Courageous in the Lord
2nd Chronicles 17
In this chapter we see Jehoshaphat the son of Asa becomes king. We see that the first thing that is written about him is that he strengthened himself against Israel. Remember there are now two kingdoms; the northern, Israel and the southern, Judah. In this section of Chronicles the author is focusing on the kings of Judah. To get more of the big picture read, 1st Kings 12 through 14.
Courageous in the Ways of the Lord (6)
After reading a little about Jehoshaphat we see that he loved God. He followed after the Lord like his father did and like David did. He got rid of the idols of the land and had reform take place throughout the kingdom. Reform is like getting things to the place they need too. In verse 6 we see that his heart was courageous in the ways of the Lord. What a statement to say about someone, it is one thing to think one is courageous in battle but it says he was courageous in the ways of the Lord. How awesome, his strength was in the Lord!
Is your strength in the Lord? David wrote in Psalm 18:1-2, I love you Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. To know this, it means that we put all our trust and hope in the Lord and not in man or ourselves. There are things that we still hold onto, whether it is sin our self or pride but that means our strength is not in the Lord. Paul said to the Corinthians in 1st Corinthians 1:27-28, “But GOd chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing thins that are. He uses those who may be nothing in this world but their strength is in the Lord. Paul even said, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me in Philippians 4:!3.
We need to not only say our strength is in the Lord but we show it by living it. That is where we will be a light to the world. Do you have strength in the Lord in order for you to not be conformed to this world? Do you have strength in the Lord to live for him on a daily basis? Do you have strength in the Lord to share what Jesus did for you and me to those around you? The answer should be yes! What are you waiting for, make the most of every opportunity and as Paul said to the Romans 12:11, Do not be slothful in zeal, fervent in Spirit and serve the Lord. GO and do!
