The Joy of Relying on the Lord

 

2 Chronicles 13; Haggai 1; John 2; Revelation 3

At a time when Israel was divided into two kingdoms, the people of Israel and the people of Judah went to war. Judah were greatly outnumbered but their leader declared their allegiance to and reliance upon the Lord in contrast to Israel’s idolatry. He then said:

But as for us, the Lord is our God, and we have not forsaken him. We have priests ministering to the Lord who are sons of Aaron, and Levites for their service. They offer to the Lord every morning and every evening burnt offerings and incense of sweet spices, set out the showbread on the table of pure gold, and care for the golden lampstand that its lamps may burn every evening. For we keep the charge of the Lord our God, but you have forsaken him. Behold, God is with us at our head, and his priests with their battle trumpets to sound the call to battle against you. O sons of Israel, do not fight against the Lord, the God of your fathers, for you cannot succeed.” (2 Chronicles 13:10–12)

Israel then set up an ambush, but Judah cried to the Lord and “God defeated Jeroboam and all Israel before Abijah and Judah” and their army fled. “Thus the men of Israel were subdued at that time, and the men of Judah prevailed, because they relied on the Lord, the God of their fathers.” (2 Chronicles 13:18)

Many years later, after the Jewish exiles returned from Babylon to Jerusalem, they began to rebuild the temple but gave up until Haggai and Zechariah spoke to them about their “me first” lives. They were living in nice homes; why should the house of the Lord lie in ruins? Even so, their efforts to live in prosperity did not satisfy them.

Now, therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts: Consider your ways. You have sown much and harvested little. You eat, but you never have enough; you drink, but you never have your fill. You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm. And he who earns wages does so to put them into a bag with holes. (Haggai 1:5–6)

God’s people realized the truth in what the Lord said and “feared the Lord” so He said to them:

“I am with you, declares the Lord.” And the Lord stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people. And they came and worked on the house of the Lord of hosts, their God. (Haggai 1:13–14)

These people realized, at least for a time, that obedience to God brought greater blessing than doing their own thing.

After a few hundred years, Jesus came. Dying for our sin, rising from the dead, returning to glory and sending the Holy Spirit to give those who believe the same responsibilities with a difference. Our choices still involve living for the Lord and allowing Him to rebuild our lives or living for ourselves, being more concerned that we can live in pleasure and worship whatever we please. God’s answer is the same: Rely on the Him and respond in obedience to as He stirs up our hearts to keep building our lives according to His plan.

With this big picture in mind, the first miracle Jesus performed shows something about God’s plan; the delights of a wedding celebration are part of what it means to let Him rule my life.

After this, Jesus also cleansed the temple, driving out money-changers who had moved from the perimeter into the place of worship. His disciples wanted to know what drove Him to do this. He told them this was about the purpose of His temple, not for greedy gain but for worship. (John 2).

Much later, John again wrote about Jesus and the desire He has for His people to keep our lives (temples) clean from sin and free from division and infighting. In Revelation, Jesus wrote to the churches and to all who believe:

“I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God. Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent . . . . I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name . . . . Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent.” (Revelation 3)

APPLY: God says rely on Me, not your own strength. Build your life on My principles, not on your desires. Keep your life free from “me first” and obey My Word. I will turn ordinary things into joy as you worship Me. Today bodes ‘ordinary’ — it will be interesting to see what Christ does with it!