Today’s Reading: 2 Chronicles 20:31-37
Jehoshaphat was a good king, following the ways of his father, Asa. He did what was pleasing in the Lord’s sight. During his reign, however, he failed to remove all the pagan shrines, and the people never fully committed themselves to follow the God of their ancestors. – 2 Chronicles 20:32-33
Jehoshaphat had seasons of leading the people of Judah in the worship of the Lord Almighty, but he remained soft in areas that God had clearly defined as sin. He was permissive in allowing the people to do what they wanted to do — to worship false gods. And since the king was not fully obedient to God’s instructions, the people never fully devoted themselves to God. The weakness of his stance against sin left the door open for God’s people to focus their lives on what THEY wanted to do rather than on how God required them to live, and soon he, too, was pursuing a life apart from God’s plan.
WEAKENING OUR STANCE AGAINST SIN CAN LEAD TO THE PURSUIT OF A LIFE APART FROM GOD.
Some time later King Jehoshaphat of Judah made an alliance with King Ahaziah of Israel, who was very wicked. Together they built a fleet of trading ships at the port of Ezion-geber. Then Eliezer son of Dodavahu from Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat. He said, “Because you have allied yourself with King Ahaziah, the Lord will destroy your work.” So the ships met with disaster and never put out to sea. – 2 Chronicles 20:35-37
He frustrates the plans of schemers so the work of their hands will not succeed. He traps the wise in their own cleverness so their cunning schemes are thwarted. — Job 5:12-13
Stepping outside of God’s plan is never a good idea; living to please ourselves instead of pleasing God is defiance. We serve a God of mercy, but that does not mean He is permissive; we serve a God of grace, but that is not the same as tolerance. We may desire to be a merciful people to those who are living in sin, but we can show God’s mercy without redefining what is right and what is wrong.
TO REDEFINE SIN IS NOT MERCY; TO WEAKEN OUR STANCE IS NOT COMPASSION.
Mercy is defined as compassion and forgiveness, but it should not lead to the acceptance of a view that is contrary to what is biblical. We can have pity on those who are hurting without celebrating their sin. In love, we should guide others onto the path God has for them; in love, we should encourage others to fully surrender themselves to God.
We serve a good God! He loves us and wants what is best for us. He is a righteous God and He clothes us in His righteousness for our own happiness and for His glory. The boundaries He has created are for our own benefit and evidence of His unfailing love for us. His mercy rescues us from our sin; it does not create an allowance for sin.
How kind the Lord is! How good he is!
So merciful, this God of ours!…
What can I offer the Lord
for all he has done for me?
I will lift up the cup of salvation
and praise the Lord’s name for saving me.
I will keep my promises to the Lord
in the presence of all his people. – Psalm 116:5,12-14
Lord, how great is your mercy; let me be revived by following your regulations. – Psalm 119:156
People who conceal their sins will not prosper,
but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy. – Proverbs 28:13
Seek the Lord while you can find him.
Call on him now while he is near.
Let the wicked change their ways
and banish the very thought of doing wrong.
Let them turn to the Lord that he may have mercy on them.
Yes, turn to our God, for he will forgive generously.
“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord.
“And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.
For just as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so my ways are higher than your ways
and my thoughts higher than your thoughts. – Isaiah 55:6-9
Sing a new song of praise to him;
play skillfully on the harp, and sing with joy.
For the word of the Lord holds true,
and we can trust everything he does.
He loves whatever is just and good;
the unfailing love of the Lord fills the earth. – Psalm 33:3-5
GOD’S MERCY RESCUES US FROM OUR SIN; IT DOES NOT CREATE AN ALLOWANCE FOR SIN.
Lord, give us a heart that reflects your heart. Teach us what it means to be merciful. Give us the courage to speak truth without becoming judgemental; give us a heart of compassion that seeks to draw others towards you. May your unfailing love be reflected in the way we treat others. Give us ears that are willing to listen to the lost, eyes that see opportunities to serve you by serving others, and wisdom to always speak truth in love.