2 CHRONICLES 25:1-10
The story of Amaziah, King of Judah, who while he amassed an army from the people of Judah to face a formidable enemy … did not quite think he had enough power to win. And so as we have talked about so often … he decided what was needed by his own knowledge. More soldiers right?
Amaziah went and paid a hundred talents of silver (about 3 ¾ tons) to men of Israel to accompany the army of Judah. Sounds like a plan.
PROVERBS 3: 5 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.”
What a human mind devises as a solution … no matter how good … is less than best. Especially if we are walking off on our understanding and circling away from what God has said.
What happens next is interesting and evidence that the Lord intends to keep us on the right path … if we will simply pause and listen and then … wait for it … OBEY.
2nd Chronicles 25:7 & 8
“But a man of God came to him and said, - O king, these troops from Israel must not march with you, for the Lord is not with Israel … not with any of the people of Ephraim. Even if you go and fight courageously in battle, God will overthrow you before the enemy, for God has the power to help or to overthrow.”
Amaziah hesitated for a moment and then asked “But what about the hundred talents I paid …”
The man of God replied, “The Lord can give you much more than that.”
Amaziah dismissed the troops he had paid from Israel.
The Lord delivered the enemy into his hands.
The Lord is more powerful than our best efforts.
He is more knowledgeable than our brightest scholars.
The Lord is a better leader than any Democrat or Republican.
He has 100% track record on making the right call.
God has the power to guide us into the best life ever although the path sometimes looks a bit precarious – we are safe.
The Lord knows humans need saving – we sin, we stumble, we get confused.
So this season, let’s put aside the stuff we think will make for a great Christmas (3 ¾ tons of stuff)… let’s go with His idea … Jesus Christ, His own Son, our Savior.