Day 21 – Forgiveness

2 Chronicles 19:1 Then Jehoshaphat the king of Judah returned safely to his house in Jerusalem.

 2 Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him, and said to King Jehoshaphat, “Should you help the wicked and love those who hate JEHOVAH? Therefore, the wrath of JEHOVAH is upon you. 3 Nevertheless, good things are found in you, in that you removed the wooden images from the land and prepared your heart to seek Elohiym.”

 4 Thus, Jehoshaphat dwelt at Jerusalem; and he went out again among the people from Beersheba to the mountains of Ephraim and brought them back to JEHOVAH Elohiym of their fathers.

 5 Then he set judges in the land throughout the fortified cities of Judah, city by city, 6 and said to the judges, “Take heed to what you do, for you do not judge for man but for JEHOVAH, who is with you in the judgment. 7 Now, therefore, let the fear of JEHOVAH be upon you; take care and do it, for there is no iniquity with JEHOVAH our Elohiym, no partiality, nor taking of bribes.”

 8 Moreover, in Jerusalem, for the judgment of JEHOVAH and for controversies, Jehoshaphat appointed some of the Levites and priests, and some of the chief fathers of Israel, when they returned to Jerusalem. 9 He commanded them, saying, “Thus you will act in the fear of JEHOVAH, faithfully and with a loyal heart. 10 Whatever case comes to you from your brethren who dwell in their cities, whether of bloodshed or offenses against law or commandment, against statutes or ordinances, you will warn them, lest they trespass against JEHOVAH and wrath come upon you and your brethren. Do this, and you will not be guilty. 11 Take notice: Amariah the chief priest is over you in every matter of JEHOVAH; and Zebadiah the son of Ishmael, the ruler of the house of Judah, for the king’s matters; also, the Levites will be officials before you. Behave courageously, and JEHOVAH will be with the good.”

God’s names:

JEHOVAH – Self-existent, Eternal

Elohiym – Supreme God

Yeshuwa – Jesus

God’s character:

Judge

When you consider your actions and the good it will bring others, you don’t always know the long-range scope of what you plan to do.

Jehoshaphat allied himself with Ahab and went to battle with him. When he returned home, Jehu (not the king of Israel) a seer for JEHOVAH met him and told him he did evil by allying himself with Ahab and brought judgment against Jehoshaphat. However, Jehu told him Elohiym saw good in him also.

Proverbs 14:12 There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.

When you accepted Yeshuwa as Savior and Lord, you committed to follow Him, walk with Him in fellowship, spend time with Him in Bible study, prayer, and gathering in worship with other believers. However, many Christians only spend enough time with Yeshuwa to say they are Christians while they do whatever they want the rest of the time.

Listen to what Yeshuwa told John in Revelation about people who don’t live as He directed them.

Revelation 2:1 “To the angel of the church of Ephesus write, ‘These things say He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the middle of the seven golden lampstands: 2 I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. You tested those who say they are apostles and are not and found them liars; 3 and you persevered and have patience and labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary. 4 Nevertheless, I have this against you, that you left your first love. 5 Remember, therefore, from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent. 6 However, this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 7 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Pneuma says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the middle of the Paradise of Theos.”’

Jehoshaphat thought he did everything right. He loved JEHOVAH and spent his life honoring Him. However, one mistake, his alliance with Ahab, brought him consequences from JEHOVAH.

How closely do you align yourself with Yeshuwa? Do you follow everything He tells you? What do you tell yourself when you mess up? Nobody is perfect. David and Paul both knew the heart did not always align with JEHOVAH’S will.

Psalm 14:1 (To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.) The fool said in his heart, “There is no Elohiym.” They are corrupt, they do abominable works, there is none who does good.

 2 JEHOVAH looks down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there are any who understand, who seek Elohiym.

 3 Everyone turned aside, they together become corrupt; there is none who does good, no, not one.

Romans 3:10 As it is written: “There is none righteous, no, not one; 11 there is none who understands; there is none who seeks after Theos.

As Christians, you have one recourse for your actions: confession and repentance.

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from every unrighteousness.

No, none of us is perfect. However, we have a Savior who took our sins, nailed them to the cross and declared us not guilty. When we sin, we only need to confess our sins to regain fellowship with Yeshuwa.

Let’s pray: Father, thank you for loving me so much, You sent Your Son, to take my place on the cross so I could live with You forever. I know I sin. I mess up every day. Thank you for Your forgiveness when I confess my sin. Let me praise You for Your faithfulness to forgive me and bring me back into fellowship with You when I confess my sins to You. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

Copyright © 8 February 2025 by Valerie Routhieaux