King James Bible Study – “And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” – Mark 8:34
Date: Friday, July 03, 2020
Chapters: II Chronicles 20-23
Message: Unite As One
Hello My Friend,
It is a known fact that whenever you have someone wicked in power of a nation that that nation becomes something of a nightmare, oppressive, impoverish, immoral, and in fact, godless. Oh, they worship a god, but it is not the Almighty God, it is something quite devilish. One nation under God is a blessed nation, a prosperous and protected nation by God Himself. Nations fall quickly under devilish leadership, they can be turned around, but it takes a strong, God fearing leader, to carry them through, [Psalms 33:12,16-19 Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance. 16 There is no king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength. 17 An horse is a vain thing for safety: neither shall he deliver any by his great strength. 18 Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy; 19 To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine.]
As we celebrate Independence Day tomorrow we can take a look through the history books and see how great our nation was whenever it was under Godly leadership. George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, these were some amazing God fearing men, and it showed through their leadership and how great a nation we had become. It is no surprise that a leader who fears God will lead that nation into one great nation under God. Israel was not exception, Jehoshaphat was a good, God fearing king in Judah, he had much to be thankful for and found out first hand what happens when the entire congregation comes together and prays to the Almighty when they were suddenly under attack by two wicked nations joining forces.
[II Chronicles 20:2-4,12,15,20 Then there came some that told Jehoshaphat, saying, There cometh a great multitude against thee from beyond the sea on this side Syria; and, behold, they be in Hazazontamar, which is Engedi. 3 And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. 4 And Judah gathered themselves together, to ask help of the LORD: even out of all the cities of Judah they came to seek the LORD. 12 O our God, wilt thou not judge them? for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee. 15 And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the LORD unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God’s. 20 And they rose early in the morning, and went forth into the wilderness of Tekoa: and as they went forth, Jehoshaphat stood and said, Hear me, O Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem; Believe in the LORD your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper.]
[for the battle is not yours, but God’s.] For God’s faithful, our battles are not our own, but God’s, and He will see us through each and every one of them. Yes, God does judge His own, and if we are not being faithful to Him He will chasten us, even then He fights the battle for us until the day He brings us home, [Ephesians 1:9-11,13 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: 10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: 11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: 13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,]
Now, we are about to see the repercussions of what happens when a wicked leader rules a nation. Since Jehoshaphat allowed his son to marry Ahab’s daughter, and apparently a few others married into the family as well, it did not take long before Jehoram, corrupted by his wife, made Judah more corrupt than Israel. In fact, he was so wicked that he made sure no other son of Jehoshaphat had a chance to take the throne from him.
[II Chronicles 21:4-7,12,14,16-17 Now when Jehoram was risen up to the kingdom of his father, he strengthened himself, and slew all his brethren with the sword, and divers also of the princes of Israel. 6 And he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, like as did the house of Ahab: for he had the daughter of Ahab to wife: and he wrought that which was evil in the eyes of the LORD. 7 Howbeit the LORD would not destroy the house of David, because of the covenant that he had made with David, and as he promised to give a light to him and to his sons for ever. 12 And there came a writing to him from Elijah the prophet, saying, Thus saith the LORD God of David thy father, Because thou hast not walked in the ways of Jehoshaphat thy father, nor in the ways of Asa king of Judah, 14 Behold, with a great plague will the LORD smite thy people, and thy children, and thy wives, and all thy goods: 16 Moreover the LORD stirred up against Jehoram the spirit of the Philistines, and of the Arabians, that were near the Ethiopians: 17 And they came up into Judah, and brake into it, and carried away all the substance that was found in the king’s house, and his sons also, and his wives; so that there was never a son left him, save Jehoahaz, the youngest of his sons.]
[save Jehoahaz, the youngest of his sons.] This was only allowed because of the covenant that God had made with David, that there would always be a light of Judah upon the throne. Jehoahaz had Athaliah as his mother, she was as wicked and ruthless as Jezebel. When Jehoahaz was killed she had all the males of Judah executed.
[II Chronicles 22:1-4,8-10 And the inhabitants of Jerusalem made Ahaziah his youngest son king in his stead: for the band of men that came with the Arabians to the camp had slain all the eldest. So Ahaziah the son of Jehoram king of Judah reigned. 2 Forty and two years old was Ahaziah when he began to reign, and he reigned one year in Jerusalem. His mother’s name also was Athaliah the daughter of Omri. 3 He also walked in the ways of the house of Ahab: for his mother was his counsellor to do wickedly. 4 Wherefore he did evil in the sight of the LORD like the house of Ahab: for they were his counsellors after the death of his father to his destruction. 8 And it came to pass, that, when Jehu was executing judgment upon the house of Ahab, and found the princes of Judah, and the sons of the brethren of Ahaziah, that ministered to Ahaziah, he slew them. 9 And he sought Ahaziah: and they caught him, (for he was hid in Samaria,) and brought him to Jehu: and when they had slain him, they buried him: Because, said they, he is the son of Jehoshaphat, who sought the LORD with all his heart. So the house of Ahaziah had no power to keep still the kingdom. 10 But when Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she arose and destroyed all the seed royal of the house of Judah.]
[she arose and destroyed all the seed royal of the house of Judah.] You see, all evil comes from Satan because he is forever out to try and stop God’s plan, and God is always one step ahead of him. Athaliah thought she had all the males killed, one child was saved and hidden for eight years while the priest executed a plan to make him king. Faithful Christians are not that great at confrontations, and often are willing to compromise with the world in an effort to bring peace, but eventually they will say, “Enough is enough!”, and join together to get the evil out of their country. All it takes is one person willing to step up, even if that means the threat of being persecuted themselves. Joash was hid for eight years, this gave them enough time to prepare, and get rid of Athaliah once and for all. Jehoiada got everyone together and came up a plan to make Joash king.
[II Chronicles 23:3-6,11-12,14 And all the congregation made a covenant with the king in the house of God. And he said unto them, Behold, the king’s son shall reign, as the LORD hath said of the sons of David. 4 This is the thing that ye shall do; A third part of you entering on the sabbath, of the priests and of the Levites, shall be porters of the doors; 5 And a third part shall be at the king’s house; and a third part at the gate of the foundation: and all the people shall be in the courts of the house of the LORD. 6 But let none come into the house of the LORD, save the priests, and they that minister of the Levites; they shall go in, for they are holy: but all the people shall keep the watch of the LORD. 11 Then they brought out the king’s son, and put upon him the crown, and gave him the testimony, and made him king. And Jehoiada and his sons anointed him, and said, God save the king. 12 Now when Athaliah heard the noise of the people running and praising the king, she came to the people into the house of the LORD: 14 Then Jehoiada the priest brought out the captains of hundreds that were set over the host, and said unto them, Have her forth of the ranges: and whoso followeth her, let him be slain with the sword. For the priest said, Slay her not in the house of the LORD.]
[And all the congregation made a covenant with the king in the house of God.] Every decision we make needs to be done in the house of God. No, we do not have to go to a church building, all we need to do is call on Him. If we are saved, then the Holy Spirit indwells us, that means we can talk to God at any time, and He will hear us. In fact, the Holy Spirit will teach us what to say to God. How awesome is it that even though God is all three persons, each of His persons are with us and used for a specific purpose. The Holy Spirit is our Comforter and will remain with us until we go home to be with the LORD, or Jesus returns, [Romans 8:26-27 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.] Amen!
Today’s Prayer: God, Thank You for loving me and not giving up on me, even when I am at my worse, You still see the best in me, and never let go of me. I can never thank You enough for catching me from my fall, and for the life You have given me since I made the choice to live my life with Your Son in it. You are my strength, I know that I mess up a lot, but You never stop watching over me and defending me. Thank You for Your endless mercy and grace, and for never letting me go. You are the key to a blessed and prosperous nation, when we fear You as one nation, we are powerful, but when You are forsaken we become impoverished. Lord, Lead us and guide us, open the hearts of Your faithful, Your backslidden, and the lost, let us all rise up together as one, and fight for the freedoms that You have given us. Raise up Godly leaders that are grounded in Your Word to keep us free, and remove those from office who are set to destroy us. Protect and watch over us, help us to keep our eyes on You at all times, trusting and fearing You, and not what man can do to us. I ask these things in Your name, Jesus. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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