Thursday, June 22nd, '17
All rights reserved © message by Kris Jackson
I'LL
PICK SERVING THE LORD
"...to
let them know the difference between my service and the service of foreign
lands" (2 Chronicles 12:8 Moffatt)
When the kingdom of Judah was firmly
established under Rehoboam's hand, Solomon's son, he evidently forgot to read
his dad's own instruction book. "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty
spirit before a fall" (Proverbs 16:18). When Rehoboam "had strengthened
himself...he forsook the law of the Lord..." (vs 1) Shishak, Egypt's
king was waiting in the wings ready to pounce like a panther. The enemy's guns
are always cocked. Like a roaring lion he "seeks whom he may devour", the proud
and unsuspecting being the first of his victims. When the hammer fell the tribe
of Judah humbled themselves, which brought some deliverance, but they didn't
get off scot-free because Shishak and his armies plundered Jerusalem and,
listen to this statement, "he took everything" (vs 9). Think of the wealth
Rehoboam inherited from Solomon, his daddy. In one generation the family was
bankrupt!
Wow. The prophet said this happened so Judah
would learn the difference between "my service and the service of foreign
lands". I prefer the way God serves. Man yanks the rug out from beneath us;
Jehovah sets a full table. When Joshua demanded, "Choose this day whom you will
serve", he was implying that you have to serve somebody. It might be drink,
drugs, money, pleasure, religion, the mistress or a thousand other landlords,
but you will serve somebody. The flesh cracks its whip. "He that commits sin is
the servant of sin" (John 8:34). Or there is the Spirit's gentler service -
"Having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness" (Romans
6:18). That is slavery by choice - "And if that servant shall plainly say, I
love my master...I will not go out free..." (Exodus 21:5) he will remain the
master's property forever. Paul was such a "bond-slave". He chose the Lord's
service.
A few months back under Egyptian control
straightened the house of Judah out real quick. If you're tired of God's way of
doing business just step out from the covering of his blessing for an hour. See
if you don't run back home as fast as your legs will carry you! Sometimes
mis-focused eyes need an eye-opener. Better to make right choices now. Joshua
answered his own query - "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord!"
(Joshua 24:15)
