A Daily Purpose

Bible Study & Devotional (Day 208)

Read Today’s Passages (July 27, 2022)

🔴 Dire Circumstances

Contributing Writer: Holly Rigos

No matter how dire the circumstances, you can be redeemed!

Jehoshaphat inherited a kingdom and land of wickedness. According to 1 Kings 15:24, he was the son of Asa, and the fourth king of the Kingdom of Judah, in succession to his father.

It is said that the Lord was with him because he followed the ways of David.

The LORD was with Jehoshaphat because he followed the ways of his father David before him. He did not consult the Baals. 2 Chron 17:3

Jehoshaphat spent the first part of his reign fortifying the Kingdom of Judah with military prowess and abolishing idol worship. He was on the fast track to building a bigger and better kingdom that was obedient to the One True God.

Yet, at these moments of prosperity and growth, man often relies on his own understanding and makes a fatal flaw in judgment. Jehoshaphat allied himself with the wickedest king Israel had known – Ahab.

That is where we find him in 2 Chronicles 19:2‭-‬4‭

Jehu the seer, the son of Hanani, went out to meet him and said to the king, “Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the Lord? Because of this, the wrath of the Lord is on you. There is, however, some good in you, for you have rid the land of the Asherah poles and have set your heart on seeking God.”

After this rebuke, the king turned back to the Lord.

He repented – he stopped going in the direction he was headed, completely turned around, and went the other way. He returned to the teachings of the Lord. He returned the land to the worship of the Lord.

He gave them these orders: “You must serve faithfully and wholeheartedly in fear of the Lord. In every case that comes before you from your people who live in the cities—whether bloodshed or other concerns of the law, commands, decrees, or regulations—you are to warn them not to sin against the Lord; otherwise, his wrath will come on you and your people. Do this, and you will not sin.

2 Chronicles 19:9-11

“Amariah the chief priest will be over you in any matter concerning the Lord, and Zebadiah the son of Ishmael, the leader of the tribe of Judah, will be over you in any matter concerning the king, and the Levites will serve as officials before you. Act with courage, and may the Lord be with those who do well.”

What did you take away from the leadership of Jehoshaphat?
How are you removing the idolatry in your life from the generations before you so you can worship the Almighty?
What teachings should you follow versus what the world is pushing into your life?

Holly Rigos

Wife.Mom.Storyteller.Photographer.Teacher.TechDIYer.Believer.

After enduring two family members succumbing to cancer, two family friends were killed in the line of duty only then to watch my own husband battle Lymphoma in his 30s. I was at a crossroads with my faith – I could either TRUST GOD or not. I choose to TRUST and CAPTURE our legacy for God’s glory. GOD is knitting our story – I believe in the redeeming love of my Lord and Savior. To tell my story is to tell HIS. How is God knitting YOUR story?

This devotional was submitted by Holly Rigos, a loving contributor to Our Given Purpose. Edited by Torrie Slaughter the founder of Our Given Purpose® in the Commonwealth of Virginia.