Day 32: 2 Chronicles 7:11-2 Chronicles 23:15 - 90 Day Challenge

Fighting Our Battles

What 2 Chronicles Has Taught Us about War and Peace


Our reading starts off with a summary of Solomon's reign, remember that? It then moves through Rehoboam, Abijah, Asa, Jehoshaphat, Ahab, Jehoram, Ahaziah, and Athaliah. If you want more detail on what happened there, check out some of the previous posts, it's a lot (namely, day 24-day 28--all under the Week 4 label). 

Today, since we've already gone through a lot of the information that was presented in today's reading, I'd mostly like to highlight some of my favorite verses, and discuss them briefly. 

2 Chronicles 13:18
"The men of Israel were subdued on that occasion, and the men of Judah were victorious because they relied on the Lord, the God of their fathers."

I love that this verse shows how relying of your love of the Lord can bring you to victory, can bring you through a battle unscathed. 

2 Chronicles 15:2
"The Lord is with you when you are with Him. If you seek Him, He will be found by you, but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you." 

Be with the Lord. And let the Lord be with you. You are never without the Lord, so long as you are wholeheartedly seeking him. But, if you do not want to be with the Lord, the Lord will not be with you.

2 Chronicles 15:15
"All Judah rejoiced about the oath because they had sworn it wholeheartedly. They sought God eagerly, and He was found by them. So the Lord gave them rest on every side." 

Does this remind anyone else of the moment they were saved? When you first took that wholehearted oath and leap of faith into belief? Where you are on fire for the Lord, when you were seeking answers and found them in the Lord? This verse brought me straight back to that moment, and the peace I felt following it. 

2 Chronicles 17:9
"They taught throughout Judah, taking with them the Book of Law of the Lord; they went around to all the towns of Judah and taught people." 

This brings to mind the disciples, the missionaries of the New Testament. Spreading the Word of God to a nation that abandoned it. Teaching the good news and the Law of the Lord, sharing His mercy and showing others how to worship.

2 Chronicles 19:7
"Now let the fear of the Lord be upon you. Judge carefully, for with he Lord our God there is no injustice or partiality or bribery." 

This brings to mind Luke 6:37: "Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven." After judges were appointed, Jehoshaphat made it very clear that they were to be fair and honest judges. That they should take all points into consideration, and leaves them with a reminder that the Lord will also be "judging" so-to-speak. 

2 Chronicles 20:15
"Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's." 

Does anyone else feel an intense calm, upon reading this? Do not be afraid or discourage. For the battle is not yours, but God's. Granted, this was said after seeking much guidance from the Lord after people had just devoted themselves to the Lord. The passage actually continues to say to go out and face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you. Face your fears. Fight your battles. Because the Lord has His hand in your life. TL;DR: the Lord will fight your battles, but you need to find your rest in Him. 


Tomorrow's reading: 2 Chronicles 23:16-2 Chronicles 35:15. 
Have a wonderful day!
Jill Jafarace
Director of Student Ministries
New Leaf UMC



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