And the people never full committed themselves to follow the God of their ancestors. 2 Chronicles 20:33 NLT
Jehoshaphat was a good king, following the ways of his father, Asa. He did what was pleasing in the Lord’s sight. During his reign, however, he failed to remove all the pagan shrines, and the people never fully committed themselves to follow the God of their ancestors. 2 Chronicles 20:33 I began to wonder, what if they had committed themselves fully to follow the Lord? What exploits and testimonies would we read about? We don’t know.
But what if we commit our ways to the Lord and follow Him the best we can? What stories will we have that will encourage others to do the same? We won’t know if we don’t try!
What if we live our lives to improve, rather than prove? If we try to “prove” we are able, wise, good enough etc. We live from a platform of insecurity and fear. When we live our lives from a platform of improving, we are living in faith, security and an understanding that we are moving forward. There is hope involved in improving.
What if we live our life with the knowledge we have been forgiven. Our sins are under the blood and we do not have to live with shame and regret. I know many believers who do not grasp this truth. They verbally agree with it, but their life does not reflect it. What a difference there is when we comprehend this reality, he has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west. Psalm 103:12 NLT
What if we ask the Lord for His ways, His wisdom and how to love people we don’t necessarily like much less agree with? I’ve watched him do this for me. It is amazing, how we can learn to appreciate and love those that are not like us! I admit it is challenging, but when it happens it is like a miracle! It is freeing and amazing.
What if we choose to love people and let God do the changing? Just like we trust he is changing us?
What if we truly understood this is the day the Lord has made, we choose to rejoice and be glad in it?
What are the what if’s in your life that you are facing? I challenge you this day to trust him with those what if’s. What if he wants you to dream bigger dreams? What if he wants you to follow those dreams? Or what if your “what ifs” entail simply enjoying your life and not fretting or comparing yourself with others?
Father, I thank you for helping us deal with the what if’s in our life. I thank you that we can release our faith and choose to commit our way to you, and you will show us the path of life for each individual. We choose to follow you with our whole heart, and we will need to lean on your grace to do so! In Jesus’ Name, amen.
Faith Encounters 