“Then Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his place, and strengthened himself against Israel. 2 And he placed troops in all the fortified cities of Judah, and set garrisons in the land of Judah and in the cities of Ephraim which Asa his father had taken. 3 Now the Lord was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the former ways of his father David; he did not seek the Baals, 4 but sought the God of his father, and walked in His commandments and not according to the acts of Israel. 5 Therefore the Lord established the kingdom in his hand; and all Judah gave presents to Jehoshaphat, and he had riches and honor in abundance. 6 And his heart took delight in the ways of the Lord; moreover he removed the high places and wooden images from Judah. 7 Also in the third year of his reign he sent his leaders, Ben-Hail, Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethanel, and Michaiah, to teach in the cities of Judah. 8 And with them he sent Levites: Shemaiah, Nethaniah, Zebadiah, Asahel, Shemiramoth, Jehonathan, Adonijah, Tobijah, and Tobadonijah—the Levites; and with them Elishama and Jehoram, the priests. 9 So they taught in Judah, and had the Book of the Law of the Lord with them; they went throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people. 10 And the fear of the Lord fell on all the kingdoms of the lands that were around Judah, so that they did not make war against Jehoshaphat.” 2 Chronicles 17:1-10 NKJV
Lord God,
Jehoshaphat. He wisely used his military leadership to strategically place garrisons to protect Judah from Israel. He set an example of spiritual leadership by walking in Your commandments. He removed the temptation of the high places and destroyed wooden images of idolatry. He dispatched teams made up of leaders, Levites and priests to educate those in the cities about the Law of the Lord.
All great things. Did he do it to plan for peace? To plan for a well ordered nation together in faith? To remove the double mindedness of professing faith in God and having idols scattered across the land? To score points with You God?
The Chroniclers tell us that his heart took delight in the ways of the Lord. He delighted in pleasing You God. I can think of nothing better than to think about that. Does my heart and my actions show delight in Your ways?
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Sunday 31st May 2026
This is my desire to honour You
Lord, with all my heart I worship You
All I have within me I give You praise
All that I adore is in You
Lord, I give You my heart
I give You my soul I live for you alone
Every breath that I take every moment I’m awake
Lord, have Your way in me
This is my desire to honour You
Lord, with all my heart I worship You
All I have within me I give You praise
All that I adore Is in You
Lord, I give You my heart
I give You my soul I live for you alone
Every breath that I take every moment I’m awake
Lord, have Your way in me
Repeat Chorus twice . . .
Lyrics: Reuben Timothy Morgan