Bible Heaven/Bible Heaven.iso/online/mhcc18/v19500

Text File | 1994-03-01 | 4KB | 66 lines

19501
 * Jehoshaphat's alliance with Ahab.

 - This history we read in #1Ki 22|. Abundant riches and honour
 give large opportunities of doing good, but they are attended
 with many snares and temptations. Men do not know much of the
 artifices of Satan and the deceitfulness of their own hearts,
 when they covet riches with the idea of being able to do good
 with them. What can hurt those whom God will protect? What can
 shelter those whom God will destroy? Jehoshaphat is safe in his
 robes, Ahab killed in his armour; for the race is not to the
 swift, nor the battle to the strong. We should be cautious of
 entangling ourselves in the worldly undertakings of evil men;
 and still more we should avoid engaging in their sinful
 projects. But, when they call upon him, God can and will bring
 his faithful people out of the difficulties and dangers into
 which they have sinfully run themselves. He has all hearts in
 his hand, so that he easily rescues them. Blessed is the man
 that putteth his trust in the Lord.
19535
 * Jehoshaphat visits his kingdom.

 - Whenever we return in peace to our houses, we ought to
 acknowledge God's providence in preserving our going out and
 coming in. And if we have been kept through more than common
 dangers, we are, in a special manner, bound to be thankful.
 Distinguishing mercies lay us under strong obligations. The
 prophet tells Jehoshaphat he had done very ill in joining Ahab.
 He took the reproof well. See the effect the reproof had upon
 him. He strictly searched his own kingdom. By what the prophet
 said, Jehoshaphat perceived that his former attempts for
 reformation were well-pleasing to God; therefore he did what was
 then left undone. It is good when commendations quicken us to
 our duty. There are diversities of gifts and operations, but all
 from the same Spirit, and for the public good; and as every one
 has received the gift, so let him minister the same. Blessed be
 God for magistrates and ministers, scribes and statesmen, men of
 books, and men of business. Observe the charge the king gave.
 They must do all in the fear of the Lord, with a perfect,
 upright heart. And they must make it their constant care to
 prevent sin, as an offence to God, and what would bring wrath on
 the people.
19546
 * The danger and distress of Judah. (1-13) Jahaziel's prophecy
 of victory. (14-19) The thanksgiving of Judah. (20-30)
 Jehoshaphat's alliance with Ahaziah. (31-37)

 #1-13 In all dangers, public or personal, our first business
 should be to seek help from God. Hence the advantage of days for
 national fasting and prayer. From the first to the last of our
 seeking the Lord, we must approach him with humiliation for our
 sins, trusting only in his mercy and power. Jehoshaphat
 acknowledges the sovereign dominion of the Divine Providence.
 Lord, exert it on our behalf. Whom should we seek to, whom
 should we trust to for relief, but the God we have chosen and
 served. Those that use what they have for God, may comfortably
 hope he will secure it to them. Every true believer is a son of
 Abraham, a friend of God; with such the everlasting covenant is
 established, to such every promise belongs. We are assured of
 God's love, by his dwelling in human nature in the person of the
 Saviour. Jehoshaphat mentions the temple, as a token of God's
 favourable presence. He pleads the injustice of his enemies. We
 may well appeal to God against those that render us evil for
 good. Though he had a great army, he said, We have no might
 without thee; we rely upon thee.