Bible League: Living His Word Amaziah asked the man of God, “But what about all that silver I paid to hire the army of Israel?” The man of God replied, “The LORD is able to give you much more than this!”— 2 Chronicles 25:9 NLT Amaziah was 25 years old when he became the king of Judah. As soon as he gained the throne, he began the process of organizing his army. His plan was to attack the Edomites. He took a census and found that he had 300,000 select troops. He decided it was not enough and, consequently, he paid 7,500 pounds of silver to hire 100,000 experienced fighting men from the Northern Kingdom of Israel (2 Chronicles 25:5-6). The Lord didn’t like the fact that Amaziah had hired the Israelites. So, He sent a man of God, a prophet, to warn him. The prophet said, “Your Majesty, do not hire troops from Israel, for the LORD is not with Israel. He will not help those people of Ephraim! If you let them go with your troops into battle, you will be defeated by the enemy no matter how well you fight. God will overthrow you, for he has the power to help you or to trip you up.” (2 Chronicles 25:7-8). That’s when Amaziah asked the prophet, “But what about all that silver I paid to hire the army of Israel?” The prophet replied, “The LORD is able to give you much more than this!” Amaziah was obedient and he discharged the hired troops and sent them back to Israel. He then went out without them and defeated the Edomites in battle. (2 Chronicles 25:10-12). Like Amaziah, maybe you’ve taken steps in a direction that you thought was right. You organized your effort and took stock of what you had and what you didn’t have. As a result of this, you decided to make a heavy investment in the effort. The problem, however, was that the Lord was not happy with your plan. He had other plans for you. What do you do now about the investment? What about all the time and money you’ve spent? Does it make any sense to just throw it away? The message in our verse for today is simple. It’s more important to obey the Lord. He’s more than able to make up for anything you lose as a result of being obedient to Him. Bible in a Year Old Testament ReadingLeviticus 15, 16, 17 Leviticus 15 -- Cleansing Unhealthy Discharges NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Leviticus 16 -- The Day of Atonement NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Leviticus 17 -- Blood Designated for Atonement, Forbidden as Food NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB New Testament Reading Matthew 27:1-31 Matthew 27 -- Judas Hangs Himself; Jesus' Trial, Crucifixion and Burial NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Reading Plan Courtesy of Christian Classics Etherial Library. Tyndale Life Application Daily Devotion The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my savior;my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety. I called on the LORD, who is worthy of praise, and he saved me from my enemies. Insight God's protection of his people is limitless and can take many forms. David characterized God's care with five military symbols. God is like (1) a rock that can't be moved by any who would harm us, (2) a fortress or place of safety where the enemy can't follow, (3) a shield that comes between us and harm, (4) a horn of salvation—a symbol of might and power, and (5) a stronghold high above our enemies. Challenge If you need protection, look to God. Morning and Evening by Spurgeon 1 John 3:1,2 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God."Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us." Consider who we were, and what we feel ourselves to be even now when corruption is powerful in us, and you will wonder at our adoption. Yet we are called "the sons of God." What a high relationship is that of a son, and what privileges it brings! What care and tenderness the son expects from his father, and what love the father feels towards the son! But all that, and more than that, we now have through Christ. As for the temporary drawback of suffering with the elder brother, this we accept as an honor: "Therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not." We are content to be unknown with him in his humiliation, for we are to be exalted with him. "Beloved, now are we the sons of God." That is easy to read, but it is not so easy to feel. How is it with your heart this morning? Are you in the lowest depths of sorrow? Does corruption rise within your spirit, and grace seem like a poor spark trampled under foot? Does your faith almost fail you? Fear not, it is neither your graces nor feelings on which you are to live: you must live simply by faith on Christ. With all these things against us, now--in the very depths of our sorrow, wherever we may be--now, as much in the valley as on the mountain, "Beloved, now are we the sons of God." "Ah, but," you say, "see how I am arrayed! my graces are not bright; my righteousness does not shine with apparent glory." But read the next: "It doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him." The Holy Spirit shall purify our minds, and divine power shall refine our bodies; then shall we see him as he is. Daily Light on the Daily Path Ezekiel 1:26 Now above the expanse that was over their heads there was something resembling a throne, like lapis lazuli in appearance; and on that which resembled a throne, high up, was a figure with the appearance of a man.1 Timothy 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, Philippians 2:7,8 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. • Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Hebrews 2:14 Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, Revelation 1:18 and the living One; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of death and of Hades. Romans 6:9 knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, is never to die again; death no longer is master over Him. John 6:62 "What then if you see the Son of Man ascending to where He was before? Ephesians 1:20 which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, Colossians 2:9 For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, 2 Corinthians 13:4 For indeed He was crucified because of weakness, yet He lives because of the power of God. For we also are weak in Him, yet we will live with Him because of the power of God directed toward you. New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org. |
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