“And he went out to meet Asa, and said unto him, hear ye me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin; the LORD is with you, while ye be with Him; and if ye seek Him, He will be found; but if ye forsake Him, He will forsake you” (2 Chronicles 15:2).
Joshua had never experienced defeat in his life until the people of Ai conquered Israel and killed thirty-six men among the soldiers sent there. Then, he sought the face of God to find out the cause of this defeat after the initial victory at Jericho.
The answer came from the Lord: “Israel hath sinned, and they have also transgressed my covenant which I commanded them. Neither will I be with you anymore, except ye destroy the accursed things from among you” (Joshua 7:11,12).
Here the condition for divine human partnership was clearly spelt out. God is holy and demands holiness from all who want to have and maintain a continuous relationship with Him.
A prophet was sent to Asa and his army when they returned victorious from the war with the Ethiopians. Surprisingly, he did not come to congratulate them on their success but rather charged them to be dutiful.
The Spirit of God came upon the prophet both to instruct him about what he should say and to enable him to say it with clarity and boldness. He made them to realize that there is nothing like eternal security for any sinful person or nation.
God wants to maintain a loving relationship with man. However, “can two walk together except they be agreed?” Therefore, before anyone can have a meaningful relationship with Him, he must repent and believe the gospel. Moreover, he needs to follow peace with all men and holiness without which no man shall see the Lord.
Holiness of life brings us into a closer relationship with God. Then, we must daily walk by faith, without which it is impossible to please God and pray without ceasing, making obedience to God in all things our daily lifestyle.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: The true test of holiness is doing right when no one is watching.
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