What will you do when you are called to help another person, even if you knew that this person was not living for God? Would you still help this man or woman, who is in sin, or look down upon them because of your religious pride? I ask this since Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah, was called to help the king of Israel, who was Jehoram, in times of war. This was in 2 Kings 3. Early I mentioned helping a person who was far from God and Jehoram was this type of person. It is said that 1“he wrought evil in the sight of the Lord; but not like his father, and like his mother: for he put away the image of Baal that his father had made. Nevertheless he cleaved unto the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, which made Israel to sin; he departed not therefrom.” (2 Kings 3:2-3) Nevertheless, when the Moabites came to war against Jehoram and Israel, he came for help from a righteous man called Jehoshaphat. It says that Jehoram 1“went and sent to Jehoshaphat the king of Judah, saying, The king of Moab hath rebelled against me: wilt thou go with me against Moab to battle? And he said, I will go up: I am as thou art, my people as thy people, and my horses as thy horses.” (2 Kings 3:11) Jehoshaphat could have said no, but he did not because of his love for the Lord God. I love what he said to him, for it should be something we all say to people who are in need. Make a special note of him saying, 1“I am as thou art, my people as thy people, and my horses as thy horses.” (2 Kings 3:11) This is compassion, kindness, and love all mixed together. This is what it means to love one another as we love God. Remember that Jesus said, 2“thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself” (Matthew 22:39), along with the first commandment being, 2“thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.” (Matthew 22:37)
It is because Jehoshaphat showed kindness unto Jehoram that the Moabites were defeated. It was Jehoshaphat’s faith in God that led him to talk with Elisha the prophet on this matter of war. And Elisha said, 1“as the Lord of hosts liveth, before whom I stand, surely, were it not that I regard the presence of Jehoshaphat the king of Judah, I would not look toward thee, nor see thee. But now bring me a minstrel. And it came to pass, when the minstrel played, that the hand of the Lord came upon him. And he said, Thus saith the Lord, Make this valley full of ditches. For thus saith the Lord, Ye shall not see wind, neither shall ye see rain; yet that valley shall be filled with water, that ye may drink, both ye, and your cattle, and your beasts. And this is but a light thing in the sight of the Lord: he will deliver the Moabites also into your hand.” (2 Kings 3:15-18) And God did what he said through Elisha the prophet. Water came and filled the ditches that they made and even the Moabites were tricked to thinking the water was blood. So it came to pass that 1“they said, This is blood: the kings are surely slain, and they have smitten one another: now therefore, Moab, to the spoil. And when they came to the camp of Israel, the Israelites rose up and smote the Moabites, so that they fled before them: but they went forward smiting the Moabites, even in their country.” (2 Kings 3:23,24) We serve an awesome God, who is also our protector. He has all the best intentions for our lives. Even those people that put their trust in Him above all else does he come and bless them abundantly. For this reason, we are to bless others also. We do this by helping people that are in need while fulfilling God’s two greatest commandments. God is loved as we love one another also. And of course, we love God by doing His will and giving Him praise.
Let us pray:
Oh Lord, I pray that we will all become more kind and considerate of other people’s needs. That we will begin to look past ourselves and into the lives of others around us. So many people are suffering and are in dire need of our help and even our prayers, but too many people are caught up in their own selfish needs. The selfishness in people’s lives is causing others to not get the necessary help they need. So, Lord, I pray that more people will be given a heart to bless others. That we will volunteer to pray for people while we are chatting them online and in person. That we will notice if there is anything that people need and jump at the opportunity to help them. Even if it means to feed the homeless, help our neighbors trim their trees, mow their yard, and rake up leaves. These are simple things but can bring much love into another person’s life who is unable to perform these things on their own. For this reason, do I pack the trunk of my car with things that will bless others throughout the year. If it is blankets, hats, gloves, water, snacks, gospel tracks, Bibles, and other things that You put on my heart to do. I do this so that I am ready to give when an opportunity arises. I would hate to be unprepared when I am on the road and a homeless person has a sign. Lord, I’ve had the best encounters with people when I have stopped and helped another person. After parking my car and getting the necessary supplies out of my trunk, in order to give to the homeless person fills me up with much joy and peace. I’ve seen countless people be overjoyed and even come to tears because of this also, and I am just grateful for the opportunities to love on them. Lord, this is the best thing we can do, and I hope that more people will do the same. This may also mean getting food from a fast-food restaurant and delivering it to the homeless person as well, which is love in the making. We have so much love in us to share with one another. It is just a matter of time that people get out of their comfort zone and start being a light unto the lost and broken-hearted. We can be a blessing of hope to another person at home to our neighbors, in stores and at the register, and on the streets. We are Your hands and feet and I will go and do what you would do if You were here. I love You, Lord. You are my greatest joy of all. Amen.
Let us read the Bible:
Note: Any Numbered References, found above, are listed below.
