daily bible readings

God loves repentance. We have to understand this very clearly and fully. God loves repentance.  Jehoshaphat was sternly rebuked Jehu the Seer, son of Hanani in chapter 19:1-3. By all appearances, Jehoshaphat learnt his lesson and sough the Lord God Almighty.

 Jehoshaphat sought to turn the people back to God, the Lord of their forefathers. He appointed judges throughout the land and gave them the charge to judge carefully and rightly without partiality or accepting bribes. He revealed to them that they should fear the Lord and judge rightly because they were ultimately judging for God.

In Jerusalem, the home of the Temple of Yahweh, Jehoshaphat appointed Levites, Priests and heads of families to administer the Law of Yahweh and to settle disputes among the people. He warned them sternly, “You must serve faithfully and wholeheartedly in the fear of the Lord. 10 In every case that comes before you from your fellow countrymen who live in the cities—whether bloodshed or other concerns of the law, commands, decrees or ordinances—you are to warn them not to sin against the Lord; otherwise his wrath will come on you and your brothers. 11 Do this, and you will not sin… ” 2 Chronicles 19:0-11.

Jehoshaphat’s heart was changed. He had repented before the Lord and showed that repentance in his life and actions. Repentance always begins in the heart when we love God enough to agree that the Lord’s way or the Lord’s Word is right and our way and our own thoughts are wrong. This then changes the way we think about that particular issue we had to repent of. Rather than wanting to sin again or follow that pathway again, we begin to hate that sin or pathway. We learn to think about that particular issue the way God thinks about it. Then, after our head and heart have been transformed by God’s grace, our hands follow suit. Our actions change to be in line with our head and heart.

Chapter 20 stands in the narrative in an interesting position. We have to ask ourselves why the chapter is put where there by the author. Nobody writes history (or any other publication, for that matter) with a total unbiased viewpoint. The Chronicler is writing with a view point and with something to communicate.

Interestingly, God’s heart is poured out to the people and He richly blesses them with victory after we see the repentance of the king, Jehoshaphat. As soon as Jehoshaphat heard of the advancing army, rather than seeking an alliance with norther Israel or any other nation, he sought the Lord Almighty. Jehoshaphat declared a fast for all the people and they sought God together.

The penitent state of Jehoshaphat’s heart and his new found love for the Lord can be seen clearly in his prayer. “The King prayed, “O Lord, God of our fathers, are you not the God who is in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. Power and might are in your hand, and no one can withstand you. 7 O our God, did you not drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham your friend? 8 They have lived in it and have built in it a sanctuary for your Name, saying, 9 ‘If calamity comes upon us, whether the sword of judgment, or plague or famine, we will stand in your presence before this temple that bears your Name and will cry out to you in our distress, and you will hear us and save us.’ 10 “But now here are men from Ammon, Moab and Mount Seir, whose territory you would not allow Israel to invade when they came from Egypt; so they turned away from them and did not destroy them. 11 See how they are repaying us by coming to drive us out of the possession you gave us as an inheritance. 12 O our God, will you not judge them? For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you.”” 2 Chronicles 20:6–12.

God blesses Jehoshaphat with victory over the marauding enemy. He miraculously defeats them. You and I should be greatly encouraged and emboldened to repent of any sins in our life. God loves the repentant and greatly blesses those who turn away from evil towards Himself in holiness and righteousness.

Prayer:

Adoration:

• Adore God that He longs for all to repent and to come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.
• Adore God that He grants repentance.

Confession:

• Take time to confess your sins to the Lord and to ask for forgiveness

Thanks:

• Thank God that He is loving and faithful and also gracious and forgiving.
• Thank God that He will forgive you when you repent and ask for forgiveness. 

Supplication:

• Pray that the Lord God Almighty would grant repentance to those in your congregation who might be struggling with sin and temptation.
• Pray that your congregation would be known as a congregation of holiness and righteousness, of love and forgiveness.

Discussion Questions:

1. What does Jehoshaphat’s prayer teach us about God?
2. Why do you think Jehoshaphat repented?
3. Summarise what the NT teaches about repentance.