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Speaker 1: I'm John Stanghi, and today we're in Second Chronicles, chapter nineteen,
Speaker 1: and we'll be reading from the English Standard version. Jehoshaphat,
Speaker 1: the King of Judah, returned in safety to his house
Speaker 1: in Jerusalem. But Jehu, the son of Hanani the Seer,
Speaker 1: went out to meet him and said to King Jehoshaphat,
Speaker 1: should you help the wicked and love those who hate
Speaker 1: the Lord? Because of this, wrath has gone out against
Speaker 1: you from the Lord. Nevertheless, some good is found in you,
Speaker 1: for you destroyed the Ashirath out of the land and
Speaker 1: have set your heart to seek God. Jehoshafat lived at Jerusalem,
Speaker 1: out again among the people from Beersheba to the hill
Speaker 1: country of Ephrium, and brought them back to the Lord,
Speaker 1: the God of their fathers. He appointed judges in the
Speaker 1: land in all the fortified cities of Judah, city by city,
Speaker 1: and said to the judges, consider what you do for
Speaker 1: you judge not for man, but for the Lord. He
Speaker 1: is with you in giving judgment. Now then let the
Speaker 1: fear of the Lord be upon you. Be careful what
Speaker 1: you do, for there is no injustice with the Lord
Speaker 1: our God, or partiality or taking bribes. Moreover, in Jerusalem,
Speaker 1: Jehosha Fat appointed certain levites and priests and heads of
Speaker 1: families of Israel to give judgment for the Lord and
Speaker 1: to decide disputed cases. They had their seat at Jerusalem,
Speaker 1: and he charged them. Thus you shall do in the
Speaker 1: fear of the Lord, in faithfulness and with your whole heart.
Speaker 1: Whenever a case comes to you from your brothers who
Speaker 1: live in their cities concerning bloodshed, law or commandment, statutes
Speaker 1: or rules, then you shall warn them that they may
Speaker 1: not incur guilt before the Lord, and wrath may not
Speaker 1: come upon you and your brothers. Thus you shall do,
Speaker 1: and you will not incur guilt. And behold, Ameriyah, the
Speaker 1: Chief Priest is over you in all matters of the Lord,
Speaker 1: and Zebediah, the son of Ishmael, the governor of the
Speaker 1: House of Judah, in all the King's matters, and the
Speaker 1: levites will serve you as officers. Deal courageously. And may
Speaker 1: the Lord be with the upright. Let's pray, Lord, we
Speaker 1: thank you for your word and we thank you for
Speaker 1: the privilege of being able to look at it together today.
Speaker 1: And Lord, as we look at this portion of Scripture,
Speaker 1: we can see that Jehosha Fat sought to lead the
Speaker 1: people of Israel in such a way that they had
Speaker 1: a true and living faith in you, that they were
Speaker 1: faithful to you, that they lived in such a way
Speaker 1: that they displayed integrity that could only ultimately be fostered
Speaker 1: by you. Lord. It's joyful to see a leader whose
Speaker 1: intent is to lead his people in such a way
Speaker 1: that they come back to you. And Lord, we're grateful
Speaker 1: that each of us is being led that way through
Speaker 1: faith in your son Jesus Christ, who leads us in
Speaker 1: triumphal procession. Scripture says, who shares his victory with us,
Speaker 1: who kept the law and fulfilled all righteousness for us.
Speaker 1: And now we're invited to be obedient to you, not
Speaker 1: because that somehow would earn your favor, but because you've
Speaker 1: shown us your favor in an unmerited way, meaning that
Speaker 1: we did not have to deserve it or earn it,
Speaker 1: and we certainly couldn't, but your grace, your favor was
Speaker 1: shown to us, and we were enabled to come to
Speaker 1: faith in your son' jehe Jesus Christ, experience new life,
Speaker 1: experience forgiveness, and be empowered by your spirit to walk
Speaker 1: with integrity. Lord, We're grateful for this day, and we're
Speaker 1: grateful for the privilege that it is to be able
Speaker 1: to be called your children and to walk with you,
Speaker 1: knowing that your desire is to have eternal fellowship with
Speaker 1: each and every one of us. We're grateful Lord that
Speaker 1: you have made this possible, and we commit this day
Speaker 1: to your care and pray this all in Jesus' name. Amen.