that although Jehoshaphat professed to love God, he also built alliances with those who hated God. When unequally-yoked in partnership, the one who served God is tempted to compromise God’s values.

We repeat Jehoshaphat’s mistakes when we relegate God to the background in the “easy” life decisions. God wants us to turn to Him not only in the big life decisions but also in our daily lives. For all things, is it your way or Yahweh?

Prayer

Father, we do not know what to do but our eyes are upon You in every life decision. Teach us to love what You love and hate evil! In Jesus’ name, Amen.