2 Chronicles 15:8 – “When Asa heard these words and the prophecy of Oded the prophet, he was encouraged.  He removed the detestable idols from the entire land of Judah and Benjamin and from the cities he had seized in the Ephraimite hill country. He repaired the altar of the Lord in front of the porch of the Lord’s temple.”

This passage and the entire chapter of 2 Chronicles 15 brought inspiration, a directive, a warning, and a promise that challenged me.  2 15:8-15 provides the foundation for the message of the Spirit of God to my heart.

In 2 Chronicles 15:1-7, Asa, the king, was in the presence of the prophet Azariah.   The prophet’s message was age-old – if you seek God, He will let you find Him.  In verse 7, the prophet said, “But you, be strong and do not lose courage, FOR there is reward for your work.”

The revelation, inspiration, warning, and promise are embodied in that passage.  In 2 Chronicles 15:8, notice the progression: when Asa heard, he did not put on hold for later study.  When he heard the prophecy, he “Took Courage and Acted.”    It was immediate obedience.

He removed the abominable (the very appearance of evil as well). He Restored the altar of the Lord (place of commitment, sacrifice, worship, and prayer) personally and corporately, but the action was Immediate!

2 Chronicles 15:15 – “…so, the LORD gave them rest on every side.”

In Matthew Chapter One, we see this in Joseph, Mary’s husband, an example of this principle—“Hear, take Courage, and Act.”  When Joseph found out his fiancée was pregnant, it was a major system shock to his Hebrew religious mentality.   

He did what any man in his time would have done, but God gave him a dream and told him what was happening.  In verse 24, we see the principle put into action.  Joseph got up and married her but had no physical relations with her until Jesus was born.  His response was immediate.   There was no hesitation or theorizing, just obedience.

Later, after the visit by the Magi, another dream and warning, and “in the night,” Joseph acted.   His response was immediate in complete obedience.

The danger is that delay in obedience can become disobedience and thwart God’s desire for us.   It gives the enemy an opportunity.   The Key is knowing God, knowing His voice, and obeying out of that place of confidence. God provides guidance and protects us when we walk in obedience.  

2 Chronicles 20:20 (perfect vision 20-20) Jehoshaphat heard the prophet and acted immediately. He said to the people what we need to hear and heed: ” Put your trust in the LORD your God, and you will be established. Put your trust in His prophets, and you will succeed.”

We “Hear” the word either in a word or in the Word (Bible).  When you hear obey, we are to Act!  Obedience shows us the door to an open heaven.  When the door is not visible, we should see if there has been a failure to obey immediately.  God desires to bless, guard, and guide more than we want, so receive it. 

Have a Great Day, and Determine that you will always Act in Immediate Obedience to the Holy Spirit’s Directive!

2 Chronicles 26:14-16 –“And Uzziah prepared for all the army shields, spears, helmets, coats of mail, bows, and stones for slinging. ¹⁵ In Jerusalem, he made machines, invented by skillful men, to be on the towers and the corners, to shoot arrows and great stones.  And his fame spread far, for he was marvelously helped, till he was strong.  ¹⁶ But when he was strong, he grew proud, to his destruction.  For he was unfaithful to the Lord his God and entered the temple of the Lord to burn incense on the altar of incense.” 

As I read, prayed, and pondered today, I was reminded of a great danger for believers.  That danger was made plain in 2 Chronicles 26:16.

Uzziah trusted in himself after victory and blessing.  Rather than becoming even more dependent on God, we tend to become filled with Ourselves after spiritual victory.

Uzziah was king when some people in his kingdom invented powerful, unknown weapons of war.   Verse 15 says, “…he was marvelously helped UNTIL he was strong.”  Then, in verse 16, we read, “BUT when he became strong, his heart was so proud that he acted corruptly, AND was unfaithful to the LORD…”   He presumed upon the office of the priest and was smitten with leprosy for the rest of his life.  God will not honor presumptuous pride.  He shares His glory with no one.

2 Chronicles 26:5 says, “…as long as he sought the LORD, God prospered him.”  Man tends to think the blessings are because of his specialness.   God requires humility and obedience.

If we keep pride out of our hearts and always remember that it is because of God’s grace, not our goodness or specialness, God will do what God does, and no weapon, enemy, or obstacle can stand.

If we trust ourselves, we doom ourselves.   If we trust God, we guarantee success.  It is a choice and a total surrender.  We need to guard against “I” trouble.   God honors the humble and stumbles the proud.   God’s desire for us is victory!

Have a great day in the Lord’s peace, power, presence, protection, and provision!