Jehoshaphat a good king

2 Chronicles Chapter 17

Jehoshaphat son of Asa became king and he strengthened Judah to stand against any attack from Israel. The Lord was with Jehoshaphat because he followed the example of his father's early years and did not worship the images of Baal. He knocked down the pagan shrines and destroyed the Asherah poles. He sought his father's God and obeyed his commands. So the Lord established Jehoshaphat's control over the kingdom of Judah and he became wealthy and highly esteemed.

In the third year of his reign, Jehoshaphat sent out all his officials to teach in all the towns of Judah(the list of officials in found in verses 7 & 8). They took copies of the Book of the Law of the Lord and traveled around the towns of Judah teachng the people.

Then the fear of the Lord fell over all surrounding kingdoms so that none of them declared war on Jehoshaphat. In fact, some of the Philistines brought him gifts and some Arabs brought him livestock. So his power grew and his army was enrolled according to ancestral clans (the troops are listed in verses 14-18).

BIBLE NOTES SHOW: The people of Judah were bibically illiterate. They had never taken the time to listen and discuss God's law and understand it.By educating the people, Jehoshaphat reversed the religious decline and the nation began to follow God.

HOW DOES THIS CHAPTER RELATE TO US TODAY? Oh, wow! The nation became educated and began to follow God! How powerful is that statement. Just like today, our churches and schools need a solid Christian education program. Exposure to the Bible teaching both in church and even at home is essential as God intended. My question to you is: how can you help turn the people of our nation around? Is it too late? I think not. Just spread the word of God and watch it take seed and grow.

Yours in Christ,
Mary

Prayer Requests are needed for:
HEALTH:
Update on my niece Suzanne, she is healing but her leg was crushed and will take many months of doctoring. She is in a nursing home for rehab care. Pray for her healing. Also Gabe, Wanda, Janice Long’s parents. especially her mother whose cancer has returned, and Arlene’s nephew David. Pray for my neighbor Al who is nearing the end of his life. Pray for Carolyn’s brother Ronald who has cancer. Pray for our friend Michelle who was diagnosed with MS. Pray for Cyndi Sullivan who was given 14 months to live with cancer, but has made it six years. The pain has returned and she needs our prayers.
UPDATE on Barb who went in for back surgery and had a heart attack and stroke, she has 90 percent of her speech back and is home , but continues to have a problem with one arm and hand. She will require long therapy and insurance may soon be a problem since her job was not held for her.
Pray for Robert Sargent with lung cancer and Marthaline Sargent with serious health issues..
Pray for Carolyn’s friend Margaret and her husband who were in a car accident. As elderly drivers they may face a life change which may cost them their independence. Let’s all raise our voices to God to hear our prayers.
Pray for the speedy recovery of Sandy in Minnesota who underwent successful brain surgery for a tumor recently.
Pray for John recovery from a heart attack and pray he can stop smoking.
SPIRITUAL UPLIFTING: Gail, Mary
RESTORATION OF FAITH: Al, John
LOVE AND SUPPORT: Claire, Hunter, Brian
SUPPORT: Haiti, Chile, survivors of Japan’s earthquake, survivors of the devastating tornadoes in our southernmost states and Joplin, Missouri. Pray too, for our country’s leaders and our military people who die each day for our freedom.