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Daily Devotion: 2 Chronicles 19:5-7

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2 Chronicles 19:5-7    "And he set judges in the land throughout all the fenced cities of Judah, city by city,  (6)  And said to the judges, Take heed what ye do: for ye judge not for man, but for the LORD, who is with you in the judgment.  (7)  Wherefore now let the fear of the LORD be upon you; take heed and do it: for there is no iniquity with the LORD our God, nor respect of persons, nor taking of gifts."

Jehoshaphat was reprimanded when he came back from helping the army of Israel. The Lord sent a prophet to him and, in essence, scolded him for helping those who hate God. But he also commended him for the good things Jehoshaphat had done. It was at that point that Jehoshaphat went throughout Judah to encourage, exhort, and direct the people into the ways of the Lord. No, he was not a Levite. He was not a priest. He was not a prophet. But his heart was set upon the Lord and wanted what was best for his people.

As he went through the cities of Judah, he appointed judges in the land. As he appointed the judges, he told them that they were not there for men, but for the Lord who would direct them in their judgments. He warned them not to take gifts nor to respect the position, power, wealth, or influence of any individual. All were to be treated equally and justly according to the law of God.

As I think on these things, my mind asks: "Was Jehoshaphat a perfect man?" The answer, of course, is no he was not. But as Jehu, the prophet, told him, "He had prepared his heart to seek God."  There are no perfect people on the face of the earth. There has only been one who walked in perfection. His name is Jesus. But God uses imperfect people in His kingdom to bring His glory into our focus.  

Let us pray for our leaders that their hearts would be set to seek the way of our Lord God.

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