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Daily Devotion: 2 Chronicles 17:1-6

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2 Chronicles 17:1-6    "And Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his stead, and strengthened himself against Israel.  (2)  And he placed forces in all the fenced cities of Judah, and set garrisons in the land of Judah, and in the cities of Ephraim, which Asa his father had taken.  (3)  And the LORD was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the first ways of his father David, and sought not unto Baalim;  (4)  But sought to the LORD God of his father, and walked in his commandments, and not after the doings of Israel.  (5)  Therefore the LORD stablished the kingdom in his hand; and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents; and he had riches and honour in abundance.  (6)  And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the LORD: moreover he took away the high places and groves out of Judah."

 
King Asa had died and his son was now king. I admit Jehoshaphat is one of my favorite kings of Judah. There is much to be said about him.  Like every other human being, he had his ups and downs in life. He had times when he was walking with the Lord and he had times when he listened to the world and was influenced by those things. But as we look at him, we will see that all in all, he was a man who sought after the Lord.

His reign certainly begins on a high note. His father had been a successful king for the most part. He had removed the idols but had left the groves, or hidden places, where the people would resort. Jehoshaphat removed those places. We won't go verse by verse in chapter 17, but if you take time to read that chapter you will see that the king took care of his people both in the natural and spiritual realm.  He sent princes and Levites into the various cities to teach the people. It seems he provided education for them in both the things of natural life and the things of the law of God. They took the book of the law of God with them and taught the things of God. As a result, the nation became strong and became well respected by the surrounding nations. Jehoshaphat showed great wisdom in doing this.

Then Jehoshaphat sent garrisons of his army throughout the land. He positioned them in Jerusalem and round about. He provided protection for the people. There is no doubt that the people of Judah loved Jehoshaphat, plus the people of Israel (including King Ahab), and even the Philistines respected him and brought gifts to him.

I bring out all those things to show a great truth that was presented a few generations before by the wise man Solomon.  "When a man's ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him." (Proverbs 16:7) In our text verses, we see the results given to Jehoshaphat by the Lord. His kingdom was established and His heart was lifted up in the ways of the Lord.  If we have ever felt the presence of the Lord to be so close that our hearts seemed like they would burst, we can understand the impact of these results. When we know we are in the path of pleasing God, everything is good in our world even if turmoil is all around. 

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