King James Daily Bible Study Devotional
Message Title: In The Blink Of An Eye
Date: Tuesday May 15, 2012
Today's Chapters: 2 Chronicles 21-24

Hello My Friend,

I never can praise God enough for taking me out of the life I lived before I made the choice to live my life with Christ in it. Once in a while I think, “How did I ever let things get so far out of hand?” and vow to never let myself get to that point again. But I know that no matter how strong my faith in God, in the blink of an eye I could fall, it's not that I do not trust myself, but I know my flesh is weak. Therefore, I am not trusting in my flesh to keep me out of trouble, but the Spirit of God.

“Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.” - Galatians 5:1,13,16,17,26.

After Jehoshaphat died, his son Jehoram reigned, since he was married to Ahab's daughter he walked in the wicked ways as she did, bringing that wickedness into Judah. He was so wicked that he killed all of his brothers, who, were godly and better qualified to reign. While God was angry with him He did not destroy him because of the covenant he made with David. “Now when Jehoram was risen up to the kingdom of his father, he strengthened himself, and slew all his brethren with the sword, and divers also of the princes of Israel. Jehoram was thirty and two years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eight years in Jerusalem. And he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, like as did the house of Ahab: for he had the daughter of Ahab to wife: and he wrought that which was evil in the eyes of the LORD. Howbeit the LORD would not destroy the house of David, because of the covenant that he had made with David, and as he promised to give a light to him and to his sons for ever.” - 2 Chronicles 21:4-7.

Any person who puts their faith and trust in Jesus Christ as the only one who can save them and take them to heaven makes a covenant with God. His covenant, “Believe in My Son, receive eternal life.” While God promises eternal life to all who believe in Christ, that doesn't mean they do not face the consequences of their actions should they continue to live in sin. “For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.” - Romans 13:4,12-14.

Jehoram only reigned eight years, when he was struck with an incurable disease and died. His son, Ahaziah was even more wicked than him, and only reigned one year before the people rebelled, killed him and his brothers too. After Ahaziah died his mother made herself queen and killed every male in the house of David, except one, which her grand-daughter hid from her.

“And it came to pass, that, when Jehu was executing judgment upon the house of Ahab, and found the princes of Judah, and the sons of the brethren of Ahaziah, that ministered to Ahaziah, he slew them. And he sought Ahaziah: and they caught him, (for he was hid in Samaria,) and brought him to Jehu: and when they had slain him, they buried him: Because, said they, he is the son of Jehoshaphat, who sought the LORD with all his heart. So the house of Ahaziah had no power to keep still the kingdom. But when Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she arose and destroyed all the seed royal of the house of Judah. But Jehoshabeath, the daughter of the king, took Joash the son of Ahaziah, and stole him from among the king's sons that were slain, and put him and his nurse in a bedchamber. So Jehoshabeath, the daughter of king Jehoram, the wife of Jehoiada the priest, (for she was the sister of Ahaziah,) hid him from Athaliah, so that she slew him not. And he was with them hid in the house of God six years: and Athaliah reigned over the land.” - 2 Chronicles 22:8-12.

What a mess? It is definitely true that what you reap is what you sow, those who wickedly seek their way to the top always fall the same way they began. It was important that one male of the seed of David be alive as his lineage or seed would be where Jesus would descend from. All it takes is one person to change a life, but if no one is willing to make a move than nothing will change. “Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” - James 2:19,26.

Joash was taught the ways of God through Jehoiada, the priest and Athaliah, and encouraged the kingdom as well. He reigned for forty years, but that quickly came to an end after Jehoiada died. “Now after the death of Jehoiada came the princes of Judah, and made obeisance to the king. Then the king hearkened unto them. And they left the house of the LORD God of their fathers, and served groves and idols: and wrath came upon Judah and Jerusalem for this their trespass. Yet he sent prophets to them, to bring them again unto the LORD; and they testified against them: but they would not give ear. And the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah the son of Jehoiada the priest, which stood above the people, and said unto them, Thus saith God, Why transgress ye the commandments of the LORD, that ye cannot prosper? because ye have forsaken the LORD, he hath also forsaken you. And they conspired against him, and stoned him with stones at the commandment of the king in the court of the house of the LORD.” - 2 Chronicles 24:17-21.

The problem was that the people wanted to build groves and altars to worship God in their own places rather than take the journey to Jerusalem every time. Zechariah was explaining that it was against the law of God, Joash took his eyes off God for one second and ordered Zechariah to be killed, whom his grew up with, for being the only person to do the right thing. Later on Joash died as a result of his ordering the execution of Zechariah. As Christians, it's very important that we never take our eyes off God for a second, not because we are not forgiven, but because we are forgiven children of the living God. We might get persecuted, mocked, chastened, or even threatened with out lives, but God is always with us and will help us if we come to Him.

“Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.” - Romans 6:8-12.

Today's Psalm: 86:5 - “For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.”

Today's Proverb: 24:16 - “For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.”

Today's Prayer: God, As much as I believe that I can do all things through Christ, I know my flesh is weak, it always gets me in trouble when I take my eyes off You. Lord, lead me and guide me, keep me focused and give me Your power to overcome the constant forces trying to get me to fall away from living in Your will. I thank You for Your mercy and grace to always forgive me no matter how many times I fall. I love You Lord, and pray in Jesus' name. Amen.

Enjoy the rest of your day/night.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

Are You 100% Sure That You Are Going To Heaven? Visit: God's Price
Missed A Devotional? Visit: King James Bible Study
Subscribe To This Devotional: King James Bible Study
Visit The Official Site Of: I'm Following Jesus
Like Us On Facebook: I'm Following Jesus