The Narrative Swings To Jehoshaphat

The Narrative Swings To Jehosaphat 

I Kings 22:42-44 NKJV

[42] Jehoshaphat was thirty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned twenty-five years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Azubah the daughter of Shilhi. [43] And he walked in all the ways of his father Asa. He did not turn aside from them, doing what was right in the eyes of the Lord. Nevertheless the high places were not taken away, for the people offered sacrifices and burned incense on the high places. [44] Also Jehoshaphat made peace with the king of Israel.

The narrative now swings to Judah, to tell the story of Jehoshaphat. He did right and even attempted to route the community of counter worship but he took major life decisions to entrench evil. Britannica explains some of those decisions , " Jehoshaphat aided Ahab in his unsuccessful attempt to recapture the city of Ramoth-gilead, joined Ahaziah in extending maritime trade, helped Jehoram in his battle with Moab, and married his son and successor, Jehoram, to Athaliah, a daughter of Ahab". Jehoshaphat is a picture of some Christians who wants to have both ways: serving the Lord and associating with the world at the same time. " Do not love the world, nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him, because all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world".( 1 John 2:15-16 ). It can't be clearer than that.

    Lusts are cravings to do evil. The lust of the flesh takes your desires and swing it out of control .The lust of the eyes wants to sacrifice everything else for what you see. The pride of life seeks to exclude God in your life accomplishments. Jehoshaphat fell for the things of the world.

   Add that to the fact that he had no motivation to remove the contrary worship centers like his father Asa did.  He revival lacked the zeal of a committed child of God. We can't serve two masters no matter how much we try. God has consistently said that He will spue such people out of His mouth( Rev.3:16 ). Our commitment to Christ must be tangible in every sphere. How do people see you? How do you see yourself? How does God see you? How is your commitment to God? Good morning.