Day 338 – Plans

2 Kings 14:1 In the second year of Joash the son of Jehoahaz, king of Israel, Amaziah the son of Joash, king of Judah, became king. 2 He was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Jehoaddan of Jerusalem. 3 He did what was right in the sight of JEHOVAH, yet not like his father David; he did everything as his father Joash had done. 4 However, the high places were not taken away, and the people still sacrificed and burned incense on the high places.

 5 Now it happened, as soon as the kingdom was established in his hands, that he executed his servants who had murdered his father the king. 6 However, the children of the murderers he did not execute, according to what is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, in which JEHOVAH commanded, saying, “Fathers will not be put to death for their children, nor will children be put to death for their fathers; but a person will be put to death for his own sin.”

 7 He killed ten thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt, and took Sela by war, and called its name Joktheel to this day.

 8 Then Amaziah sent messengers to Jehoash the son of Jehoahaz, the son of Jehu, king of Israel, saying, “Come, let us face one another in battle.”

 9 Jehoash, king of Israel, sent to Amaziah king of Judah, saying, “The thistle in Lebanon sent to the cedar in Lebanon, saying, ‘Give your daughter to my son as wife’; and a wild beast in Lebanon passed by and trampled the thistle. 10 You indeed defeated Edom, and your heart has lifted you up. Glory in that, and stay at home; for why should you meddle with trouble so that you fall—you and Judah with you?”

 11 However, Amaziah would not heed. Therefore, Jehoash king of Israel, went out; so, he and Amaziah king of Judah faced one another at Beth Shemesh, which belongs to Judah. 12 Israel defeated Judah, and every man fled to his tent. 13 Then Jehoash king of Israel captured Amaziah, king of Judah, the son of Jehoash, the son of Ahaziah, at Beth Shemesh; and he went to Jerusalem, and broke down the wall of Jerusalem from the Gate of Ephraim to the Corner Gate—four hundred cubits. 14 He took the gold and silver, the articles found in the house of JEHOVAH and in the treasuries of the king’s house, and hostages, and returned to Samaria.

 15 Now the rest of the acts of Jehoash which he did—his might, and how he fought with Amaziah king of Judah—are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel? 16 So Jehoash rested with his fathers and was buried in Samaria with the kings of Israel. Then Jeroboam his son reigned in his place.

 17 Amaziah the son of Joash, king of Judah, lived fifteen years after the death of Jehoash the son of Jehoahaz, king of Israel. 18 Now the rest of the acts of Amaziah, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?

 19 They formed a conspiracy against him in Jerusalem, and he fled to Lachish; but they sent after him to Lachish and killed him there. 20 Then they brought him on horses and buried him in Jerusalem with his fathers in the City of David.

 21 The people of Judah took Azariah, who was sixteen years old, and made him king instead of his father Amaziah. 22 He built Elath and restored it to Judah, after the king rested with his fathers.

 23 In the fifteenth year of Amaziah the son of Joash, king of Judah, Jeroboam the son of Joash, king of Israel, became king in Samaria, and reigned forty-one years. 24 He did evil in the sight of JEHOVAH; he did not depart from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who had made Israel sin. 25 He restored the territory of Israel from the entrance of Hamath to the Sea of the Arabah, according to the word of JEHOVAH Elohiym of Israel, which He had spoken through His servant Jonah the son of Amittai, the prophet who was from Gath Hepher. 26 For JEHOVAH saw the affliction of Israel was bitter; and whether bond or free, there was no helper for Israel.

 27 JEHOVAH did not say He would blot out the name of Israel from under heaven; but He saved them by the hand of Jeroboam the son of Joash. 28 Now the rest of the acts of Jeroboam, and everything he did—his might, how he made war, and how he recaptured for Israel, from Damascus and Hamath, what had belonged to Judah—are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel? 29 Thus, Jeroboam rested with his fathers, the kings of Israel. Then Zechariah his son reigned in his place.

God’s names:

JEHOVAH – Self-existent, Eternal

Elohiym – Supreme God

Yeshuwa – Jesus

God’s character:

Compassionate

Kings:

Amaziah – king of Judah

Jehoash – king of Israel

Azariah – king of Judah

Jeroboam – king of Israel

What do you do when someone wants to cause you trouble? Do you try to persuade him not to be foolish, and walk away? Bullies poke at an innocent victim until they fight back.

Amaziah intended war against Jehoash, king of Israel. He tried to talk him out of it. However, Amaziah came against him and lost the battle. Despite the evil intentions of Amaziah, king of Judah, JEHOVAH did not destroy Israel. He saved Israel through Jeroboam.

Many Christians who achieve great things for Yeshuwa, puff themselves up and think they are invincible and make claims and do works Yeshuwa did not tell them to do. It’s easy to see how the major televangelists say they are doing things for Yeshuwa, only to bring about their downfall because Yeshuwa did not instruct them to do what they claim. It doesn’t only happen among famous televangelists; it happens in your churches and in your Bible study groups.

When you go ahead of Yeshuwa in your power, you will fail. Yeshuwa will allow trouble to come against you as JEHOVAH brought about trouble for Amaziah through Jehoash, king of Israel. However, Yeshuwa will not destroy you because you belong to Him. He will bring someone into your life to show you what you did wrong and bring you back to Him. Jeroboam saved Israel, despite his evil ways because Israel is and always will be His chosen people.

If the trouble you’re facing is of your choosing because you went against what Yeshuwa planned for you, you need to confess your sin and turn back to Yeshuwa and listen to Him and His instructions and plans for your life.

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says JEHOVAH, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and hope.

Examine your life. Confess your sins and allow Yeshuwa to lead you. Put yourself in the passenger seat and allow Him to take control of your life and His plans for you. You will know what you’re doing in your strength and what you do with Yeshuwa’s strength. Let Him take full control of your life.

Let’s pray: Father, I need you to take control of my life. I don’t want to go ahead of Your plans for me. Help me wait on You and listen to Your instructions for my life. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

Copyright © 22 December 2024 by Valerie Routhieaux