home
***
CD-ROM
|
disk
|
FTP
|
other
***
search
/
Bible Heaven
/
Bible Heaven.iso
/
online
/
mhcc18
/
v19550
< prev
next >
Wrap
Text File
|
1994-03-02
|
4KB
|
67 lines
19559
#14-19 The Spirit of prophecy came upon a Levite in the midst of
the congregation. The Spirit, like the wind, blows where and on
whom He listeth. He encouraged them to trust in God. Let the
Christian soldier go out against his spiritual enemies, and the
God of peace will make him more than a conqueror. Our trials
will prove our gain. The advantage will be all our own, but the
whole glory must be given to God.
19565
#20-30 Jehoshaphat exhorted his troops to firm faith in God.
Faith inspires a man with true courage; nor will any thing help
more to the establishing of the heart in shaking times, than a
firm belief of the power, and mercy, and promise of God. In all
our trust in the Lord, and our praises of him, let us especially
look at his everlasting mercy to sinners through Jesus Christ.
Never was an army so destroyed as that of the enemy. Thus God
often makes wicked people destroy one another. And never was a
victory celebrated with more solemn thanksgivings.
19576
#31-37 Jehoshaphat kept close to the worship of God, and did
what he could to keep his people close to it. But after God had
done such great things for him, given him not only victory, but
wealth; after this, to go and join himself with a wicked king,
was very ungrateful. What could he expect but that God would be
angry with him? Yet it seems, he took the warning; for when
Ahaziah afterward pressed him to join him, he would not, #1Ki
22:49|. Thus the alliance was broken, and the Divine rebuke had
its effect, at least for a season. Let us be thankful for any
losses which may have prevented the loss of our immortal souls.
Let us praise the Lord, who sought after us, and left us not to
perish in our sins.
19583
* The wicked reign of Jehoram. (1-11) Jehoram's miserable end.
(12-20)
#1-11 Jehoram hated his brethren, and slew them, for the same
reason that Cain hated Abel, and slew him, because their piety
condemned his impiety. In the mystery of Providence such men
sometimes prosper for a time; but the Lord has righteous
purposes in permitting such events, part of which may now be
made out, and the rest will be seen hereafter.
19594
#12-20 A warning from God was sent to Jehoram. The Spirit of
prophecy might direct Elijah to prepare this writing in the
foresight of Jehoram's crimes. He is plainly told that his sin
should certainly ruin him. But no marvel that sinners are not
frightened from sin, and to repentance, by the threatenings of
misery in another world, when the certainty of misery in this
world, the sinking of their estates, and the ruin of their
health, will not restrain them from vicious courses. See Jehoram
here stripped of all his comforts. Thus God plainly showed that
the controversy was with him, and his house. He had slain all
his brethren to strengthen himself; now, all his sons are slain
but one. David's house must not be wholly destroyed, like those
of Israel's kings, because a blessing was in it; that of the
Messiah. Good men may be afflicted with diseases; but to them
they are fatherly chastisements, and by the support of Divine
consolations the soul may dwell at ease, even when the body lies
in pain. To be sick and poor, sick and solitary, but especially
to be sick and in sin, sick and under the curse of God, sick and
without grace to bear it, is a most deplorable case. Wickedness
and profaneness make men despicable, even in the eyes of those
who have but little religion.