You Are The One We're Living For
“The Spirit of God came upon Azariah the son of Oded, and he went out to meet Asa and said to him, “Here me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin: The Lord is with you while you are with him. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will forsake you. For a long time Israel was without the true God, and without a teaching priest and without law, but when in their distress they turned to the Lord, the God of Israel, and sought him, he was found by them. In those times there was no peace to him who went out or to him who came in, for great disturbances afflicted all the inhabitants of the lands. They were broken in pieces. Nation was crushed by nation and city by city, for God troubled them with every sort of distress. But you, take courage! Do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded.” (2 Chronicles 15:1-7)
Words Henry Varley spoke to D. L. Moody at a young age that had tremendous impact on his life were: “It remains to be seen what God will do with… the man who is fully consecrated to Him.”1
Rehoboam, Ahijah, Asa, and Jehoshaphat all had two things in common. First, they reigned in Judah for a period of time. Second, they all chose whose kingdom they would serve (their own or Gods). Their choices significantly impacted the people of God in how they followed after God and the resulting fruit or consequences.
Rehoboam chose to abandon God and do what is evil, “for he did not set his heart to seek the Lord.” (2 Chronicles 12:14). Because of his unfaithfulness to the Lord, Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem (2 Chron. 12:2). Shemaiah the prophet told Rehoboam and the princes, “Thus says the Lord, 'You abandoned me, so I have abandoned you to the hand of Shishak” (2 Chron 12:5). Because they humbled themselves and repented, God had mercy on them and they were spared. But they were made servants, while their conditions were good.
Abijam also chose to walk in the sins of his father before him “and his heart was not wholly true to the Lord his God, as the heart of David his father” (1 Kings 15:3). However, Abijam, while not whole hearted, chose to rely upon God in war. Under Abijam's leadership, the men of Judah prevailed against all Israel (an army double their size) because they relied upon the Lord while Israel had forsaken Him completely (2 Chron. 14:11-12,18).
Asa chose to use his kingship to serve God rather than his own kingdom (1 Kings 15:11). “He put away the male cult prostitutes out of the land and removed all the idols that his fathers had made. He also removed Maacah his mother from being queen mother because she had made an abominable image for Asherah... But the high places were not taken away. Nevertheless, the heart of Asa was wholly true to the Lord all his days” (1 Kings 15:12-14a).
Under Asa's leadership, the people, including great numbers who deserted Israel and were residing with them, “entered into a covenant to seek the Lord, the God of their fathers, with all their hearts and with all their soul...And all Judah rejoiced over the oath, for their had sworn with all their heart and had sought him with their whole desire, and he was found by them, and the Lord gave them rest all around” (2 Chronicles 15:9,12,15).
However, in the thirty-sixth year of Asa's reign, he relied on the king of Syria instead of the Lord. When Baasha, king of Israel came against him. The Lord sent a prophet to rebuke him. The prophet told him, Because you relied on the king of Syria and did not rely on the Lord your God, the army of the king of Syria has escaped you. Were not the Ethiopians and the Libyans a huge army with very many horsemen? Yet because you relied on the Lord, he gave them into your hand. For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless towards him. You have done foolishly in this, for from now on you will have wars” (2 Chronicles 16:9).
Jehoshaphat chose to walk in the earlier ways of Asa his father: He sought God and walked in his commandments (2 Chron. 17:3-4). “Therefore the Lord established the kingdom in his hand. And all Judah brought tribute to Jehoshaphat, and he had great riches and honor. His heart was courageous in the ways of the Lord. And furthermore, he took the high places and the Asherim out of Judah” (2 Chron. 17:5-6).
As a result of his leadership in serving the Lord rather than his own kingdom, “the fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that were around Judah, and they made no war against Jehoshaphat” (2 Chron. 17:10).
However, Jehoshaphat went against the Lord when he chose to help Ahab in war. A prophet was sent to him and said, “Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the Lord? Because of this, wrath has gone out against you from the Lord. Nevertheless, some good is found in you, for you destroyed the Asherahs out of the land, and have set your heart to seek God” (2 Chron. 19:2-3).
Later, a great army from Edom came against Jehoshaphat and all of Judah. Jehoshaphat prayed to God and encouraged the people as they went out to battle, “Believe in the Lord your God, and you will be established; believe his prophets, and you will succeed.”
The Edom army proceeded to turn against one another. They destroyed one another and left the spoil for Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah to gather. After that, “the fear of God came on all the kingdoms of the countries when they heard that the Lord had fought against the enemies of Israel” and God gave them rest on all sides (2 Chron. 20:29-30).
So what can I learn from this?
Leaders Actions Are The Result of Their Belief About God
Chip Ingram, in his book “Good to Great in God's Eyes” writes, “The truth is that a mind flourishing with deep truths of God is a powerful tool in his hands. Conversely, it simply isn't possible to have a mind filled with flawed, pessimistic, cynical thinking and live an influential, fruitful life for the kingdom of God.”2
David was a king who had a very large God. God was larger than life and the air he breathed. He also saw himself as the beloved of God. Because of this, his decisions flowed out of how he saw God and his relationship with him. He anticipated God's help in battle and saw God's hand in discipline, famine and difficulties.
“Yah, He loves us. Oh how He loves us. Oh how He loves”
Dallas Willard writes, “The single most important thing in our mind is our idea of God and the images associated with it.” He states, “Ideas and images can be a stronghold of evil in the human self and society. They determine how we understand the things and events of ordinary life, and they can blind us to what lies plainly before us.”3
As Dallas Willard notes, Satan tempted Eve with the idea that God could not be trusted and that she must act on her own to secure her well-being.
One Chooses What Kingdom They Will Serve
The temptation for each of the kings, as with Saul and David, was to secure their own kingdom or to trust God. David chose to completely trust God to establish him and made no effort to secure his own kingdom. Saul, on the other hand, put all his energy and efforts into securing his own kingdom.
As CJ Mahaney wrties, authentic humility is defined as “a heart more concerned with God's glory than our own, and more intent on serving others than ourselves.” 4
“Two things he told me, You are strong and you love me. Your love is, Your love is, Your love is strong...” Humility starts with seeing the greatness of God and His love for us and then choosing to submit to it.
On the message tool for this last week's sermon at church it asks, “Dave shared that when all is said and done, every knee will bow to Jesus, whether grudgingly or joyfully. What do you think it all boils down to that makes someone do it grudgingly or joyfully?” I think it boils down to whether one sees how worthy He is and His love for us.
“Oh, how He loves us, Oh. And I realize just how beautiful You are and how great your affections are for me. Oh, how He loves us, Oh.”
Jesus committed His spirit into the Father's hands. Andrew Murray writes, “humble yourself and descend each day into that perfect, helpless dependence on God. God will raise you up and exalt you.”
Ken Blanchard and Phil Hodges write in “Lead Like Jesus” that leaders dominated by false pride are often considered controlling. Even when they don't know what they are doing, they have a high need for power and control.”5
When one spends all their energies, like Saul, in securing their own kingdom, there is no freedom. One must continually protect and secure what they have. While when one trusts in God, there is freedom to plumb the depths and heights of God's love as one puts their hands to what their heart prompts.
“All the way my Savior leads me.”
Dallas Willard writes, “To many of us it has been a new joy in the Christian life to know that we may yield ourselves as servants, as slaves to God, and to find that His service is our highest liberty -the liberty from sin and self.” 6
Paul prays for the Ephesians, “And I ask him that with both feet planted firmly on love, you'll be able to take in with all followers of Jesus the extravagant dimensions of Christ's love. Reach out and experience the breadth! Test its length! Plumb the depths! Rise to the heights! Live full lives, full in the fullness of God. God can do anything, you know -far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams!” (Ephesians 3:16-20)
“You are the love that frees us. You are the light that leads us... Son of God , You are the One, You are the One we're living for!”
Impact of a Leader's Choices
When leaders fear the Lord and serve His Kingdom rather than their own, it can have powerful impacts on the people. Proverbs 28: 12 says, “When the righteous triumph, there is great rejoicing, but when the wicked come to power, people hide themselves. And Proverbs 28:15 says, “A wicked ruler over a helpless people is like a roaring lion or a charging bear.”
David used his position in leadership to defeat the Philistines and bring the Ark to Jerusalem. Solomon, his son, used his leadership to build the Temple of God in the midst of the people. Reheoboam used his leadership to oppress the people and secure his leadership. Abijah used his leadership to (somewhat self-righteously) confront Israel for forsaking the Lord. Asa used his leadership for turning the people back to God, removing idols from the land and entering into a covenant between God and the people to seek the Lord. Jehoshaphat used his leadership to bring the people back to the Lord and establish righteous judgment in the land. He also used his leadership to establish peace with other territories.
This brings me back to the words Henry Varley spoke to D. L. Moody at a young age that had tremendous impact on his life: “It remains to be seen what God will do with… the man who is fully consecrated to Him.”
Jesus is the perfect example of what God can do with someone who is fully consecrated to God.
"Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor." (Luke 7:22)
And yet, Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father." (John 14:12)
“As my heart cries Holy I will never be the same...I could never repay all that you've done So use my life to the glory of your Son.”
Paul says in Romans 12:1-2, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
E.M. Bounds writes that “Consecration is the voluntary set dedication of one's self to God, an offering definitely made, and made without any reservation whatever. It is the setting apart of all we are, all we have, and all we expect to have or be, to God... Consecration is not so much the setting one's self apart from sinful things and wicked ends, but rather it is the separation from worldly, secular and even legitimate things, if they come in conflict with God's plans, to holy uses. It is the devoting of all we have to God for his own specific use. It is a separation from things questionable, or even legitimate, when the choice is to be made between the things of this life and the claims of God.” 7
According to one article, God is the only one who can make us holy. Our part involves separating ourselves from evil by repenting from drinking from earthly sources, and more and more turning from them and drawing near to God to drink from Him.8
“He gave us all He had to give so that we could truly live. So let's give all we have to Him so that we can be completely free”
Lord, “Come and set me free'” I long to live completely for You. You have given me so much and I long to glorify You with everything that I am and everything I have.
1. Ingrim, Chip, Good to Great in God's Eyes, http://www.amazon.com/Good-Great-Gods-Eyes-Christians/dp/080107214X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1261444694&sr=1-1#reader_080107214X
2. Ingrim, Chip, Good to Great in God's Eyes, http://www.amazon.com/Good-Great-Gods-Eyes-Christians/dp/080107214X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1261444694&sr=1-1#reader_080107214X
3. Willard, Dalls and Johnson, Jan. Renovation of the Heart in Daily Practice. NavPress, 2006.
4. Mahoney, CJ. Humility: True Greatness, Multnomah Books, Colorado Springs, CO 80921.
5. Blanchard, Ken and Hodges, Phil. Lead Like Jesus. Thomas Nelson, Nashville TN. 2008.
6. Willard, Dalls and Johnson, Jan. Renovation of the Heart in Daily Practice. NavPress, 2006.
7. http://www.worldinvisible.com/library/bounds/5bb.10595-essentials/5bb.10595.08.htm
8. http://www.tasteheavennow.net/how_to_repent/role_of_consecration.htm
Words Henry Varley spoke to D. L. Moody at a young age that had tremendous impact on his life were: “It remains to be seen what God will do with… the man who is fully consecrated to Him.”1
Rehoboam, Ahijah, Asa, and Jehoshaphat all had two things in common. First, they reigned in Judah for a period of time. Second, they all chose whose kingdom they would serve (their own or Gods). Their choices significantly impacted the people of God in how they followed after God and the resulting fruit or consequences.
Rehoboam chose to abandon God and do what is evil, “for he did not set his heart to seek the Lord.” (2 Chronicles 12:14). Because of his unfaithfulness to the Lord, Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem (2 Chron. 12:2). Shemaiah the prophet told Rehoboam and the princes, “Thus says the Lord, 'You abandoned me, so I have abandoned you to the hand of Shishak” (2 Chron 12:5). Because they humbled themselves and repented, God had mercy on them and they were spared. But they were made servants, while their conditions were good.
Abijam also chose to walk in the sins of his father before him “and his heart was not wholly true to the Lord his God, as the heart of David his father” (1 Kings 15:3). However, Abijam, while not whole hearted, chose to rely upon God in war. Under Abijam's leadership, the men of Judah prevailed against all Israel (an army double their size) because they relied upon the Lord while Israel had forsaken Him completely (2 Chron. 14:11-12,18).
Asa chose to use his kingship to serve God rather than his own kingdom (1 Kings 15:11). “He put away the male cult prostitutes out of the land and removed all the idols that his fathers had made. He also removed Maacah his mother from being queen mother because she had made an abominable image for Asherah... But the high places were not taken away. Nevertheless, the heart of Asa was wholly true to the Lord all his days” (1 Kings 15:12-14a).
Under Asa's leadership, the people, including great numbers who deserted Israel and were residing with them, “entered into a covenant to seek the Lord, the God of their fathers, with all their hearts and with all their soul...And all Judah rejoiced over the oath, for their had sworn with all their heart and had sought him with their whole desire, and he was found by them, and the Lord gave them rest all around” (2 Chronicles 15:9,12,15).
However, in the thirty-sixth year of Asa's reign, he relied on the king of Syria instead of the Lord. When Baasha, king of Israel came against him. The Lord sent a prophet to rebuke him. The prophet told him, Because you relied on the king of Syria and did not rely on the Lord your God, the army of the king of Syria has escaped you. Were not the Ethiopians and the Libyans a huge army with very many horsemen? Yet because you relied on the Lord, he gave them into your hand. For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless towards him. You have done foolishly in this, for from now on you will have wars” (2 Chronicles 16:9).
Jehoshaphat chose to walk in the earlier ways of Asa his father: He sought God and walked in his commandments (2 Chron. 17:3-4). “Therefore the Lord established the kingdom in his hand. And all Judah brought tribute to Jehoshaphat, and he had great riches and honor. His heart was courageous in the ways of the Lord. And furthermore, he took the high places and the Asherim out of Judah” (2 Chron. 17:5-6).
As a result of his leadership in serving the Lord rather than his own kingdom, “the fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that were around Judah, and they made no war against Jehoshaphat” (2 Chron. 17:10).
However, Jehoshaphat went against the Lord when he chose to help Ahab in war. A prophet was sent to him and said, “Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the Lord? Because of this, wrath has gone out against you from the Lord. Nevertheless, some good is found in you, for you destroyed the Asherahs out of the land, and have set your heart to seek God” (2 Chron. 19:2-3).
Later, a great army from Edom came against Jehoshaphat and all of Judah. Jehoshaphat prayed to God and encouraged the people as they went out to battle, “Believe in the Lord your God, and you will be established; believe his prophets, and you will succeed.”
The Edom army proceeded to turn against one another. They destroyed one another and left the spoil for Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah to gather. After that, “the fear of God came on all the kingdoms of the countries when they heard that the Lord had fought against the enemies of Israel” and God gave them rest on all sides (2 Chron. 20:29-30).
So what can I learn from this?
Leaders Actions Are The Result of Their Belief About God
Chip Ingram, in his book “Good to Great in God's Eyes” writes, “The truth is that a mind flourishing with deep truths of God is a powerful tool in his hands. Conversely, it simply isn't possible to have a mind filled with flawed, pessimistic, cynical thinking and live an influential, fruitful life for the kingdom of God.”2
David was a king who had a very large God. God was larger than life and the air he breathed. He also saw himself as the beloved of God. Because of this, his decisions flowed out of how he saw God and his relationship with him. He anticipated God's help in battle and saw God's hand in discipline, famine and difficulties.
“Yah, He loves us. Oh how He loves us. Oh how He loves”
Dallas Willard writes, “The single most important thing in our mind is our idea of God and the images associated with it.” He states, “Ideas and images can be a stronghold of evil in the human self and society. They determine how we understand the things and events of ordinary life, and they can blind us to what lies plainly before us.”3
As Dallas Willard notes, Satan tempted Eve with the idea that God could not be trusted and that she must act on her own to secure her well-being.
One Chooses What Kingdom They Will Serve
The temptation for each of the kings, as with Saul and David, was to secure their own kingdom or to trust God. David chose to completely trust God to establish him and made no effort to secure his own kingdom. Saul, on the other hand, put all his energy and efforts into securing his own kingdom.
As CJ Mahaney wrties, authentic humility is defined as “a heart more concerned with God's glory than our own, and more intent on serving others than ourselves.” 4
“Two things he told me, You are strong and you love me. Your love is, Your love is, Your love is strong...” Humility starts with seeing the greatness of God and His love for us and then choosing to submit to it.
On the message tool for this last week's sermon at church it asks, “Dave shared that when all is said and done, every knee will bow to Jesus, whether grudgingly or joyfully. What do you think it all boils down to that makes someone do it grudgingly or joyfully?” I think it boils down to whether one sees how worthy He is and His love for us.
“Oh, how He loves us, Oh. And I realize just how beautiful You are and how great your affections are for me. Oh, how He loves us, Oh.”
Jesus committed His spirit into the Father's hands. Andrew Murray writes, “humble yourself and descend each day into that perfect, helpless dependence on God. God will raise you up and exalt you.”
Ken Blanchard and Phil Hodges write in “Lead Like Jesus” that leaders dominated by false pride are often considered controlling. Even when they don't know what they are doing, they have a high need for power and control.”5
When one spends all their energies, like Saul, in securing their own kingdom, there is no freedom. One must continually protect and secure what they have. While when one trusts in God, there is freedom to plumb the depths and heights of God's love as one puts their hands to what their heart prompts.
“All the way my Savior leads me.”
Dallas Willard writes, “To many of us it has been a new joy in the Christian life to know that we may yield ourselves as servants, as slaves to God, and to find that His service is our highest liberty -the liberty from sin and self.” 6
Paul prays for the Ephesians, “And I ask him that with both feet planted firmly on love, you'll be able to take in with all followers of Jesus the extravagant dimensions of Christ's love. Reach out and experience the breadth! Test its length! Plumb the depths! Rise to the heights! Live full lives, full in the fullness of God. God can do anything, you know -far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams!” (Ephesians 3:16-20)
“You are the love that frees us. You are the light that leads us... Son of God , You are the One, You are the One we're living for!”
Impact of a Leader's Choices
When leaders fear the Lord and serve His Kingdom rather than their own, it can have powerful impacts on the people. Proverbs 28: 12 says, “When the righteous triumph, there is great rejoicing, but when the wicked come to power, people hide themselves. And Proverbs 28:15 says, “A wicked ruler over a helpless people is like a roaring lion or a charging bear.”
David used his position in leadership to defeat the Philistines and bring the Ark to Jerusalem. Solomon, his son, used his leadership to build the Temple of God in the midst of the people. Reheoboam used his leadership to oppress the people and secure his leadership. Abijah used his leadership to (somewhat self-righteously) confront Israel for forsaking the Lord. Asa used his leadership for turning the people back to God, removing idols from the land and entering into a covenant between God and the people to seek the Lord. Jehoshaphat used his leadership to bring the people back to the Lord and establish righteous judgment in the land. He also used his leadership to establish peace with other territories.
This brings me back to the words Henry Varley spoke to D. L. Moody at a young age that had tremendous impact on his life: “It remains to be seen what God will do with… the man who is fully consecrated to Him.”
Jesus is the perfect example of what God can do with someone who is fully consecrated to God.
"Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor." (Luke 7:22)
And yet, Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father." (John 14:12)
“As my heart cries Holy I will never be the same...I could never repay all that you've done So use my life to the glory of your Son.”
Paul says in Romans 12:1-2, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
E.M. Bounds writes that “Consecration is the voluntary set dedication of one's self to God, an offering definitely made, and made without any reservation whatever. It is the setting apart of all we are, all we have, and all we expect to have or be, to God... Consecration is not so much the setting one's self apart from sinful things and wicked ends, but rather it is the separation from worldly, secular and even legitimate things, if they come in conflict with God's plans, to holy uses. It is the devoting of all we have to God for his own specific use. It is a separation from things questionable, or even legitimate, when the choice is to be made between the things of this life and the claims of God.” 7
According to one article, God is the only one who can make us holy. Our part involves separating ourselves from evil by repenting from drinking from earthly sources, and more and more turning from them and drawing near to God to drink from Him.8
“He gave us all He had to give so that we could truly live. So let's give all we have to Him so that we can be completely free”
Lord, “Come and set me free'” I long to live completely for You. You have given me so much and I long to glorify You with everything that I am and everything I have.
O we never can know
What the Lord will bestow
Of the blessings for which we have prayed,
Till our body and soul
He doth fully control,
And our all on the altar is laid.
Who can tell all the love
He will send from above,
And how happy our hearts will be made,
Of the fellowship sweet
We shall share at His feet,
When our all on the altar is laid.
(Is Your All On The Altar?)
1. Ingrim, Chip, Good to Great in God's Eyes, http://www.amazon.com/Good-Great-Gods-Eyes-Christians/dp/080107214X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1261444694&sr=1-1#reader_080107214X
2. Ingrim, Chip, Good to Great in God's Eyes, http://www.amazon.com/Good-Great-Gods-Eyes-Christians/dp/080107214X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1261444694&sr=1-1#reader_080107214X
3. Willard, Dalls and Johnson, Jan. Renovation of the Heart in Daily Practice. NavPress, 2006.
4. Mahoney, CJ. Humility: True Greatness, Multnomah Books, Colorado Springs, CO 80921.
5. Blanchard, Ken and Hodges, Phil. Lead Like Jesus. Thomas Nelson, Nashville TN. 2008.
6. Willard, Dalls and Johnson, Jan. Renovation of the Heart in Daily Practice. NavPress, 2006.
7. http://www.worldinvisible.com/library/bounds/5bb.10595-essentials/5bb.10595.08.htm
8. http://www.tasteheavennow.net/how_to_repent/role_of_consecration.htm
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