Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room
December 19, 2023
2 Chronicles 20:13-22
13 All Judah was standing before the LORD, even their little ones, wives, and children. 14 Then the LORD’s spirit came upon Jahaziel, son of Zechariah, son of Benaiah, son of Jeiel, son of Mattaniah, a Levite of the line of Asaph, as he stood in the middle of the assembly. 15 “Pay attention, all of Judah, every inhabitant of Jerusalem, and King Jehoshaphat,” Jahaziel said. “This is what the LORD says to you: Don’t be afraid or discouraged by this great army because the battle isn’t yours. It belongs to God! 16 March out against them tomorrow. Since they will be coming through the Ziz pass, meet them at the end of the valley that opens into the Jeruel wilderness. 17 You don’t need to fight this battle. Just take your places, stand ready, and watch how the LORD, who is with you, will deliver you, Judah, and Jerusalem. Don’t be afraid or discouraged! Go out tomorrow and face them. The LORD will be with you.” 18 Then Jehoshaphat bowed down with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell before the LORD in worship. 19 Levites from the lines of Kohath and Korah stood up to loudly praise the LORD, the God of Israel. 20 Early the next morning, they went into the Tekoa wilderness. When they were about to go out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Listen to me, Judah and every inhabitant of Jerusalem! Trust the LORD your God, and you will stand firm; trust his prophets and succeed!” 21 After consulting with the people, Jehoshaphat appointed musicians to play for the LORD, praising his majestic holiness. They were to march out before the warriors, saying, “Give thanks to the LORD because his faithful love lasts forever!” 22 As they broke into joyful song and praise, the LORD launched a surprise attack against the Ammonites, the Moabites, and those from Mount Seir who were invading Judah so that they were defeated.
Good Morning. Give thanks to the Lord because his faithful love lasts forever!
Trust the LORD your God, and you will stand firm;
trust his prophets and succeed!”
We are called to stand firm and trust in God. No matter what is happening around us, we are to stand like the oaks of righteousness. Sometimes, it is easier to go with the crowd than to stand up for what is right. The tough part of this is that even if we disagree with the crowd and don’t stand firm in our beliefs, we are seen as part of the crowd. Through our silence, we condone the actions of others.
In his letter to the Corinthians, Paul reminds us that Christians must 13 Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. 14 Do everything in love.
Like John the Baptizer, we might find ourselves alone in the wilderness, calling for others to come and join us in a new way of living.
Ephesians 6:13
"Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand."
Gracious God, Thank you for this beautiful gift of life. Thank you for giving us the strength to stand. We must make a choice to trust and believe in You. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: Do everything in love.
Let love be your guide! Pastor Liz
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