SCRIPTURE: 2 Chronicles 35
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
After Josiah had finished restoring the Temple, King Neco of Egypt led his army up from Egypt to do battle at Carchemish on the Euphrates River, and Josiah and his army marched out to fight him. But King Neco sent messengers to Josiah with this message: “What do you want with me, king of Judah? I have no quarrel with you today! I am on my way to fight another nation, and God has told me to hurry! Do not interfere with God, who is with me, or he will destroy you.” [2 Chronicles 35:20-21]
Poor Josiah, he was so sure that he was serving the Lord by fighting against King Neco.
Was it pride, was it presumption based on God’s promise to be with him his whole life [2 Chronicles 34:28]?
Did he seek the Lord’s guidance in this matter, or did he just assume he was doing the right thing?
Today’s passage is a reminder that we should not assume we know what God’s will or purpose is.
Jesus said (to Judas), “My friend, go ahead and do what you have come for.” Then the others grabbed Jesus and arrested him. But one of the men with Jesus pulled out his sword and struck the high priest’s slave, slashing off his ear. “Put away your sword,” Jesus told him. “Those who use the sword will die by the sword. Don’t you realize that I could ask my Father for thousands of angels to protect us, and he would send them instantly? [Matthew 26:50-53]
Poor Peter, he was so sure that he was serving the Lord by fighting against Judas and the soldiers.
Despite three years with Jesus, hearing Him speak about non-violence, peace, gentleness, they still assumed that God’s way was the way of the sword… and they were wrong.
The challenge from today’s reading is that I need to be very discerning and prayerful before I act or speak on behalf of God, making sure that it is His will in the first place.
I have faced times when I thought I knew what ought to be done, but later discovered that I was wrong.
Many of these times I did not pray about it, I just did it because I assumed I knew the answer.
But experience is teaching me not to be so presumptuous, that I am capable of misreading God’s will.
I have no easy answers about figuring out God’s will in specific situations.
But I do know that we should not be hasty in saying we know what it is.
How much do you pray about your actions or reactions?
I am thinking of a very specific situation I am going through right now, and how I am assuming that I know the right things to say and do; I am functioning on auto pilot; I am not seeking the Lord in this situation.
I do not want to interfere with what God is doing!
PRAYER:
Lord, forgive me for relying on my own wisdom, for assuming that I know what needs to be done without seeking Your guidance first. I want to serve Your purpose, not interfere with it!
Look at all that Josiah did in restoring the Passover, doing the will of the Lord God. Yet when he went to war he did not inquire of God His desires/plans, even though the opposing king had told him.
We too have selective hearing especially when it comes to the Word of the Lord. We are His servants true but also insist upon our own ways. We have a plan or we run a business or we are the CEO of an organization and we go our own way and not His way. All too often Christian organizations run independently of one another each doing their own thing and not working together enhancing the kingdom of God. How often do we pray, ‘Have thine own way Lord?’ We are like small children wanting it our way.
In all things, in all of life, I must inquire His will for me. I need to be intune with the Lord. I need to be His servant true. His kngdom come and not mine.
Help me daily to listen to His voice which clearly states ‘This is the way. Walk in it!’
Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Thou art the Potter, I am the clay.
Mold me and make me after Thy will,
While I am waiting, yielded and still.
Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Search me and try me, Master, today!
Whiter than snow, Lord, wash me just now,
As in Thy presence humbly I bow.
Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Wounded and weary, help me, I pray!
Power, all power, surely is Thine!
Touch me and heal me, Savior divine.
Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Hold o’er my being absolute sway!
Fill with Thy Spirit ’till all shall see
Christ only, always, living in me.