June 8, 2013: Every Day God / You Gotta be Nice to Jerks Sometimes (Well ALL the Time Actually)

2 Chronicles 21:2-4

Amplified Bible (AMP)

2 He had brothers: Azariah, Jehiel, Zechariah, Azariah, Michael, and Shephatiah, all the sons of Jehoshaphat king of Israel.

3 Their father gave them great gifts of silver, gold, and precious things, together with fortified cities in Judah, but the kingdom he gave to Jehoram, the firstborn.

4 When Jehoram had ascended to the kingship of his father, he strengthened himself and slew all his brethren with the sword and also some of Israel’s princes.

2 Kings 3:6-27

Amplified Bible (AMP)

6 So King Joram went out of Samaria at that time and mustered all Israel.

7 And he sent to Jehoshaphat king of Judah, saying, The king of Moab has rebelled against me. Will you go with me to war against Moab? And he said, I will go; I am as you are, my people as your people, my horses as your horses.

8 Joram said, Which way shall we go up? Jehoshaphat answered, The way through the Wilderness of Edom.

9 So the king of Israel went with the king of Judah and the king of Edom. They made a circuit of seven days’ journey, but there was no water for the army or for the animals following them.

10 Then the king of Israel said, Alas! The Lord has called [us] three kings together to be delivered into Moab’s hand!

11 But Jehoshaphat said, Is there no prophet of the Lord here by whom we may inquire of the Lord? One of the king of Israel’s servants answered, Elisha son of Shaphat, who served Elijah, is here.

12 Jehoshaphat said, The word of the Lord is with him. So Joram king of Israel and Jehoshaphat and the king of Edom went down to Elisha.

13 And Elisha said to the king of Israel, What have I to do with you? Go to the prophets of your [wicked] father Ahab and your [wicked] mother Jezebel. But the king of Israel said to him, No, for the Lord has called [us] three kings together to be delivered into the hand of Moab.

14 And Elisha said, As the Lord of hosts lives, before Whom I stand, surely, were it not that I respect the presence of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, I would neither look at you nor see you [King Joram].

15 But now bring me a minstrel. And while the minstrel played, the hand and power of the Lord came upon [Elisha].

16 And he said, Thus says the Lord: Make this [dry] brook bed full of trenches.

17 For thus says the Lord: You shall not see wind or rain, yet that ravine shall be filled with water, so you, your cattle, and your beasts [of burden] may drink.

18 This is but a light thing in the sight of the Lord. He will deliver the Moabites also into your hands.

19 You shall smite every fenced city and every choice city, and shall fell every good tree and stop all wells of water and mar every good piece of land with stones.

20 In the morning, when the sacrifice was offered, behold, there came water by the way of Edom, and the country was filled with water.

21 When all the Moabites heard that the kings had come up to fight against them, all who were able to put on armor, young and old, gathered and drew up at the border.

22 When they rose up early next morning, and the sun shone upon the water, the Moabites saw the water across from them as red as blood.

23 And they said, This is blood; the kings have surely been fighting and have slain one another. Now then, Moab, to the spoil!

24 But when they came to the camp of Israel, the Israelites rose up and smote the Moabites, so that they fled before them. And they went forward, slaying the Moabites as they went.

25 They beat down the cities [walls], and on every good piece of land every man cast a stone, covering it [with stones]. And they stopped all the springs of water and felled all the good trees, until only the stones [of the walls of Moab’s capital city] of Kir-hareseth were left standing, and the slingers surrounded and took it.

Two completely different thoughts pop out at me today. The first one comes as I'm pondering verses 13 and 14.

13 And Elisha said to the king of Israel, What have I to do with you? Go to the prophets of your [wicked] father Ahab and your [wicked] mother Jezebel. But the king of Israel said to him, No, for the Lord has called [us] three kings together to be delivered into the hand of Moab.
14 And Elisha said, As the Lord of hosts lives, before Whom I stand, surely, were it not that I respect the presence of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, I would neither look at you nor see you [King Joram].

Jehoram (Joram) had killed all six of his brothers. He was evil to the core. (And we think OUR society is evil.)

Sometimes you have to be nice to evil people for one reason. Out of respect for other people. I know... it shouldn't be. Its not fair at all. In fact, its sick and wrong! But it is what it is. I will say it again. Sometimes, for the sake of those you deeply love and respect, you gotta be nice to the evil jerks who you have absolutely NO respect for. How? Just put a polite smile on your face and be nice. For the sake of others you love. Just do it. It won't kill you to be polite.

Here's the second idea that comes to me as I'm studying. If you want to hear from God, play some nice worship music. The presence of God will come upon you.

15 But now bring me a minstrel. And while the minstrel played, the hand and power of the Lord came upon [Elisha].

And here's an idea, if you're seeking a word from God, go to church! Either a church service or a prayer meeting where music (live or otherwise) is being played. And just listen to God. I guarantee, if you listen and wait, God will speak. Maybe not the first time. But give it some time. His presence will come down during the music and He will commune with you.

"Wow, Jesus, Your word is full of surprise answers! There's always a Biblical example at our fingertips of everyday situations we face. I just love You soooo much for thinking of EVERYTHING. Why do I hang my head in despair when You are WAITING to lead and guide me through EVERY difficult situation? And please help my friends out there who are hurting. I'm thinking of one friend in particular today. She's hurting and feels alone, like no one understands. But she has YOU. Waiting and longing. For her to just turn on some soft music and sit in Your presence. You have ALL the answers she needs. You have ALL the love she needs to fix her broken heart, Jesus. Please show me how I may help her. Please show me how to lead her to Your arms. And thank You, Jesus. How I love You. AMEN."