24/06/2011 - Strengthen yourself against the evil-intentioned

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“Then Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his place, and strengthened himself against Israel.” (II Chronicles 17:1)
David’s kingdom split into two parts. In fact, his grandson, Rehoboam, for not being sensible or wise, saw ten out of the twelve tribes shouting for independence. The tribes of Judah and Benjamin stayed on his side; yet, the others created the Northern kingdom which kept the name of Israel. From the first king of the rebels, Jeroboam, up to all the others, almost all of them excelled in rebelling against the Lord in favor of the devil, introducing and supporting idolatry and witchcraft.
The tribes of the rebels were experts at challenging the Most High because apart from idolatry, witchcraft and devil worship – much to the shame of the true servants of the Most High – they also bothered the kingdom of Judah. By the way, Israel had a ruler called Baasha who greatly oppressed the kingdom of Judah, which was then governed by Asa. Baasha built Ramah so nobody would get into or out of that region. Asa, in his turn, did wrong for not seeking divine help. He was even enraged at Prophet Hanani – who had been sent to reprimand him – and put him in prison (II Chronicles 16:7-10). Soon afterwards Asa’s feet became diseased and because he had not sought the Lord he eventually died.
Jehoshaphat, Asa’s son, began ruling in Judah. That new king understood that he had to be strengthened against his evil-intentioned brothers from the North. Well, when someone becomes wicked we cannot trust them because they are capable of doing anything to get what they want even when they say they are serving the Lord. So, the right thing to do is to be strengthened in the power of God and in the Scriptures because those who practice wickedness become a threat to the ones who are truly obedient to the Father.
The rebels can even turn to us and say that they serve God. But be careful! Behind each of their proposals, however nice they might seem to be, there is always a plan that do not come from Above. Those who are used to living in wickedness and who have no respect for the Word of the Lord usually come up with a lot of tall tales to take advantage of those who are really committed to the Truth. The Apostle Paul himself said that we must not keep company with anyone named a brother but who actually lives like the lost ones (I Corinthians 5:11).
The biblical report says that Jehoshaphat loved God tremendously. In fact, he was brave enough to put all his trust in the Most High and that is the reason why the Lord honored him. Do not be sad because of some harm people might have caused you; after all they serve the enemy and for that reason they let themselves be used by him. Be a servant of God; fulfil His Word and you will have Him by your side in all situations. Do as Jehoshaphat did for he threw himself completely into doing the divine will and as a result he saw the Almighty God fighting his battles and giving him victories.
In Christ, with love,
R. R. Soares