Love and Faith must dictate our actions
2Chronicles 19-21 / James 1-2
How to get the most out of Hungry Bible
OT
20:3-4 Jehoshaphat was alarmed by this news and sought the LORD for guidance. He also gave orders that everyone throughout Judah should observe a fast. So people from all the towns of Judah came to Jerusalem to seek the LORD.
:21-22 After consulting the leaders of the people, the king appointed singers to walk ahead of the army, singing to the LORD and praising him for his holy splendor. This is what they sang: “Give thanks to the LORD; his faithful love endures forever!” At the moment they began to sing and give praise, the LORD caused the armies of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir to start fighting among themselves.
:35-37 But near the end of his life, King Jehoshaphat of Judah made an alliance with King Ahaziah of Israel, who was a very wicked man. Together they built a fleet of trading ships at the port of Ezion-geber. Then Eliezer son of Dodavahu from Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat. He said, “Because you have allied yourself with King Ahaziah, the LORD will destroy your work.” So the ships met with disaster and never put out to sea.
NT
1:2-6 Dear brothers and sisters, whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy. For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything. If you need wisdom–if you want to know what God wants you to do–ask him, and he will gladly tell you. He will not resent your asking. But when you ask him, be sure that you really expect him to answer, for a doubtful mind is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.
:14-15 Temptation comes from the lure of our own evil desires. These evil desires lead to evil actions, and evil actions lead to death.
OT Flash Points
Count on God giving detailed instructions
As you get older, do not relax your commitment to seek the LORD’s instructions
NT Flash Points
Ask for wisdom, expecting God to answer
Love – properly focused creates priorities which generate action
Faith – love that is tangible
Perspective
I’m a sinner
In Jesus’ presence, conviction becomes specific, not general
Obey in that particular. The fire of the Holy Spirit is applied at that spot
Unclean lips? – He sees the core and exposes it – “Go and get your husband.” John 4