2 Chronicles 18, Proverbs 31:1-21, Matthew 13:31-58

What God said to me – One of the purposes of scripture is to teach you and to reveal Myself and My ways to you.  You can learn much even from the accounts about people and events in the Old Testament.  Look at the story of Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, and the prophet Micaiah.  Jehoshaphat went to visit his ally by marriage, Ahab, king of Israel, and Ahab asked him to join him in a war against the king of Aram.  Jehoshaphat wisely asked Ahab to inquire of Me before he committed so Ahab brought out four hundred of his prophets – note I said “his” prophets, not Mine – and they said what they thought Ahab wanted to hear and not what I had to say.  Jehoshaphat was still unsettled so he asked if there was a prophet of Mine that could speak so Ahab brought in Micaiah with the caveat that “he never prophesies anything good concerning me.”  When Micaiah came before the two kings, although he had been warned to prophesy in agreement with the other prophets, he began by stating “what My God says, I will speak.”  He ultimately prophesied about the defeat of Israel and the death of Ahab.  Unfortunately, King Jehoshaphat listened to the four hundred prophets rather than to My one true prophet and as a result he was nearly killed in the battle and Michaiah was jailed for speaking the truth.  So, what are you to learn from this account?  First of all, there are many “false” prophets in society.  Just because someone says they are a Christian or has theological degrees doesn’t mean they really know Me or My word.  There are many who speak and preach things that are not from Me but appease their listeners and deceive them into accepting sin as normal and not abhorrent to Me.  Secondly, even though Jehoshaphat sensed something was not quite right about what Ahab’s prophets said, he still went with them and almost lost his life.  You must learn to pay attention to that “tweak” in your spirit that says something is not quite right even though it may sound good, or you can’t quite pinpoint what’s not right about it.  Trust that it is My Spirt alerting you to come to Me and My word for confirmation or to stop entirely.  Last, Michaiah spoke the truth and stood for Me and suffered for it.  You may lose or damage relationships with family and friends even though you speak the truth in love.  Walking with Me is not always easy, but you must seek My approval above all else.  Ultimately you will hear Me say “well done.”

2 Chronicles 16-17, Proverbs 30:17-33

What God said to me – In football – or in any sport for that matter – the winner is not the one who is ahead at the beginning of the game, but the one who is ahead at the end.  Spiritually there are many of My children who started off strong but then faltered as they began to depend on themselves and others rather than Me.  Look at the example of Judah’s King Asa – early on when they were attacked by a million-man army from Ethiopia, he cried out to Me knowing they had no chance, and I saved them.  But later when they were facing an invasion, Asa turned to an enemy and made a treaty through bribery.  Judah was saved, but they missed out on the blessing I had intended had they relied on Me.  I long for My children to follow Me wholeheartedly and to trust Me wholeheartedly so I can bless them.  I look for those whose heart is completely Mine so I can support them and help them in their distress – so I can build them up and encourage them.  If you want to finish well you must always be pressing on toward the mark and in the end you will hear “well done.”

2 Chronicles 14-15, Proverbs 30:1-17, Matthew 12:12-50

What God said to me – After Asa became king of Judah they had ten years of peace.  So, what did they do during this time of peace?  They went through the land and removed all the idols and cleaned it up.  They restored their cities and fortified them.  Then they were attacked.  The Ethiopians came with an army of a million men.  What was the response of Asa and the people?  They prayed and put their trust in Me and then they fought the battle.  So, follow their example.  Use the times of peace in your life to dig deep.  Root out the sin in your life and fortify and strengthen your heart and faith by studying My word and spending much time with Me.  Battles are coming – they come into everyone’s life – so don’t let down and coast in your spiritual walk.  Use this time to prepare and to strengthen and to build up your heart and faith so you are ready when the battle comes.