“The Lord was with Jehoshaphat because in his early years he walked in the ways his father David had followed. He . . . sought the God of his father and followed his commands rather than the practices of Israel” 2 Chronicles 17:3-4
Considering today’s situation in the United States of America, I was struck by the simplicity of what King Jehoshaphat did during his reign over Judah. This was a difficult time for God’s people. The kingdom was divided, and many kings no longer followed God’s ways. But Jehoshaphat had a plan, and the result was peace and power. We would do well to follow his plan today.
The Scripture records, in the third year of his reign he sent officials to teach in the towns of Judah. Second Chronicles 17:8 and 9 tell us he sent Levites with the officials to go around to all the towns of Judah. They took the Book of the Law of the Lord and taught the people. Education was important to Jehoshaphat. In those days teaching was done by word of mouth. Books were not readily available. Levites were the ones who served at the temple and had access to the Book of the Law.
Jehoshaphat also built up his military. “He stationed troops in all the fortified cities of Judah and put garrisons in Judah and in the town of Ephraim” (2 Chronicles 17:2). The surrounding kingdoms were fearful and did not make war with Jehoshaphat. (2 Chronicles 17:10). King Jehoshaphat became more and more powerful and there was peace in his kingdom.
Today, God’s law, the Bible is readily available. According to Wordsrated.com there are an average of 100 million Bibles printed each year. Twenty million are sold each year with the US accounting for a quarter of newly printed Bible sales every year. Imagine if all those Bibles were read and those people taught someone else about the Bible, I think our country would be in a much better place.
It is the church and families who must educate the people in the things of God. We must ask ourselves if we are fulfilling the Great Commission Jesus gave to his followers. (Matthew 28:19-20) It starts in the home. Our children need parents to stand strong on God’s Word, so they know the truth and won’t be swayed by the lies of today’s culture. Strong families make strong churches and strong churches make strong communities. Strong communities make strong states and strong states make a strong nation! Do we stand strong on the truth of God’s Word?
Our government’s job is to maintain a strong military. Article 1 Section 8 of our Constitution gives this duty to the legislature. Congress is to provide for the common defense and general welfare of the United States. We must pray for our leaders to fulfill their duties well. We need a strong military.
It seems like a simple plan to educate people in God’s word and to maintain a strong military as Jehoshaphat did. If we followed that plan in the United States, I think we would be well on the way to solving many of the problems in our country. Keep praying friends! Keep praying!
“I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness” (1 Timothy 2:1-2).