Taking A Stand for Righteousness!!

Then the king stood in his place and made a covenant before the Lord, to follow the Lord, and to keep His commandments and His testimonies and His statutes with all his heart and all his soul, to perform the words of the covenant that were written in this book. And he made all who were present in Jerusalem and Benjamin take a stand. So the inhabitants of Jerusalem did according to the covenant of God, the God of their fathers. Thus Josiah removed all the abominations from all the country that belonged to the children of Israel, and made all who were present in Israel diligently serve the Lord their God. All his days they did not depart from following the Lord God of their fathers. (2 Chron 34:31-33) Would to God that our national leaders were people willing to take a stand for the Lord and encourage righteousness in our land. Since they won't, then let the church rise up and do so!

Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid nor dismayed before the king of Assyria, nor before all the multitude that is with him; for there are more with us than with him. With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the Lord our God, to help us and to fight our battles. And the people were strengthened by the words of Hezekiah king of Judah. (2 Chron 32:7-8) We need to remember that God saves by many or by few. He is for us, so who can be against us?

True worship....

Moreover King Hezekiah and the leaders commanded the Levites to sing praise to the Lord with the words of David and of Asaph the seer. So they sang praises with gladness, and they bowed their heads and worshiped. Then Hezekiah answered and said, "Now that you have consecrated yourselves to the Lord, come near, and bring sacrifices and thank offerings into the house of the Lord." So the assembly brought in sacrifices and thank offerings, and as many as were of a willing heart brought burnt offerings. (2 Chron 29:30-31) True worship is filled with praise and is followed by offerings and real and heart-felt commitment! 

Beware of things that harm...

Now after the death of Jehoiada the leaders of Judah came and bowed down to the king. And the king listened to them. Therefore they left the house of the Lord God of their fathers, and served wooden images and idols; and wrath came upon Judah and Jerusalem because of their trespass. Yet He sent prophets to them, to bring them back to the Lord; and they testified against them, but they would not listen (2 Chron 24:17-19) Such a sad testimony against the nation. It was so easy to leave God and trust in lifeless things. Sadly, it is still true today. Some who profess Jesus leave Him when they become attracted to things that harm. May we love Him and cling to Him, today! 

And he (Reheboam) did evil, because he did not prepare his heart to seek the Lord (2 Chron 12:14) May we prepare our hearts to seek the Lord! I don't like the alternative!

Blessings...

Blessed are You, Lord God of Israel, our Father, forever and ever. Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, The power and the glory, The victory and the majesty; For all that is in heaven and in earth is Yours; Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, And You are exalted as head over all. Both riches and honor come from You, And You reign over all. In Your hand is power and might; In Your hand it is to make great And to give strength to all. (1 Chron 29:10-12) Amen, blessed be the Name of the Lord!

Then King David went in and sat before the Lord, and he said: “Who am I, Lord God, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far? And as if this were not enough in your sight, my God, you have spoken about the future of the house of your servant. You, Lord God, have looked on me as though I were the most exalted of men. (1 Chron 17:16-17) This humble and awestruck response is the proper way to respond to God's amazing promises! May we learn the beauty of humility!