“For Pekah the son of Remaliah slew in Judah an hundred and twenty thousand in one day, which were all valiant men; because they had forsaken the LORD God of their fathers.” II Chronicles 28:6
These were valiant men of Judah who were slain, which teaches us that being valiant, talented, clever, wise, strong or noble does you no good if you have forsaken the Lord.
“Then Amaziah separated them, to wit, the army that was come to him out of Ephraim, to go home again: wherefore their anger was greatly kindled against Judah, and they returned home in great anger.” II Chronicles 25:10
There will be a time when the church will be engaged in a great work for the kingdom of God. That work will be hindered by believers who have not been serious with God who all of a sudden want to participate. They must be kept from participating, at least until they are in the right spirit, for our work is a spiritual work.
“And refused to obey, neither were mindful of thy wonders that thou didst among them; but hardened their necks, and in their rebellion appointed a captain to return to their bondage: but thou art a God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and forsookest them not.” Nehemiah 9:17
Some Christians have returned to their bondage by subtle means. Then there are those looking for someone to lead them back to their bondage. Some of the church has stepped up and said please fill our pews, please give us your money and we promise you we will lead you back to bondage. They give them smooth words or at least pretend that God doesn’t really mean any hard things His word says. They offer entertainment to try to satisfy emptiness and create programs to cater to every situation in life, while all along Jesus is the answer. Then in just a short time the people are back in bondage. Thank God that He is “ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness.” If you have come to realize you have appointed someone to lead you back to bondage it is not too late, God is ready to pardon.
“Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength. 11So the Levites stilled all the people, saying, Hold your peace, for the day is holy; neither be ye grieved.” Nehemiah 8:10-11
I grew up in a Catholic home. Through observing the priests I concluded the more somber they were, the more holy they were. To me, somberness was the path to holiness. Praise God, Nehemiah knew the truth. Holiness is far more joyful than sorrowful.
“And what cause soever shall come to you of your brethren that dwell in their cities, between blood and blood, between law and commandment, statutes and judgments, ye shall even warn them that they trespass not against the LORD, and so wrath come upon you, and upon your brethren: this do, and ye shall not trespass.” II Chronicles 19:10
One of the reasons the church in America is in the predicament she is in is because her ministers have become more concerned about making the people comfortable than they are willing to “warn them.”
“And a certain man drew a bow at a venture, and smote the king of Israel between the joints of the harness: therefore he said to his chariot man, Turn thine hand, that thou mayest carry me out of the host; for I am wounded.” II Chronicles 18:33
If you don’t want to be hit in the joint of your armor, then don’t dabble with sin.
“And the king said to him, How many times shall I adjure thee that thou say nothing but the truth to me in the name of the LORD?” II Chronicles 18:15
Even the wicked expect the righteous to tell the truth.
“And they said, There is no hope: but we will walk after our own devices, and we will every one do the imagination of his evil heart.” Jeremiah 18:12
When ministers grow weary and frustrated because souls aren’t being won like they want and their church isn’t growing numerically like they desire, then they lose hope. Once hope is lost then they start to walk after their own devices and live out their imaginations. This is where we are at today. We need the Spirit to once again lead our churches.