2 Chronicles 15:1. And the Spirit of God came upon Azariah the son of Oded.
So Friends, it’s another beautiful though cold day in the north country of God’s great planet earth! Praise the Lord! We have made it through another dark night of sleep and sorrow, into the dawning of a new day, whose bright and shining light is Jesus!
For that we ought to offer much thanks and plenty praise, for it would have been very easy for the Father to pull the plug on our life’s breath during the night, or for that matter, any time at all.
However, since He didn’t, it means that there’s still work for us to do here on earth. We still have stuff to do to further His glorious kingdom; like telling others of Him, and living the kind of life that glorifies and is worthy of Him.
So please don’t just get up figuring that seeing a brand new day was your birthright, and go about your worldly business and earthly pleasure without acknowledging Almighty God’s hand of blessing on your sinful soul.
Remember that tomorrow is promised to no one, and all we have is today. And today could even be cut short at any moment if the Creator deems it necessary to His overall plans. Therefore, we can’t afford to run around thinking that we control our destiny, because we don’t. It’s all in the hands of the One who formed us from a pile of dirt, then LOVINGLY breathed His own precious breath of life into our frail and mortal bodies.
So please my fellow believers, let’s remember to always keep God in front of us, at the forefront of our entire lives, as we make our pilgrim’s journey on this troubled earth, for that’s the only way we’ll ever be gifted with true success.
And now that I’ve imparted those words of heavenly wisdom, (smile) let’s turn to our Bit. ‘And the Spirit of God came upon Azariah the son of Oded.’
Today we’re going to look at one more instance where the Lord allowed His Holy Spirit to fall upon a mortal man in olden times. This momentous occasion took place during the reign of king Jehoshaphat. But before we get into the actual coming of the Spirit upon this special man, let’s get some background information on the situation.
A group of Israel’s enemies decided to invade Judah. Now when Jehoshaphat heard about the huge army knocking on his door, what was his first reaction eh? The Good Book tells us. ‘And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself (his face) to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.’ (2 Chr.20:3)
Ah Friends, yuh see that Jehoshaphat obeyed the NUMBER ONE RULE when faced with a problem – any problem at all! He turned to God in prayer. Too many of us nowadays don’t do that. We run to frail mortals FIRST and try everything they suggest. And it’s only when no mortal means works that we turn to God – LAST.
However my people, that’s a fool’s wisdom! Jehovah God should ALWAYS BE OUR FIRST CHOICE, when we are seeking succour! And I reiterate – that’s for each and every problem, big or small, important or not! So Jehoshaphat got it right on the first go.
Then with all of Judah around him, he stood in the courtyard of the Lord’s house and sincerely opened his heart. He first acknowledges God’s omnipotence, then reminds Him that it was through His intercession that Israel inherited the Promised Land for ever.
And also how they had built a house for His Name, so that they could come and stand before it and cry out for help in times of trouble. Then he mentions how when they first invaded the Promised Land, the Lord had caused them not to destroy the same enemies who were now coming against them. (2 Chr.20:4-11)
And I like how Jehoshaphat ends his passionate plea: ‘O our God, wilt thou not judge them? for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee.’ (2 Chr.20:12)
Oh Friends, Jehoshaphat acknowledges his lack of strength, of manpower against such powerful enemies, as well as his lack of a sensible plan, and thus he was placing all his trust in the God of his father’s, patiently, well somewhat patiently waiting for God’s advice. And my brethren, as we say almost every day, when you sincerely cry out to the Lord for help and guidance, He grants them to you.
And per Jehoshaphat’s cry for help, the next instalment of this heart-warming drama unfolded thus. ‘And all Judah stood before the Lord, with their little ones, their wives and their children. Then upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite of the sons of Asaph, came the Spirit of the Lord in the midst of the congregation;
And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the Lord unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God’s.
Tomorrow go ye down against them; behold, they come up by the cliff (ascent) of Ziz; and ye shall find them at the end of the brook (wadi or stream bed), before the wilderness of Jeruel.
Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set (position) yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the Lord with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them: for the Lord will be with you.’ (2 Chr.20:13-17)
Ah mih people, who says our God isn’t a wonderful Provider, shield and sword to those who worship Him eh?
And please note Jehoshaphat’s reaction to Jehaziel’s prophecy. ‘And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground: and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell before the Lord, worshipping the Lord. And the Levites, of the children of the Kohathites, and of the children of the Korhites, stood up to praise the Lord God of Israel with a loud voice on high.’ (2 Chr.20:18-19)
That’s how it’s done my people! Take it to the Lord in prayer; acknowledge His omnipotence and what He’s done for you before, then wait with some patience for His answer. And when he gives you the victory, bow down and worship, praise and thank Him. It just gives Him more encouragement to help us the next time we cry out for help.
And for your information on how that battle turned out, please read 2 Chr.20:20-30. Judah won it by a landslide without even lifting a hand. That’s the power of our God!
That’s also the last message on the topic of the Holy Spirit coming upon men in olden times. Now there were many more than those we mentioned. But that gives you some idea of how our God operated in those distant times before Jesus came, and we fortunately got the Holy Spirit dwelling in us all the time.
So please listen to His heavenly wisdom and take His advice very seriously, for ONLY by doing so, will we walk the path of righteousness that leads to heaven and Almighty God. Much LOVE!
…what’s the purpose of having the Holy Spirit indwell you…if you don’t use it eh…
SCRIP-BITS 