2 Chronicles 19
Scripture:
4 Jehoshaphat lived in Jerusalem, and he went out again among the people from Beersheba to the hill country of Ephraim and turned them back to the LORD, the God of their fathers.
5 He appointed judges in the land, in each of the fortified cities of Judah.
6 He told them, “Consider carefully what you do, because you are not judging for man but for the LORD, who is with you whenever you give a verdict.
7 Now let the fear of the LORD be upon you. Judge carefully, for with the LORD our God there is no injustice or partiality or bribery.”
8 In Jerusalem also, Jehoshaphat appointed some of the Levites, priests and heads of Israelite families to administer the law of the LORD and to settle disputes. And they lived in Jerusalem.
9 He gave them these orders: “You must serve faithfully and wholeheartedly in the fear of the LORD.
Observation:
Outside the normal disagreements over which football team is better, most of us will not be put in a place of judging or settling disputes between two differing parties. This verse, however, has a great lesson for us concerning the advice we give others as they are making decisions in their life. Verse 6 gives us instruction for giving advice as a Spirit-Empowered Man and a representative of the Lord, “consider carefully what you do, because you are not judging [advising] for man but for the LORD, who is with you whenever you give a verdict [recommendation].” The most important course of action, in any decision, is the Lord’s Will being fulfilled. This is accomplished when we trust the leading of the Holy Spirit and respond to the voice of the Lord. This passage warns us from allowing injustice, partiality, or bribery to cloud our judgment. This can also be a warning to avoid any influence from the surrounding situations, circumstances, or personal preferences. Remember, when we are helping people determine what’s next, “you must serve faithfully and wholeheartedly in the fear of the LORD” (vs. 9).
Application:
- Personal Application: Seek the Lord when someone trusts you for advice and anytime you offer help to others. In addition, take any advice you receive from others as secondary to the voice of the Lord.
- Family Devotional: Read this passage to your family. Help them understand that when a decision needs to be made in their life that the most important thing they can do is seek the Lord. When needed, find Godly advice from someone who is trusted by the family. Talk about people who you trust to give advice to your family in those moments when they want to talk to someone other than dad. Pray with your family.
Prayer:
- Personal Prayer Focus: Ask God for wisdom in decision making and helping others determine His will for their lives.
- Family Prayer Focus: Pray that your family will listen to the voice of the Lord over the voice of Man and always seek Godly counsel in times of uncertainty.
Three Year Reading Plan for Sunday, September 13 – Sunday, September 20:
- Sunday, September 13: 2 Chronicles 16
- Monday, September 14: 2 Chronicles 17
- Tuesday, September 15: 2 Chronicles 18
- Wednesday, September 16: 2 Chronicles 19
- Thursday, September 17: 2 Chronicles 20
- Friday, September 18: 2 Chronicles 21
- Saturday, September 19: 2 Chronicles 22
- Sunday, September 20: 2 Chronicles 23
—TOM GROOT is National Director of Men’s Ministry and Christian Education. Connect with Tom on Facebook or Twitter @TomGrootJr.
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