Braveheart

Daily Reading: 2 Chronicles 16-17

His heart was courageous in the ways of the Lord. (2 Chronicles 17.6)

Devotional Thought: Several weeks ago my little grandson, Grayson, made a trip to the dentist.  According to his mommy, it was quite an ordeal, accompanied by tears and terror, by struggling and screaming.  After it was all over, with tears still wet upon his cheeks, Grayson told his mommy, "I was such a brave boy!"  I agree with Grayson.  I think I'll start calling him Braveheart!

King Jehoshaphat was a Braveheart, too. "His heart was courageous in the ways of the Lord."

How did Jehoshaphat acquire this brave heart in the ways of the Lord?  Jehoshaphat...

• walked in the earlier ways of his father David (17.3).  Some people are quick to grab the latest fad, but Jehoshaphat looked at what worked for his "father" David and held on to it.

• did not seek the Baals (17.3).  The Baals represented contemporary culture and philosophy.  Jehoshaphat did not do things just because they were politically correct.  He had a better foundation.

• sought the God of his father (17.4).  Jehoshaphat believed in the Word of the Lord and sought to know it.

• walked in God's commandments (17.4).  Belief was not enough for this young king.  He did what God commanded him to do.

• took the high places and the Asherim out of Judah (17.6).  As a leader, Jehoshaphat had a responsibility to implement godly principles and policies - even if they were unpopular.

• was established by the Lord (17.5).  This was the most important thing in forming his courageous heart.  God himself gave it to a humble seeking man.

Are you a Braveheart?  You can be!  Humbly seek the Lord and allow him to establish your heart in courage!

Prayer: Lord, we know that in ourselves we have no cause for courage, but "With God we shall do valiantly; it is he who will tread down our foes" (Psalm 108.13).  Amen!

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 66:16-20

16 Come and hear, all you who fear God, and I will tell what he has done for my soul.

17 I cried to him with my mouth, and high praise was on my tongue.

18 If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.

19 But truly God has listened; he has attended to the voice of my prayer.

20 Blessed be God, because he has not rejected my prayer or removed his steadfast love from me!