The key to a unified and joyful People

Read 1 Chronicles 12.

In addition to the select group of mighty men surrounding and serving David, many others were needed to unify the nation.  Governing Israel required a strong military force to protect the people.  They were always under threat by surrounding nations.  In that regard nothing has changed.

Tribe by tribe came forward announcing their allegiance to the new king.  These volunteers were first-rate soldiers with great and varying skills.

Those from the tribe of Gad were leaders, "officers of the army".  They possessed amazing fighting prowess: "the least was a match for a hundred men and the greatest for a thousand" (v.14).  Those from Issachar served using their wisdom in battle strategy: "men who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do" (v.32).  From Zebulun came "50,000 seasoned troops" with one singular purpose-" to help David" (v.33)

This overwhelming show of strength not only showed a readiness to respond to any threat but insured peace.  It resulted in unity of the nation in this transition of power from Saul to David.  And, "there was joy in Israel" (v.40).

Involvement in any organization builds a sense of ownership and responsibility.  That sense of ownership leads to support.  When people are supportive but not involved, they will one day switch allegiance to another organization.  If leaders want to increase support, they must involve the people within the organization in ways that are meaningful to them, using their gifts, skills and experience.

That is a great description of a healthy, vibrant church.  We were never saved to sit.  We are gifted by the Holy Spirit to serve.

A Leader cannot do it Alone

Read 1 Chronicles 11.

David, though anointed to be king years before, was finally inaugurated as king of Israel.  His charge from the LORD included serving as a shepherd of the people and a prince over the people.  David's experience growing up as a shepherd and his years of national leadership had prepared him well.  But as he made Jerusalem his home (called the city of David) the new king's greatest asset was "the LORD of hosts was with him" (v.9).

Every leader understands he cannot do the job alone.  People with varying skills, personalities, backgrounds, and abilities are required for any healthy organization.  God provided David with a position, but He also surrounded David some "mighty men".

What made them "mighty"?

As one reads through the list, the might of these men was more than just their physical and military prowess.

1. They were seasoned survivors, proven over-comers, battle tested.

2. They were blessed by God with success. v.14

3. They were attentive to needs. v.17

4. They were loyal, even at the cost of their lives. v.18

5. They were initiators, taking action to meet needs.

Every local church needs such a group of "mighty" people to surround their pastor for the protection, welfare, and growth of the congregation.

Ignoring God is Costly

Read 1 Chronicles 10

The end of chapter nine details the family lineage of Saul, Israel's first king.  Chapter ten fast-forwards straight to Saul's death.  Saul's reign is recorded in 1 Kings and that book ends with his death.

This particular battle against the Philistines proved costly.  Jonathan also was killed.

However, God had rejected Saul as king years before and, therefore, none of his family would follow him to the throne.

Verses 13-14 clearly state the reason for God's rejection.

-His breach of faith

-He did not keep the command of the LORD

-He consulted a medium for guidance

-He did not seek the LORD for guidance

Notice the wording in verse 14-"Therefore, the LORD put him to death..."

Ultimately, it was not the war, nor his suicide that cost his life.  His failure to depend on God and live obediently brought about Saul to his end.  There is no other source of hope in the universe than placing one's faith in our Creator, our Savior, and our Sustainer.

David, though not perfect, had a whole-heart for God and served as king for the rest of 1 Chronicles.

The Lord seeks and helps those who daily check and discipline their hearts before Him.

A public promise that changed a Nation

Read 2 Kings 23.

Imagine!  The king called for a national gathering so he could read the word of God to the people.  Next, Josiah made a public promise before the LORD to live for Him and obey His word "with all his heart and all his soul" (v.3).  Then, all the people joined King Josiah in that covenant.

This was followed by putting the word of God into practice.  They rid the country of all the trappings of the many false worship systems.  They cleansed the nation of the immoral and despicable practices done under the guise of religion.  There was no more tolerance of things that directly violated the word of God.

Because of the spiritual nonsense, the nation had not celebrated a Passover for many, many years.  But King Josiah reestablished the prescribed celebrations and true worship of God.

It is noteworthy that this did not change God's pronouncement of national judgment because of all the sin in the past.  The Babylonians were gaining strength to conquer Assyria and then take Judah captive.  Josiah was killed by Pharaoh Neco of Egypt.

Josiah left a wonderful epitaph: "Before him there was no king like him, who turned to the LORD with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his might, according to all the Law of Moses, nor did any like him arise after him" (v.25).

The Lord of heaven evaluates our lives according to our knowledge, heart commitment, and practice of His written word.  I have joined Josiah in this covenant.  How about you?

God’s word changes lives and Nations

Read 2 Kings 22.

After years of abuse and misuse of the Temple in Jerusalem by the previous two kings, Josiah ordered repairs and renovations to be done.  As the workmen began the job, the High Priest discovered a copy of "the Book of the Law"; probably the first five books of the Old Testament.  It was taken to King Josiah who asked that it be read to him.

Apparently, it had been years since anyone had heard the word of God.  As the king listened, he realized how the nation had forsaken God and how far they had moved from all that God expected of them.  He also realized that judgment for their disobedience would come.  He literally tore his clothes in anguish and sought godly counsel as to what to do.

It is interesting that with all the other notable prophets in Jerusalem at the time, such as Jeremiah, that they sought out a woman with a prophetic gift named Huldah.  She confirmed that "disaster" would come upon the land of Judah because of all the years of false worship.  However, to Josiah God stated that it would not happen in his lifetime "because your heart was penitent and you humbled yourself before the LORD when you heard..." (v.19).  Josiah was promised peace and protection from the judgment of God.

Reading, hearing, memorizing, meditating, applying and obeying the scriptures produces life-changing results. The Bible is not a book of history, unattached from life in the 21st century life.  Indeed, it is the key to life now and for eternity.

"For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart." Hebrews 4:12

"This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it.  For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success." Joshua 1:8

The high cost of false Worship

Read 2 Kings 21.

Just because a father is a godly man and pleases the LORD does not guarantee that his children will be.  Even with the best upbringing each person must come to faith in God as an individual.  We see that graphically played out here.  Hezekiah was the best king of Judah, while his son Manasseh was the worst.

Manasseh's evil amounts to a long list of paganism and satanically inspired behaviors meant to destroy the nation's faith in the LORD.  In verse 2, the scripture calls them "despicable practices".

-worshiped in the high places, instead of the Temple in Jerusalem

-erected altars to Baal for sacrifices to appease this man made god

-made an Asherah, a carved pole to worship a cult goddess, and set it up in the Temple

-worshiped and served the "host of heaven"-literally a multitude in the heavens.  Often this refers to angelic beings, but this was astral worship of the stars and their movements as if they had some magical power or control over life.  Today, this is called astrology.

-he built altars for sacrifice to the "host of heaven" right in the Temple courts

-he sacrificed his own son in an altar fire

-he used fortune-telling

-he depended on omens

-he dealt with mediums

-he turned to wizards

-shed innocent blood throughout Jerusalem

The next king, Amon, Manasseh's son, continued all these sinful practices.

These things are not forms of harmless entertainment or fanciful practices to be tolerated.  Repeatedly they are called "evil" and stirred the anger of the LORD.  God affirmed the prophecy of Isaiah, spoken in chapter 20, that He will bring "disaster" upon Judah and Jerusalem to cleanse the nation spiritually.  He described it as one who washes out a dish and turns it upside down to dry over time.

This is an unmistakable warning to anyone involved in these false attempts at spiritualism.  Disaster will come.  It is also a clear call to turn to the true and living God, Maker of heaven and earth, who invites us to have a personal relationship with Him through faith in Jesus.

Our reflexes are Revealing

Read 2 Kings 20.

King Hezekiah of Judah became deathly ill.  The only clue concerning his malady is the mention in verse 7 of a boil.  One could imagine a possible infection had spread that threatened his life.  God sent the prophet Isaiah with a message.  This time it was not with the comforting words of "fear not" but the confirmation that the king would die.

How would this godly man respond to such devastating news?  He did what he had always done.  He took it to the LORD in prayer.  Facing his own mortality, he talked to God with honesty and transparency about his life in verse 3.

1. He lived life by being faithful to the LORD.

2. He lived life with a whole heart for the LORD.

3. He lived life by doing those things that pleased the LORD.

This was not bragging, nor did God need reminding.  Hezekiah could certainly have been saying, "After all I have done to please You and now this happens"!  Godly?  Yes, but human.  He "wept bitterly."

Isaiah had not even left the building when God turned him around with a caveat to the message.  God added fifteen years to the king's life.  Note that the healing had two key parts: 1. Spiritual: this was an answer to prayer.  2. Medicinal: Isaiah prescribed a treatment plan.  The confirmation on the steps is the third time in the Old Testament where God used darkness and/or daylight in a miraculous manner.

Do not miss the prophecy by Isaiah to Hezekiah in verses 16-18 that one day the Babylonians will come and take Judah into captivity.

How we respond to news that catches us off guard is usually a reflex action.  We all have reflexes based upon our personalities and personal disciplines, or lack thereof.  There is no discipleship without the practice of spiritual disciplines.  The disciplines train our reflexes so our responses will help us to react to real life with the full integrity of our faith.