Good Morning!

The text was Romans 12:1-2.

Blessings in Christ, 

Someone who keeps their promises shows themselves to be trustworthy.

No human being can do that, only God can and in this passage of holy Scripture we see such a beautiful example of God winning the battle, but doing so in such a complete way as to cause Judah to not even have to lift a finger to bring an end to the threat of the three kingdoms. This exemplary example of the LORD's love for His people is a perfect illustration of what has happened to us and for us at the cross of Calvary.  The victory was and is won by Christ, and by Him alone. It can be hard for us to really come to grips with what this means, yet at the end of the day our praise of Him and thanksgiving in worship is a sign of our understanding of this great and wonderful work of salvation accomplished by our Redeemer.

Let us rest and trust in the LORD our God because He alone has kept His Word and has granted to us by the gift of faith a title to the victory itself. 

This portion of God's Word has many things to teach us, but two things are of a very important practical purpose. 

First, we see the presence of children in the worship of the Church. At Bethany we really believe that not only has God called all of the family to worship Him, infant through great-great grandma, but that children by virtue of their place in His covenantal promise through baptism have as much right to bring praise, as Psalm 8 so wonderfully notes, as any other member of the church. Christ reminds the disciples not to bar the children from being with Him, and this especially applies to His worship. 

Second, in the passage for this week Jehoshaphat gives a godly example of what fathers should do. Through leading by example in his seeking out for the LORD's help and heeding the words of God's prophet the king shows the people of God what should be expected of them in times of trial and tribulation. Placing oneself in the hands of Christ and understanding His blessing and grace is how others, especially kids, learn about why they should likewise trust in God's plan and promise. 

The role of fathers in the Christ's kingdom cannot be overstated. This is especially the case because we live in an era where fathers are both abandoning their responsibilities as well as being downplayed by the culture. Being the spiritual leader in the home is so important to the life of the family and when this role is abdicated real, spiritual famine usually follows. As noted one of the most important ways fathers can pattern godly behavior is by being in worship every week, and not just physically being present, but engaging in singing, prayer, and attention to the means of grace. 

Have a blessed week!

Some people find history pretty boring, others can't get enough of it, but regardless of how we feel about it there is one thing that is true: History matters. 

There is a truism that some people act like the world was created the day they were born. Part of growing up, maturing is understanding that we are but a part of a much larger reality. 

This is especially true for the Christian. We are what we are because of history. Of a particular event that we trust and know that actually happened as much as George Washington was a real person and the Battle of Midway was not a creation of Hollywood. The life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ is the only reason there is a Christianity and it is central to all that we hold dear, and this historical truth and its application through the power of the Holy Spirit to the believer is what enables us to stand before the Lord our God and cry out to Him when trial and trouble appear and know that He not only hears our prayers, but is already working through His providence and His grace to work all things for His glory. 

In today's passage Jehoshaphat finds peace because of what he knows about what the LORD had accomplished for his fathers, the way God had redeemed Israel from bondage to slavery, and how God had called Abraham His friend. This knowledge of the way that the LORD keeps His promises to His people is also what brought assurance to Jesus Christ on the cross. As he cried out the opening verse of Psalm 22 He was reminding Himself and others of God's sure word and the way the LORD who never changes will never cease watching over His people even in the most difficult of circumstances. 

Christian be comforted by history. By the fact that Jesus Christ is the King of History, and not only that but of the present and the future as well. Place your faith and trust in the Rock that is higher than anything else, and the only person who has saved you from your sins, given you this new life in Him, and who alone has the power to help in times of trouble. 

The Unity of the Church is so important.

Making sure we are all on the same page, seeking the best for everyone in the community of faith, and that the household of God is lifting every part of the body up in prayer is how we can stand fast in the face of the enemies of God, especially that enemy which lives within us. 

In the passage this week we see the fruit of Jehoshaphat's campaign to teach the people of Judah to find their peace and comfort in the Word of the living God, and not just outwardly, but within their souls as well. This comes not by rash decision making, but by carefully preparing oneself to receive the blessings of the Lord in prayer. Building that foundation of faith enables you to stand fast when sin and temptation rear their ugly head. 

We also see in this portion of Holy Scripture an example of a Godly leader and father. Jehoshaphat leads by example and before telling everyone else to pray he himself calls out and seeks the ear of Jehovah in the knowledge that He is his hope. 

As we go about our business this week let us "set our hearts" on Christ and remember that we are not in this battle alone, but have brothers and sisters in Christ who love us and care for us. May we remember God's faithfulness in all things by His grace. 

In many ways discipleship is the work of repetition. It so often follows a pattern of: sin, repentance, growth, sin, repentance, growth, and on and on. 

This is what we are seeing in the life of Jehoshaphat. He had started out well, organizing Judah with an eye towards justice, yet when given the opportunity to "export" that justice to Israel he fell hard and sinned greatly before the LORD. 

In His blessed grace Jehovah had rescued the king of Judah from the consequences of his transgressions and brought him back to Jerusalem where he had spent time in reflection and the work of renewing his covenantal commitment to God through prayer, fasting, and "dwelling" in the face of the LORD. This seeking of God where He may be found is shown to be the merciful power that it is by what we see Jehoshaphat do in this passage.

Much like in chapter 19 at the beginning of his story the king is active in putting Godly judges in place, but there is a difference this time. He says that these judges are to, "...act in the fear of the LORD, faithfully and with a loyal heart." 

What this means in practical words is that these men given the responsibility of making sure that God's people are dealt with fairly and without partiality are to always remember that at the end of the day they are not working for Jehoshaphat, but Jehovah. This is to show them that in the Day of Judgment when they have to give an account for their labors God's Word and His Law will be the standard by which they will they themselves will be judged.

No one likes being told they are wrong, particularly when they are wrong. 

Whether it is a question of fact or an action, it doesn't really matter. Our pride is often what stops us from receiving correction, even, maybe especially when we need to hear it, yet this is what the LORD does for those whom He loves. 

In our passage this week we see God sending a prophet named Jehu to witness to and comfort Jehoshaphat after his disastrous decision to marry off his son to Ahab's daughter and to engage in warfare at Ramoth Gilead against the counsel of the Lord. At the end of chapter 18 Jehoshaphat was saved by the intercession of God in the midst of the battle, and the King has returned to Jerusalem. When he comes back Jehu has some choice words meant to bring Jehoshaphat back into the Kingdom of Heaven, not by shaming him, but through his counsel to show him that in his distress their is hope found in repentance and faith.

Blessings on your week!

Repentance is hard. 

It involves putting to death pride and openly recognizing and admitting you sinned, have no real future in continuing in your sin, and that your sin is against a holy and righteous God without which there is no hope of salvation. 

Sometimes God puts us in difficult situations so that we will face up to our transgressions and deal with them in a way that brings peace and comfort out of the consequences that our sin has placed us in. Jehoshaphat in our Scripture text today was in this position in spades. The whole Syrian Army was barreling down on him, waiting for the signal to light up his body with arrows and swords, all because Jehoshaphat through his alliance with evil Ahab and his refusal to stand up for Micaiah as the LORD was blasphemed had brought himself into this time and place by his sin. 

But what did Jehoshaphat do and how did God respond? 

He cried out to the LORD in repentance and faith and his Savior and Redeemer heard his call and turned away the advancing troops thereby bringing him out of harms way. Now, the Lord may not always remove the temporal consequences of our sin, but the great truth of the Gospel is that through the shed blood of Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit those who turn away from following the dictates of our pagan culture and the wisdom of the fallen mind have the assurance that they are forgiven from the real, actual serious penalty of death, and receive by faith the awesome blessings of eternal life in Christ. 

It is never too late to repent, to turn away from sin. The Lord Jesus calls you this day to put away the childish things and to rest and trust in the heavenly mercies and grace offered in Him alone.

Silence in many cases can be just as dangerous as speaking out in a sinful way. 

It is especially damaging when you have an opportunity to speak out against something you know is wrong, but for whatever reasons you decide to keep quiet so as not "ruin" whatever you have going on.

This is the sin of Jehoshaphat in the passage before us today. There is a great contrast between the boldness of Micaiah to speak the word of the LORD to Ahab and all who would listen, and then face the consequences for doing so. All the while what did Jehoshaphat do to help the man of God in his day of trial? Nothing. He just sat there in his comfy chair and contentment and allowed Micaiah to be slapped and tossed in prison.

Living in a time of great apostasy is very difficult for the honest Christian. 

It is especially hard for those tasked with leading the people of God, who are to be an example to others of holiness and exemplifying the walk of the narrow path. This is what makes this particular passage one of the sadder ones in the whole Bible. Jehoshaphat is a Godly man who has allowed his heart to walk away from the promises of the LORD and His Word. 

The beginning of the portion of Holy Scripture before us notes once more that Jehoshaphat has everything that he needs. He has "riches and honor in abundance", but he makes a tragic decision: to compromise his faith by going into an agreement with the despicably evil Ahab, King of Israel. He does this because he is not satisfied in the blessings that the LORD has provided him. This is a great, and ever present danger for the believer. 

Everything about the culture around us today is encouraging us to make deals with the world, to compromise the clear teaching of God's Word with what is common and encouraged in 21st Century America on everything from sexual/marriage ethics to financial wisdom. Our Churches and Christ's sheep cannot do this. We must stand strong against the rising tide, even if we are like Micaiah and outnumbered 400-1. The only way this can happen is if we guard our hearts from the temptations of the flesh, and we can only do that unless we are satisfied in Christ and His Gospel Truth, and if we make use of the means of His grace to fight the good fight of faith against the old man within us. 

Revival and Reformation are much needed today. However, that work must begin in the heart of every Christian Believer, if we want to see that renewal take place in our nation, in our communities, and in our families. 

Have a blessed week in Christ!