PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: 2 Chronicles 19-20
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“He appointed men to sing to the Lord at the head of the army.” (2 Chronicles 20:21)
What a war strategy – put the choir on the front lines.
But this was a powerful lessons, one the runs through all these chapters.
It is the Lord, and not our own strength or smarts, that makes us successful.
“Give thanks to the Lord, for his love endures forever.” (2 Chronicles 20:21)
Do I go into my day putting the choir first… that is praying the Lord?
Do I take on a challenge reaffirming my confidence in the Lord?
Do I give thanks to the Lord BEFORE I see how he will help me?
Praise and thanks is an important part of our daily work and warfare.
Satan will do his best to distract us with fear and doubt.
When we face difficulties, do we give voice to the fears, or to our faith?
Do we exalt the size of our problems, or do we exalt the size of our God?
How we speak when we face crises tells us a lot about where our focus lies.
As Jesus followers, we fix our eyes on Jesus, who defeated the devil for us.
As Jesus followers, we face our daily challenges with the choir of praise up front!
PRAYER
Lord, forgive me for forgetting to put the choir out front. I can start my day today, and go through every day, giving thanks to you, for your love endures forever!
We get in the way. Last passage Jehoshaphat made made a pact with Ahab – and that upset God because he had allied himself with Ahab king of Israel, a wicked king, and near the end of his life even with his great success in being obedient to God and watching as God took care of a massive assault against him, he makes a pact again this time with Ahaziah, King of Israel – again the fruit of those efforts are ruined – the ships are destroyed. God had blessed Jehoshaphat because he had almost cleansed the land of pagan worship – he was successful in so many ways and he had fortified and made himself strong. Yet our human success can so easily get in the way of genuine humility before the Lord. Pride messes me up. O Lord help me to walk humbly before you and let me not get in the way of serving you as I ought. Don’t give up on me, Holy Spirit!
In these days as in all days God is first.
TGIF = today God is first. Good morning Lord.
I need to walk in His presence always for the joy of the Lord God is my strength. It is He Who puts a song in my heart as I read these devotions each day and spend time with Him. Loving Him, serving Him give me the power to live for Jesus.
1
Living for Jesus a life that is true,
Striving to please Him in all that I do;
Yielding allegiance, glad-hearted and free,
This is the pathway of blessing for me.
O Jesus, Lord and Savior,
I give myself to Thee,
For Thou, in Thy [redemption],*
Didst give Thyself for me;
I own no other Master,
My heart shall be Thy throne,
My life I give, henceforth to live,
O Christ, for Thee alone.
2
Living for Jesus who died in my place,
Bearing on Calv’ry my sin and disgrace;
Such love constrains me to answer His call,
Follow His leading and give Him my all.
3
Living for Jesus wherever I am,
Doing each duty in His holy name;
Willing to suffer affliction and loss,
Deeming each trial a part of my cross.
4
Living for Jesus through earth’s little while,
My dearest treasure, the light of His smile;
Seeking the lost ones He died to redeem,
Bringing the weary to find rest in Him.