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During the time of King Jehoshaphat (approximately 860 B.C.), several armies began to invade the land of Judah. Being greatly outnumbered, Jehoshaphat called for a nation-wide time of fasting and prayer to seek guidance from God: “O our God, will You not judge them? For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon You” (2 Chronicles 20:12).

The king needed to formulate a plan. He was the appointed leader and responsible for the safety of his people. King Jehoshaphat’s “plan” was to place the fate of the entire nation into the hands of God. Many see such action as weakness, but it took great strength to recognize he was powerless, even greater strength to know where to turn and Whom to trust!

God answered King Jehoshaphat’s cry for help through a Levite named Jahaziel.

2 Chronicles 20:14-15
“Then the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jahaziel…’Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the Lord says to you: “Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s.”‘”

Knowing that our battles belong to God is great comfort when we face trials which appear much bigger than anything we can handle. But there is more to the story! God didn’t tell Jehoshaphat to just sit in his tent while the battle was won. Rather, He gave specific instructions to confidently stand before the enemy.

2 Chronicles 20:16-17
“Tomorrow march down against them…{But} you will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.”

It’s inevitable that our life will contain such battles – many are facing overwhelming battles right now. And as with everything we encounter on our Christian walk, there is purpose in battles. Many times the purpose of our battle is to understand a fundamental truth: “Apart from Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). Reaching the end of our own strength is the real battle; turning to God and trusting Him for every step of our walk, and actually walking with Him every step of the way, is the real victory!

As we trust Him with all our heart and seek counsel in His presence, He will tell us where to march and where to stand. Let’s boldly follow our Lord each and every day and refuse to become discouraged. He is in absolute control…for these ARE God’s battles!

Have a Christ Centered Day!

Steve Troxel
God’s Daily Word Ministries

**** Reading Plan ****

Aug 17 Nehemiah 12:27-13:31; 1 Corin 11:3-16; Psalm 35:1-16; Proverbs 21:17-18

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In the final years of the southern kingdom of Israel, God warned that He was going to use the king of Babylon to discipline the people unless they returned to Him with a heart of worship. But the people failed to repent and the invasion of Jerusalem began.

Ezekiel was a prophet to those taken captive during the Babylonian attacks. Through Ezekiel, God explained why He was allowing Jerusalem to be destroyed. He said the people had rebelled and drifted far, but His anger seemed mostly directed at the leaders who failed to point the way: “They do not distinguish between the holy and the common; they teach that there is no difference between the unclean and the clean” (Ezekiel 22:26). In addition, God said the prophets were covering up the sins of the priests; “They whitewash their deeds for them by false visions and lying divinations” (Ezekiel 22:28).

God searched, but found no one who was willing to lead the people into a life of pure and holy worship – a life which recognized God as Lord of ALL and prayed without ceasing for His guidance and protection.

Ezekiel 22:30-31
“I looked for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found none. So I will pour out my wrath on them and consume them with my fiery anger.”

As in the days of Ezekiel, spiritual walls are crumbling all around us. We have whitewashed sin in the name of tolerance, and we have lost our passion for holiness and worship in the busyness of materialism and worldly advancement. And tragically, many of our churches are filled with compromise and fail to point the way to truth. The result is many lives filled with spiritual gaps – areas vulnerable to grave attack by the enemy.

We must repair our own walls through repentance, forgiveness, and daily drawing nearer to the presence of God. But we must also look for “gaps” in the walls of those around us and commit to standing firm with prayer, encouragement, and time, until strength returns and walls are repaired. We must be ones who live without compromise and faithfully point the way to true worship and a life which glorifies God in all we do.

Let’s continue to stand in the gap for as long as it takes the relationship of a friend to be restored, the strength of a pastor to be renewed, the heart of a loved one to be transformed, or the life of a prodigal child to return home. God’s words through Ezekiel are harsh, but God didn’t give up on the people until the people gave up on each other. It’s not too late if we continue to point the way; there is still hope if we will stand firm in the gap.

Have a Christ Centered Day!

Steve Troxel
God’s Daily Word Ministries

**** Reading Plan ****

Aug 12 Nehemiah 3:15-5:13; 1 Corinthians 7:20-40; Psalm 32:1-11; Proverbs 21:5-7

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In the message “Arise And Walk” we were reminded that as God answers our prayers He does so in a manner which is “immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine” (Ephesians 3:20). He answers according to our true need driven by His divine good. This is a difficult concept but God’s view of this world, and certainly His view of our life, is much grander than our own; “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:9).

This passage in Isaiah occurs as God is calling people to trust Him in ways they do not understand; “Give ear and come to Me; hear Me, that your soul may live” (Isaiah 55:3). God’s path to the greater good – which we must understand is the same as the path to our very best – is the path which follows Him in absolute faith, even when we do not understand.

The story of Jesus and the young rich man gives an example of someone who could not accept this truth. In this story, a rich man asked Jesus, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” (Mark 10:17). After first telling the man to obey the commandments related to how he treated others, Jesus gave the man a directive which caused him to turn away.

Mark 10:21
“Jesus looked at him and loved him. ‘One thing you lack,’ He said. ‘Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me.'”

To understand this story we need to realize that terms like kingdom of God, eternal life, and salvation, do not simply refer to a ticket to heaven – they refer to that and so much more. When asked by the Pharisees about the kingdom of God, Jesus answered, “the kingdom of God is within (or among) you” (Luke 17:21). Eternal life can begin now! The kingdom can begin now! Salvation can begin now! Yes, there is also a future realization, but let’s not miss the now. The rich man accepted some of what Jesus said but refused to believe that Jesus truly knew what was best and loved him enough to call him to obedience.

God’s very best, His kingdom reality, is available right now. But it is only available through faithfully following His way of truth and not our own. When we choose to walk our own way, contrary to God’s word, we have chosen the path of a fool; “The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice” (Proverbs 12:15). God’s path is never contrary to His word; He will NEVER lead us to lie, cheat, steal, dishonor, slander, or commit adultery. Choosing such a path is choosing the path of a fool and is guaranteed to miss out on God’s best!

Receiving our ticket to heaven might be a one time event, but choosing to live right now in the kingdom of God requires daily choices to live by following the ways of God. So today, and also in the many days to come, we must make the choice: Will we live as a follower or fool?

Have a Christ Centered Day!

Steve Troxel
God’s Daily Word Ministries

**** Reading Plan ****

Aug 10 Ezra 10:1-44; 1 Corinthians 6:1-20; Psalm 31:9-18; Proverbs 21:3

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One day when Jesus was traveling from Galilee to Jerusalem, ten men with leprosy approached Him and called out; “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!” (Luke 17:13). Jesus didn’t immediately heal the lepers. Instead, He gave them a simple instruction; “Go, show yourselves to the priests” (Luke 17:14).

A leper would only present himself to a priest if he believed the leprosy was gone. The priests had the authority to declare a diseased person ceremonially clean and allow them to return home (Leviticus 14). Therefore, the lepers demonstrated great faith when they followed Jesus’ command; “And as they went, they were cleansed” (Luke 17:14). Notice that the lepers had to take action before they were healed; their action was a demonstration of their faith.

Though all ten lepers had been cleansed of their terrible disease, only one returned to give thanks; “He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked Him” (Luke 17:16). Jesus responded with a very convicting question.

Luke 17:17
“Jesus asked, ‘Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine?'”

I wonder if we really understand the degree to which we have been healed and made clean; “God made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgression” (Ephesians 2:5). We were DEAD, and He made us alive with Christ – that’s serious healing!! Our Heavenly Father reached down in love and provided a way for complete restoration when we did not even have the ability to cry out for help; “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8) – that’s serious love!!

His Hand guided us toward healing through His Son and His Hand continues to heal in countless ways on our daily walk. Every time relationships are restored, His hand has healed; when conflicts are resolved, His hand has healed; and when He lovingly welcomes us back after we have wandered from His presence, His hand has healed.

But do we return to thank Him? Or are we as the other nine lepers who go on our way and forget the One to whom we owe our very lives.

The one leper who returned threw himself at Jesus’ feet. If we knew how deathly sick we are without Christ and how completely He has healed our soul, we would not only throw ourselves at His feet, but we would remain and refuse to ever leave. Let’s live each day in the presence of God and continually come before Him with hearts overflowing with thanksgiving and praise. Let’s remember our divine healing and ALWAYS be the one who will return to give thanks.

Have a Christ Centered Day!

Steve Troxel
God’s Daily Word Ministries

**** Reading Plan ****

Aug 5 Ezra 1:1-2:70; 1 Corinthians 1:18-2:5; Psalm 27:8-14; Proverbs 20:22-23

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In the message “Secure In His Presence” we were encouraged to guard against anything which takes away from our complete dependence on our Heavenly Father. We saw how worldly security can sometimes cause us to close our eyes and ears to God’s leading. Becoming secure in the world means we are placing our trust in the things of the world. David made this mistake and it cost him dearly.

God described David as “a man after My own heart” (Acts 13:22). David clearly saw God working in his life. When he went to fight Goliath with only stones and a sling, he knew to trust in the strength offered by God; “All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s” (1 Samuel 17:47). God continued to protect David through his trials with Saul and later led him through many military victories as the king of Israel. But toward the end of his reign, David began to trust the world’s definition of power and might.

1 Chronicles 21:1-2
“Satan rose up against Israel and incited David to take a census of Israel. So David said to Joab and the commanders of the troops, ‘Go and count the Israelites. Then report back to me so that I may know how many there are.'”

God allowed Satan to tempt David because there was still deep rooted pride in David that needed to be revealed. There was nothing inherently wrong with counting the people. When God led the nation of Israel out of Egypt, He told Moses; “Take a census of the whole Israelite community” (Numbers 1:2). But David had become very “self” reliant and had placed his trust in his own strength and abilities. He became focused on his resources – the number of men who were able to fight – rather than keeping his eyes and ears on the true Commander of ALL battles.

David recognized and confessed his sin: “I have sinned greatly by doing this. Now, I beg You, take away the guilt” (1 Chronicles 21:8). Though David’s sin was forgiven, God still enforced severe consequences; “So the Lord sent a plague on Israel, and seventy thousand men of Israel fell dead” (1 Chronicles 21:14). As the leader of God’s chosen people, David was expected to set a clear example of complete trust.

God wants and expects the total devotion of our heart. Devotion will always mean love and worship, but it also must include our sustained and unwavering trust. Our Heavenly Father establishes our path and provides all the necessary strength to achieve the victory He desires. He simply asks that we trust only in Him and continue to follow where He leads. Let’s give Him ALL the glory and honor as we keep our eyes forever focused on Christ and guard against the sin of misplaced trust.

Have a Christ Centered Day!

Steve Troxel
God’s Daily Word Ministries

**** Reading Plan ****

Aug 3 2 Chronicles 33:14-34:33; Romans 16:8-27; Psalm 26:1-12; Proverbs 20:19

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Jehoiakim was king of Judah just prior to the first Babylonian invasion in 605 B.C.. He had become comfortable in the security of the palace, and an alliance with the Egyptians made him feel even more protected. But Jehoiakim led the people of Judah further away from God; “he did evil in the eyes of the Lord, just as his fathers had done” (2 Kings 23:37).

God sent the prophet Jeremiah to warn Jehoiakim and the people of Judah that disaster would come if they did not repent; “If you do not listen to Me and follow My law…, then I will make this city an object of cursing among all the nations of the earth” (Jeremiah 26:4,6). But with his every need and desire fulfilled, and his every fear removed, Jehoiakim did not see a reason to listen.

Jeremiah 22:21
“I warned you when you felt secure, but you said, ‘I will not listen!’ This has been your way from your youth; you have not obeyed.”

We spend the majority of our lives building security in our job, finances, and relationships. But security within the world system is extremely shallow and deceptive; “Do not store up for yourselves treasures {security} on earth, where moth and rust destroy, where thieves break in and steal” (Matthew 6:19). We ought to be thankful for every one of our earthly blessings, but we should NEVER receive our “security” from the world. Our complete dependence must always remain on our Heavenly Father, and our eyes and ears should continually be open to His leading.

Our daily walk is made one slow step at a time as we “trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5). Usually, we are allowed to see only the next step; “Your Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light for my path” (Psalm 119:105). We may not know what turns lie ahead, but our true security, peace and comfort, comes from simply knowing we are on His path, not from feeling we control the direction or pace of the journey.

True security begins with faith in Jesus Christ and builds on a pure love which flows from the innermost part of our heart. Even activities such as church attendance, Bible study, or work in various ministries mean nothing without a faith based love; and these well-intended actions become a false spiritual security when they replace the need to abide in the presence of God or daily seek His direction.

Let’s not allow our lives to develop a sense of security which shuts out the need for God and the absolute hunger for His presence. Our walk of faith will always require stepping into the unknown where all we have is what He provides, and a loving trust in God is confident that His provision is always enough! Let’s lean on Him, love Him, and draw ever closer. Let’s seek true security by only being secure in His presence.

Have a Christ Centered Day!

Steve Troxel
God’s Daily Word Ministries

**** Reading Plan ****

Jul 30 2 Chronicles 26:1-28:27; Romans 13:1-14; Psalm 23:1-6; Proverbs 20:11
Jul 31 2 Chronicles 29:1-36; Romans 14:1-23; Psalm 24:1-10; Proverbs 20.12
Aug 1 2 Chronicles 30:1-31:21; Romans 15:1-22; Psalm 25:1-11; Proverbs 20:13-15
Aug 2 2 Chronicles 32:1-33:13; Romans 15:23-16:7; Psalm 25:12-22; Proverbs 20:16-18

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