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Today is Wednesday May 26, 2010 and we are reading through the Bible in a year. Today's message comes from the reading of the Book of II Chronicles, chapters 18-20. If you would like to read the chapters along with us here online you can Click Here to read them or copy & paste this link onto your browser: http://www.readytofollow.com/bible-may-26
Title: Bible Study: Standing Firm For God
As Christians we are going to face many trials just for being a Christian,on top of that our faith is going to be tested, not only from God, but Satan as well. The stronger we are in our faith the more Satan will try to get us to fall. While it is important for him to keep the lost lost it is more important for him to get strong Christians away from God as they are the strength and drive that keeps the lost found. We were all at one time lost, unknown to Jesus and heading straight for hell, but praise God He has found us and we are now saved from our sins and hell because of our faith in Him. Praise God! While Satan can try to pull us down and has even gotten some strong Christians to fall away from God, he can not take away their salvation. No one can, all who have accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior are saved for eternity. Praise God! However, it is important that we as Christians stand firm in our faith in God and Jesus Christ, and not be ashamed of it regardless of any circumstance or uncompromising situation. We must not let the world or any person make us hide or compromise our faith in God and His Word to satisfy their needs or egos.
Micaiah, a prophet living in the Northern Kingdom, was put in prison because king Ahab did not like his prophecies. When king Jehoshaphat, from the Southern Kingdom, came to meet with Ahab he inquired of a godly prophet to see whether or not it was advisable to join in alliance to war against Ramothgilead. “Now Jehoshaphat had riches and honour in abundance, and joined affinity with Ahab. And after certain years he went down to Ahab to Samaria. And Ahab killed sheep and oxen for him in abundance, and for the people that he had with him, and persuaded him to go up with him to Ramothgilead. And Ahab king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat king of Judah, Wilt thou go with me to Ramothgilead? And he answered him, I am as thou art, and my people as thy people; and we will be with thee in the war. And Jehoshaphat said unto the king of Israel, Enquire, I pray thee, at the word of the LORD to day. Therefore the king of Israel gathered together of prophets four hundred men, and said unto them, Shall we go to Ramothgilead to battle, or shall I forbear? And they said, Go up; for God will deliver it into the king's hand. But Jehoshaphat said, Is there not here a prophet of the LORD besides, that we might enquire of him? And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, There is yet one man, by whom we may enquire of the LORD: but I hate him; for he never prophesied good unto me, but always evil: the same is Micaiah the son of Imla. And Jehoshaphat said, Let not the king say so. And the king of Israel called for one of his officers, and said, Fetch quickly Micaiah the son of Imla.” - II Chronicles 18:1-8. Jehoshaphat was not confident in the four hundred false prophets, he wanted to hear from a godly prophet. We are going to be surrounded by people claiming to know God's Word, but it is important that we seek out the one that is godly, who knows and follows the true Word of God.
When the guard went to get Micaiah he tried to convince him to lie to the kings and agree with the other prophets. “And the messenger that went to call Micaiah spake to him, saying, Behold, the words of the prophets declare good to the king with one assent; let thy word therefore, I pray thee, be like one of their's, and speak thou good. And Micaiah said, As the LORD liveth, even what my God saith, that will I speak. And when he was come to the king, the king said unto him, Micaiah, shall we go to Ramothgilead to battle, or shall I forbear? And he said, Go ye up, and prosper, and they shall be delivered into your hand. And the king said to him, How many times shall I adjure thee that thou say nothing but the truth to me in the name of the LORD? Then he said, I did see all Israel scattered upon the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd: and the LORD said, These have no master; let them return therefore every man to his house in peace. And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, Did I not tell thee that he would not prophesy good unto me, but evil?” - II Chronicles 17:12-17. Micaiah boldly foretold that Ahab would not return alive from that war, he stood by his faith in God and did not compromise the truth even if that meant he had to remain in prison. Incidentally, this prophecy is a foreshadow of the coming Messiah who would be the shepherd that would find the lost sheep. Micaiah did get sent back to prison, but that did not change the fact that the prophecy would be fulfilled. Ahab was killed on the first day of battle. Ignoring the truth does not change a situation. The only way to change a situation is to put your faith and trust in God and let Him guide you. He will tell you what you need to do.
Jehoshaphat made a serious mistake when he associated with Ahab, the idol-worshiping king of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. Because of his alliance with Ahab they were about to face a battle of their own, however, once he got right with God and sought His guidance Jerusalem was saved. “And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. And Judah gathered themselves together, to ask help of the LORD: even out of all the cities of Judah they came to seek the LORD. And Jehoshaphat stood in the congregation of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the LORD, before the new court,...Then upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite of the sons of Asaph, came the Spirit of the LORD in the midst of the congregation; And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the LORD unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God's.” - II Chronicles 20:3-5,14,15. God may become angry and chastise us for disobeying Him, but He is merciful and forgiving and always there to help. We all make mistakes and even have days and even weeks when our faith is in God is not as strong, but that is when God is calling on us to seek and find peace and guidance through Him. The battle is the Lord's and when we seek Him we can not be defeated and if we are will always come back even stronger.
Many strong Christians may have gotten lost in the world, another religion, or became bitter over something and left the comforts of God, but they are still children of God and have eternal life with God. Praise God! We have to realize that we are in a daily battle within ourselves, a battle between the Spirit and the flesh, sometimes the flesh is so full of anger and hurt that it has just buried the Spirit to the point that is no longer realizes it's there. However, the truth is that the Spirit of God is always within the saved and I will tell you what, every person who has walked away from God and has passed away is thanking and praising God right now for that gift of eternal life, even if they are cleaning bathrooms up in heaven it is better than burning for eternity in hell. While we await our wonderful mansion in heaven it is important to be an example to weaker Christians and especially to the lost. How are the lost going to know the importance of knowing Jesus if they can not see the one and only living God changing the lives of those who do know Him? “Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.” - I Peter 5:2-4. Jesus is coming back and the only way we are going to be able to distinguish Him from the anti-christ is by knowing Him personally. So, stand firm in your faith, never compromise with the world or even with others who say they are Christians, and seek the Lord daily to keep renewing and increasing your faith in Him.
Enjoy the rest of your day/night and God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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