Established

“Jehoshaphat stood to say, ‘Hear me, O Judah and you residents of Jerusalem! Trust in the Lord your God, and you will be established. Trust in His prophets, and you will be successful.’” 2 Chronicles 20:20

We would all love a handbook that gave us 10 easy steps to success in whatever we endeavor. You want to make money in retail? Just follow these instructions, practice them daily, and you will never lack for money. You don’t care about money, but you would like the ladies to fall madly in love with you? Read about the fool-proof method and you will never have to worry about a lonely Friday night again. Money and women don’t do it for you; fame is your thing? We have boiled down everything the Beatles did into 10 unfailing principles for “knock them dead” repeat radio play music.

Some people fall prey to claims exactly like these, but the only ones making the money are the ones telling you about the “principles of success”. Don’t get me wrong, there are some very basic rules for selling, good business or just plain healthy relationships, and we would be wise to follow them. Even some of Jesus’ rules for living are helpful for business and interpersonal communication: “Do to others as you would have them to unto you.” “If you want to be first, you must be the willing servant of all.”

But we miss the point if we think Jesus spoke these things to make all of us better entrepreneurs or salesmen. The Scriptures are not meant to be used as a handbook to help me gain my personal dreams. It is not some sort of jigsaw puzzle that, when I put all its pieces together correctly, I will have a “successful” life…at least in the meaning of this world’s view of success.

The Bible is God’s Word about His Mission for the world. It is primarily and precisely about His plan of redemption for the world in Christ. If we read it to try to find some way to never fail in any venture in life, we are bound to start making passages mean what we want them to mean. But, if we read Scripture keeping Christ in mind, and His suffering and sacrifice for us on the cross, we will begin to mine exquisite jewels from God’s Word. And, if we find ourselves succeeding in another portion of our life, that is simply a side benefit, not the primary purpose.

Here King Jehoshaphat tells his people that if they trust in the Lord, the will be established; if they trust His prophets (God’s word spoken), they will be successful. This is a verse that would make a nice poster for an office wall, reminding a Christian business person that they will succeed as long as they trust God and His word. Unfortunately, we must rip it from its context to make it read that way.

Judah was being threatened by three different kings. Jehoshaphat had been faithful to God, and it was not God’s plan for His people to fall to the enemy. Jehoshaphat took time to pray, to worship, to humbly ask God what plan He had. He does not presume that God will protect them, but He does remind God of His promises, and of the past times when He had delivered their ancestors (20:5-13)

As a result the Spirit of the Lord comes upon one of the Levites, telling the people that the battle is not theirs, but God’s. He goes on to say that Judah should go down against them the next day, but they will not need to fight. Instead, they will “stand still and see the salvation of the Lord.” (20:14-17)

King Jehoshaphat bows his head and worship, along with all of Judah. Then all the Levites (temple workers) stand up and praise God with loud voices. After all this, the king makes his statement about believing in the Lord your God, and being established.

This is not a little axiom meant to be hung on a bathroom wall. It has depth of purpose concerning God’s mission itself. Seen through the work of Christ (yes, even the Old Testament speak “forward” to give us pictures of Jesus) we are reminded that the “work” of salvation, or pleasing God, is not ours, it is the Lord’s. We are reminded that we find the most spiritual peace when we “stand still”. It is then that we “see” God’s salvation. This is not about 10 ways to succeed in life; it is about the beauty, depth and richness of a life entrusted to the mission of God Himself.

Certainly the side effects of such trust will aid us in business, relationships and the such. But they are not guarantees. What we are guaranteed, though, is that, as far as God’s plan goes, we will never fail when we trust in Him. The business of the kingdom of God is His battle, not ours. When we feel spiritually threatened, either from the outside; people challenging our relationship with Christ. Or whether from the inside; serious doubts about the reality of God’s love for us, we can stand established; we can live successfully trusting God’s mission will never fail.

I may fail in a business as a believer, but nothing can threaten my standing with God. Trust today and find yourself in good standing (established). Life is meant to be lived in the faith that God will take us through any opposition, barrier or hurdle as we trust Him and His Word.