Day 177 – Jehoshaphat (Southern King 25 years)

• Once again we are heading into Chronicles to pick up the story instead of staying in the book of Kings. You’ll be getting the idea that the two books have quite a lot of overlap about the events they detail, although there are differences in information they give.
• What good things did Jehoshaphat do? What about the weaknesses we can also see in his judgement (we read about one of these yesterday)?
• Despite the fact the Jehoshaphat wasn’t perfect (no earthly king ever was), God used him to do mighty things. This was partly because he learned from his mistakes and accepted the rebukes he received. Do you learn from your poor choices, like Jehoshaphat? Who else have we looked at who had a similar attitude?
• When Jehoshaphat heard of the impending threat in 2 Chronicles 20:1-2, what did he do?
• Look at Jehoshaphat’s prayer in 2 Chronicles 20:5-12. What gives him confidence that God will help them? What are Jehoshaphat’s pleas to God?
• Who assembled together to hear the answer from God? When you go through difficult times, do you involve other Christian friends/family/support to help you? Are you comfortable sharing the pressures you feel with these people, perhaps at a midweek bible study or with a small group of people you trust?
• What encouraging words did God give Jehoshaphat in 2 Chronicles 20:15 onward?
• How did Jehoshaphat use singing and praising God as part of the weaponry of his army? Whilst they were praising, what was God causing to happen amongst the attackers? We can see this from 2 Chronicles 20:24.
• What song would you sing if you were in that situation?
• Notice that Jehoshaphat never prayed for the plunder or material reward, but he and his people received it nevertheless, as we can see by the account of the days it took to strip the battlefield of all the things left behind. What can this help to teach us?

Jehoshaphat made some poor decisions in his life but God built him up and used him mightily because, as part of his response to his sin, he opened his heart to God and welcomed Him in to work in his life. It might sound odd to say that, but God gives us free will – a choice we have to follow Him, or to walk away. His heart weeps for every person who chooses to turn their back on Him, but there is a party in Heaven whenever someone comes back to him, as the wonderful words of Luke 15:7 teaches us.

And so yes – God can use you mightily but you need to make yourself open to being used. That’s done by understanding the words of Scripture, opening your heart to them, putting God number one in what you say and do, and repenting of your sin when you stumble. If that describes your faith then I rejoice too, and I pray that God will do great things in your life and through you.