June 16, 2016: SOAP #2387: 1Kings 20-21; 2Chronicles 17; Colossians 3

Scripture: 2Chronicles (NIV) 17:7 In the third year of his reign [King Jehoshaphat] he sent his officials …to teach in the towns of Judah. 8 With them were certain Levites…and the priests… 9 They taught throughout Judah, taking with them the Book of the Law of the LORD; they went round to all the towns of Judah and taught the people. 10 The fear of the LORD fell on all the kingdoms of the lands surrounding Judah, so that they did not make war with Jehoshaphat.

Observation: What a wise King! He wanted his people to know their God and their history. Reading the Law is like reading the history of the Jews. Their history was uniquely tied to their God.  The neighboring nations were not afraid of Judah’s weapons, nor their army led by brilliant generals. They were not afraid of Judah’s strong economy, nor of strong alliances with other nations. They were not afraid of their population. They were afraid of Judah’s God!

Application: Oh that our national leaders would follow King Jehoshaphat’s example. May every citizen of this great nation come to know “the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.” (…as we sing in the fourth stanza of our national anthem.) When we lose our fear and respect of God, other nations lose their fear and respect of us!

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, help me understand the Bible and walk in faith and knowledge that you are the same yesterday, today, and forever! Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!