Monday, January 25th, 2010

Day 16

Here is a phrase i ran across this morning and believe it will be good for us to think about … “Heaviness drains worship out of your life.”   Heaviness, Burdens, Worry, Fear (Use any word you like) drains worship out of your life.  Now let’s consider applying it to church.  There is nothing worse than a Spirit filled church (example our services the past several weeks) that loses the attitude of praise and picks up a spirit of heaviness … Oh well this has to be done, or let’s focus on this.  NO!  that takes the focus off of God.  God desires our praise more than our church attendance.  That is not to say we should forsake assembling together as a corporate body.  But our times together, as well as our time alone, should be to glorify and praise our Mighty God!  

2 Chronicles 20:2-3 says, “Some men came and told Jehoshaphat, A vast army is coming against you from Edom, from the other side of the Sea.  It is already in Hazazon Tamar  (that is, En Gedi).   Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the Lord, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah.” (NIV)

 Now King Jehoshaphat had just gotten the kingdom of Judah in order.  Things were going well.  No sooner did they start enjoying that peace when they heard that an army – way larger than they could defeat on their own – was already on the way.  Anyone feel like you stated getting things right, maybe the kingdom is setting in order, life is getting better, Church is going great, things are going well … and here comes an army!  Jehoshaphat could have said, Oh, well it was good for a short time and just died under a spirit of heaviness, the Bible said he was “Alarmed” Scared, Afraid … but he didn’t stay there.  He shouldn’t stay there and neither should you!  Why?  Remember our base verse for our series … God hath not given us a Spirit of Fear, but of Power, and of love, and a sound mind.

 King Jehoshaphat immediately set himself and the people of Judah to seek the Lord through Fasting and Prayer!  Then the story continues in verse 17, “… Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. (Fearless) Go out to face them tomorrow, (Like we said Yesterday “Pick a Fight”) and the Lord will be with you.” (NIV)  I don’t know about you but realizing that the Lord was going to destroy my enemies would make me pretty confidant!

 And look what the people did in verse 21, “ … as they went out at the head of the army, saying: Give thanks to the Lord, for his love endures forever.” (NIV)  Folks whatever your Heaviness is today, Whatever that thing is you think you can’t live without, you’ve got that white knuckle grip on and it is just draining you, Don’t be afraid, alarmed, or discouraged the Lord is with you and His love endures forever …  LET IT GO and PRASIE HIM!

Be Blessed,

PJ