Reflection on readings for July 27

Be exalted, O Lord, in your strength!
We will sing and praise your power.
(Psalm 21:13)

2 Chronicles 19:1-20:37
When Jehoshaphat returns home after the battle, he is met by by the prophet Jehu who tells him he shouldn't have depended on an unfaithful ally. The king then actively worked to bring the people back to the Lord. He counseled the judges, priests, and family heads to make their decisions not on their own personal benefit but rather on faithfulness to the Lord.

When the Moabites and Ammonites invade, Jehoshaphat turns to the Lord for rescue. All the inhabitants of Judah prayed. The Moabites and Ammonites attacked Mount Seir, destroying the inhabitants completely, but then turned on each other leaving no survivors. Judah took the booty--livestock, good, clothing, precious things--so much stuff that it took three days to haul it all.

The people of Judah expressed their gratitude to the Lord.

Jehoshaphat made peace with the king of Israel, an act that the chronicler criticized.

Romans 10:14-11:12
Despite what we may have heard for some other Christians, Paul asserts that God has not rejected the Jews.

Psalm 21:1-13
The Lord is given credit for victory and also the responsibility to take care of enemies in the future.

Proverbs 20:4-6
The lazy person does not plow in season;
harvest comes, and there is nothing to be found.
The purposes in the human mind are like deep water,
but the intelligent will draw them out.
Many proclaim themselves loyal,
but who can find one worthy of trust?

Prayer for Today: O Lord our God, we recognize that we have had the opportunity to hear your word over and over. We confess that we have often responded by doing what we wanted to do anyway. We ask you now to continue to speaking to us and to stir us this time into listening and obeying. Amen.