One Year Bible, July 27

2 CHRONICLES 19:1 - 20:37                                                                                            JEHOSHAPHAT'S SECOND REFORMATION: Jehu the prophet rebuked Jehoshaphat for helping the ungodly AHAB of Israel.  Jehoshaphat repented and went out himself from south to north and "brought them back to the Lord".  He also established order in the country with judges, Levites priests and chiefs, warning them to conduct their duties "in the fear of the Lord."

MOAB AND AMMON INVADE:
The prayer: To the God Who rules all the kingdoms of the earth. Now these come to DISINHERIT and DISPOSSESS. "We have no might against this great company...."

the prophecy: "Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God's"   They were to "set themselves" - take their stand, and "stand" - to be steadfast and firm. "Believe in the Lord your God, so shall you be established; - believe His prophets, so shall ye prosper (succeed)".   Believe the Word and the Revelation, remain firm, in the confident assurance of a miraculous deliverance without raising a hand. 

and the praise:  Jehoshaphat called a council of war and appointed singers to go in front of the army to animate his army and to confuse the enemy.  Hosanna warfare confuses the FLESH and conquers our enemies.  It took Judah three days to gather up all the spoil, because their enemies had killed one another.  Everyone around them knew that "the Lord fought against the enemies of Israel."

RESPONSE:   I have usually tried to fight my own battles. When that happens, there is NEVER a "winner". Everyone loses. Have you ever noticed that?

ROMANS 10:14 - 11:12                                                                                                   
Contrast Rom 10:14-17                VS                                          Rom 10:18-21.
Whosoever hears                                                                         The Jews heard
Via a preacher                                                                              From Moses and Isaiah
Faith came                                                                               Disobedient & un-persuadable.

GRACE FOR A REMNANT:  NO ONE APART FROM FAITH CAN OBTAIN THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD.   Israel has a REMNANT, NOT a nation!  Believers are partakers of the Divine nature, and unbelievers are blind and hardened like Pharaoh.  But, they still are not fallen so far they can't be recovered.

RESPONSE:   Just as God answered Elijah (1Ki 19:10, 18) that he wasn't alone in his obedience to God, neither was Paul.  There is a remnant of Jews who believe God.   This is not the "Last Days" scenario at all here!   This is about righteousness by faith alone.   Righteousness has NEVER been by works.  Even Moses and Isaiah preached that Truth.

PSALM 21:1-13                                                                                                                  
The "king" here is David, "the man after God's own heart". Some of the benefits:
God's strength - the force needed to overcome and prevail.
God's deliverance and salvation.
All my heart's desire.
All my spoken requests.
"Blessings of goodness" - more than I could ask or think.
A crown of pure gold (the right to rule - authority).
God's life, and long life.
Glory, honor and majesty - favor.
Made "exceedingly glad".
Stability in time of trouble.
Overthrow all my enemies.
God's power on my behalf.

PROVERBS 20:4-6                                                                                                     
A lazy person will use any excuse not to work. Then expects someone else to help him when he wants something! The well might be deep, but a man of understanding knows how to draw all the water up - (try joyful praise - Isa 12:2). Contrast promise and performance: a person might brag about how good he is, but does he actually come through when he's needed?

RESPONSE:   There have been times I haven't known what to do, and it feels like the counsel I need is hidden deep. Joyful praise to God for His goodness and greatness is one way to draw the wisdom and understanding we need from our spirit to our mind and heart. God wants to help us in the context of our daily lives.  He wants to know us and share our lives in the practical events of everyday life.  Be a person of understanding - draw the wisdom and counsel from the Spirit of God by orienting your day around God.