Day 842: 2 Chronicles 17- Heart Focus

 Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his place and strengthened himself against Israel. 2 He placed forces in all the fortified cities of Judah and set garrisons in the land of Judah, and in the cities of Ephraim that Asa his father had captured. 3 The Lord was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the earlier ways of his father David. He did not seek the Baals, 4 but sought the God of his father and walked in his commandments, and not according to the practices of Israel. 5 Therefore the Lordestablished the kingdom in his hand. And all Judah brought tribute to Jehoshaphat, and he had great riches and honor. 6 His heart was courageous in the ways of the Lord. And furthermore, he took the high places and the Asherim out of Judah.
7 In the third year of his reign he sent his officials, Ben-hail, Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethanel, and Micaiah, to teach in the cities of Judah; 8 and with them the Levites, Shemaiah, Nethaniah, Zebadiah, Asahel, Shemiramoth, Jehonathan, Adonijah, Tobijah, and Tobadonijah; and with these Levites, the priests Elishama and Jehoram. 9 And they taught in Judah, having the Book of the Law of the Lord with them. They went about through all the cities of Judah and taught among the people.
10 And the fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that were around Judah, and they made no war against Jehoshaphat. 11 Some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and silver for tribute, and the Arabians also brought him 7,700 rams and 7,700 goats.12 And Jehoshaphat grew steadily greater. He built in Judah fortresses and store cities, 13 and he had large supplies in the cities of Judah. He had soldiers, mighty men of valor, in Jerusalem. 14 This was the muster of them by fathers' houses: Of Judah, the commanders of thousands: Adnah the commander, with 300,000 mighty men of valor; 15 and next to him Jehohanan the commander, with 280,000; 16 and next to him Amasiah the son of Zichri, a volunteer for the service of the Lord, with 200,000 mighty men of valor. 17 Of Benjamin: Eliada, a mighty man of valor, with 200,000 men armed with bow and shield; 18 and next to him Jehozabad with 180,000 armed for war. 19 These were in the service of the king, besides those whom the king had placed in the fortified cities throughout all Judah.

Meditation
The redemption of Christ renews the focus of our hearts. Paul writes to the Colossian church, “If you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God” (Colossians 3:20). God’s grace should set our gaze on God’s glorious rule and reign.
 
Jehoshaphat may have had an unfortunate name but he definitely had a “courageous heart” (6). Following the fumble of his father Asa, Jehoshaphat “sought the God of his father David” (3). The king removed false gods and false places of worship and restored Scripture as central to society. Courageous hearts seek to serve the Lord alone by removing obstacles and restoring His authority.
 
An innovative feature of Jehoshaphat’s reign is his deployment of teachers to expand knowledge and obedience to God’s word (7-9). Jehoshaphat “sent his officials” (7) throughout Judah through organizing itinerant teaching. Fear fell on Israel’s enemies, resulting in peace internally and tribute externally. The “teaching among the people” fueled the experience of God’s covenant blessings.
 
Courageous hearts for Christians focus on our King and His Kingdom. With Jehoshaphat, we must remove hurdles in our hearts that are distractions, and restore God’s word as our foundation. The finished work of Christ frees us to focus on Jesus, seeking the things that are above, courageously living for Christ in a contentious world. Redemption ensures that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ (Romans 8:31-39), so a right response is to courageously refocus our hearts on our King and His authority.
 
Richly Dwelling
-What stands out to you about the “courageous heart” of king Jehoshaphat?
 
-Where are places the king could have focused? What are hurdles for your heart, distractions that delude you seeking King Jesus and rejoicing in the authority of His word?
 
-Ask the Lord to reveal idols of your heart and to help you focus on Christ, seeking the things that are above. Make note of what the Spirit reveals and take time today to intentionally apply the gospel for freedom.

​Key Verses
6 His heart was courageous in the ways of the Lord. And furthermore, he took the high places and the Asherim out of Judah.