30/05/2017 - TRAGEDY ANNNOUNCED

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And Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him, and said to King Jehoshaphat, “Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the LORD? Therefore the wrath of the LORD is upon you. 2 Chronicles 19:2

After the shock and scare that he underwent in Samaria, Jehoshaphat returned to his home and was at peace. But that sentiment was not true, because he would suffer other temptations, and if he were not strong in his faith, he would succumb again. We must be firm and stay strong in our position in Christ because after several scares we might be tempted to believe we have no more problems with the enemy. To be successful and victorious against the enemy’s deceptions we must be on the right path always – the Word.

Now there went a prophet, named Jehu who was sent to reprehend Jehoshaphat. He began his message inquiring the king if it was proper to help the wicked and loving those that hate the Lord. In sequence he said that God’s wrath would be upon him. If Jehoshaphat had kept God’s commandments no evil would ever befall him. The same things happen to us. When we do not obey divine precepts, intense trials may come over our lives.

In Samaria, Jehoshaphat did two things that did not please the Lord. The first thing was to help a wicked, Ahab, falling into his trap and going to war by his side. If he had prayed he would have had his eyes opened wide. This way he would not have aided God’s enemies. The second mistake was to have done nothing in favor of Micaiah who brought the message from heaven, and because of this was sent to prison. Foolish king!

Jehu knew how to conduct the reprehension, showing the leader of Judah the qualities that were to be found in him: he had removed the wooden images out of the land and had prepared his heart to search for God (v.3). Jehoshaphat´s visit to Samaria was a walk through the desert, because by not having sought divine will through prayer, he did nothing of any value or worth there. His presence there attested they had done “right”, separating the ten tribes of the house of David to establish the kingdom that worshiped the demons.

Back in his home again, Jehoshaphat felt what should be done and visited his people from Beersheba until the mountains of Ephraim, leading all of them to return to the God of their fathers. A revival took place in his land. This is what the Omnipotent wants to happen to us too, so that the devil will find no breaches to destroy us. Before the wrath of the Lord overcomes your life, carry out His work with dedication.

The king suffered a true transformation of his heart, realizing how far he had steered away from divine instruction and direction. In very little time, his new choices from decisions and determinations produced positive effects and consequences in his subjects and the entire nation was now living according to God’s will and principles. What had been lacking in the early years of his reign had now been repaired. He agreed that he should practice healthy attitudes again, so as never to be rejected or abandoned by the One that only ordered us to do excellent things.

Learn the lesson: See where you fell and return to the arms of the Most High. Don’t allow the devil to make you or your loved ones to sin and be eternally damned. Do everything in your power to make them understand that remaining far from the Father no one ever sees the light.

In Christ, with Love,

R. R. Soares