Faithful Heart for God

2 Chronicles 17:1-19 

    1 Then Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his place, and strengthened himself against Israel. 2 And he placed troops in all the fortified cities of Judah, and set garrisons in the land of Judah and in the cities of Ephraim which Asa his father had taken. 3 Now the LORD was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the former 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 acts of Israel. 5 Therefore the LORD established the kingdom in his hand; and all Judah gave presents to Jehoshaphat, and he had riches and honor in abundance. 6 And his heart took delight in the ways of the LORD; moreover he removed the high places and wooden images from Judah.

    7 Also in the third year of his reign he sent his leaders, Ben-Hail, Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethanel, and Michaiah, to teach in the cities of Judah. 8 And with them he sent Levites: Shemaiah, Nethaniah, Zebadiah, Asahel, Shemiramoth, Jehonathan, Adonijah, Tobijah, and Tobadonijah—the Levites; and with them Elishama and Jehoram, the priests. 9 So they taught in Judah, and had the Book of the Law of the LORD with them; they went throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people.

    10 And the fear of the LORD fell on all the kingdoms of the lands that were around Judah, so that they did not make war against Jehoshaphat. 11 Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and silver as tribute; and the Arabians brought him flocks, seven thousand seven hundred rams and seven thousand seven hundred male goats.

    12 So Jehoshaphat became increasingly powerful, and he built fortresses and storage cities in Judah. 13 He had much property in the cities of Judah; and the men of war, mighty men of valor, were in Jerusalem.

    14 These are their numbers, according to their fathers' houses. Of Judah, the captains of thousands: Adnah the captain, and with him three hundred thousand mighty men of valor; 15 and next to him was Jehohanan the captain, and with him two hundred and eighty thousand; 16 and next to him was Amasiah the son of Zichri, who willingly offered himself to the LORD, and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valor. 17 Of Benjamin: Eliada a mighty man of valor, and with him two hundred thousand men armed with bow and shield; 18 and next to him was Jehozabad, and with him one hundred and eighty thousand prepared for war. 19 These served the king, besides those the king put in the fortified cities throughout all Judah.

Jehoshaphat was a king who was a man after God’s own heart as was his ancestor king David.  He was of that lineage of promise leading to the Messiah, the Christ, who would rule forever in righteousness in the kingdom without end as promised and prophesied.  This ruler first fortified Judah against Israel’s threats, then destroyed the high places of pagan worship and unclean strange fire.  He sought to follow God according to His word as commanded, but with a fully willing heart that would not stop in adversity, as opposed to those following out of rote and forced obedience.  He took delight in following God, which resulted in the riches of honor as well as the material, for it is written, “those who honor Me I will honor” (1 Samuel 2:30, John 12:26).  God established His rule in Judah because of his heart for Him demonstrated by his life lived in a pleasing and honoring manner.  He sent his leaders and priests to to all the cities to teach the word of the LORD.  He also became powerful with Judah as he built up the army and successfully defended the people of God’s choosing.  We learn much from the example of Jehoshaphat, a fellow man after God’s own heart as his distant father David.  We learn willing and joyful love of God’s word and following the Lord in obedience to Him through living accordingly.  We see how honoring God is the basis of Him honoring us, not for earning grace, but as a result of a changed life set on following Him and His word faithfully and teaching others the same.  This is making likeminded disciples of Christ who imitate us as we imitate Him (1 Corinthians 11:1).  May we have such a faithful heart for God!