Lately I've been reading about all the old kings of Judah and Israel. All the Uzza's and Ahaz's...once you read the stories of these great (and not so great) kings, you start to see some trends. One trend is about seeking God. It becomes quite clear that with power and blessing often comes pride and odd choices.
In Deuteronomy Moses shared that "the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God." But if "from there you seek the Lord your God you will find Him if you look for Him with all your heart and with all your soul." Simple instructions, except for that word ALL.
In 2Chronicles 25 King Amaziah made some 'amazing' choices. (couldn't resist!)
"He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, but not wholeheartedly." Wow, how many times can that be said of me?!
Amaziah got so off-track that a man of God came to him to help him understand that "Even if you go and fight courageously in battle. God will overthrow you before the enemy, for God has the power to help or to overthrow."
After some time, battles and raids, Amaziah went on to conquer a certain people, bring back their false gods and set them up to worship them himself. The prophet asked,"Why do you consult this people's gods, which could not save their own people from your hand?"
We're a lot like Amaziah sometimes. We seek God, but not with ALL our heart. We charge ahead, do things our own way, consult other people before talking to God about it, ignore His guidance, etc, etc...
We serve a great and mighty, living God. We can't get any more current and relevant than when we ask Him what to do - then do it! When we seek Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength we are able to do great things -- Not because we are great, but because He is!
