Written by: John Sernaque
Call to Worship
2 Chronicles 17: 3-7, 9, 10
17:3 And the LORD was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the first ways of his father David, and sought not unto Baalim;
17:4 But sought to the [LORD] God of his father, and walked in his commandments, and not after the doings of Israel.
17:5 Therefore the LORD stablished the kingdom in his hand; and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents; and he had riches and honour in abundance.
17:6 And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the LORD: moreover he took away the high places and groves out of Judah.
17:7 Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes, [even] to Benhail, and to Obadiah, and to Zechariah, and to Nethaneel, and to Michaiah, to teach in the cities of Judah.
17:9 And they taught in Judah, and [had] the book of the law of the LORD with them, and went about throughout all the cities of Judah, and taught the people.
17:10 And the fear of the LORD fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that [were] round about Judah, so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat.
Obedience Brings God’s Favor—
[2 Chronicles 17:3-7, 9, 10 quoted.] Obedience to the Lord always brings favor, and a faithful discharge of righteous principles will bear the divine credentials; but the Lord is dishonored when those who are placed as stewards of God’s flock, sustain and sanction an evil work. {3BC 1132.3}
The outward signs of fasting and prayer, without a broken and contrite spirit, are of no value in God’s sight. The inward work of grace is needed. Humiliation of soul is essential. God looks upon this. He will graciously receive those who will humble their hearts before Him. He will hear their petitions and heal their backslidings. {3BC 1132.4}
Ministers and people need the work of purification in their souls, that God’s judgments may be turned away from them. God is waiting, waiting for humiliation and repentance. He will receive all who will turn unto Him with their whole heart (Manuscript 33, 1903). {3BC 1132.5}
In faithful obedience to God, we are to give God all the glory. Paul writes in the Book of Romans: But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith: To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever. In 2 Corinthians, Paul goes on to write, Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; And having in a
readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled. In the Book of Hebrews it is written: Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him. Moses wrote in Deuteronomy: When thou art in tribulation, and all these things are come upon thee, [even] in the latter days, if thou turn to the LORD thy God, and shalt be obedient unto his voice; (For the LORD thy God [is] a merciful God;) he will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which he sware unto them. Lastly, Paul writes in the Book of Philippians, And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. In all ways are we to be obedient to the Word of God, as Christ Jesus was unto death. To be obedient is to be submissive- submit yourself therefore to God, resist the devil and he will flee from you. Trust and obey, for there is no other way, to be happy in Jesus, trust and obey.
Our kind and gracious Heavenly Father,
We come before You in thanksgiving, prayer, and praise. We thank You for Your love and compassion towards Your children. We are so grateful and thankful for all the blessings showered down upon us from heaven. We praise You and give all the glory to You as our creator. We thank You for Your commandments given to us from on High. We faithfully pray to walk in Your ways in total obedience to You. We would rather follow You in obedience than the ways of the sinful world. Satan is a wily foe. We pray for wisdom, understanding, and discernment to be able to resist the devil that he would flee from us. We submit ourselves to You in every way, our entire life and being we surrender unto You. We pray that all our brothers and sisters remove the idols in their life and cast them into the fire. Help us to go out, teach, and preach to the whole world what it is to surrender, to be obedient, and submit their life to You. Help all the missionaries that are doing Your work in bringing souls to the foot of Your throne. Help us to sow the seeds and water the flowers for a plentiful harvest. We pray for humility of the soul and humble our hearts before You. Heal us, dear Lord, hear our petitions, and receive us. Help us in bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. We are eternally grateful for Your sacrifice of learning obedience by the things which You suffered; And being made perfect, becoming the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey You. For humbling Yourself, becoming obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. We pray to trust and obey, for there is no other way, to be happy in Jesus. May all the glory be through Jesus Christ forever. We thank You and praise You, in the name of Christ Jesus, we pray. Amen.
