March 4^th, 1959 “Following God” Late Mr. N. Daniel

II Chronicles 20:1-4, 12&13

“All Judah stood before the Lord, with their little ones, their wives and children.”

Jehoshaphat, when he came to rule the kingdom, sent out messengers throughout the kingdom to teach them the Word of God. He saw to it that the land was cleansed from all heathen altars and the groves that grew around the altars. With the worship of God there can be some times a mixture of heathen worship. Heathen worship means bringing in darkness. Evil spirits see to it that our hearts are not established in true faith. The leader of the group should seek the Lord afresh again and again. Jehoshaphat sought the Lord this way.

God is going to reward you abundantly in your families if you really take responsibility in the kingdom of God. Some are too busy to bear any burden of the kingdom. They may run here and there because there is a subtle desire for prominence. Their enthusiasm will soon run out. Our work is to mind our prayer life. The praying man can sway the country’s Parliament.

Jehoshaphat started well but he had one blind spot and that ruined his family. He associated with a man on whom God’s judgement was heavy. He narrowly escaped death himself, but his family did not. It was ruined. You can wear the name of the Fellowship and run here and there and finally produce nothing. You should follow God’s will individually in your life. If you lose the unction, it is difficult to get it again.

Jehoshaphat unified the whole country in its attempt to seek the Lord. When you really serve the Lord, there will be much criticism. But be true to God and His Word. You will not be defeated. Isaiah 26:9 “With my soul have I desired thee in the night yea with my spirit within me will I seek thee early, for when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.” These days we have in general a mental Christianity but not a spiritual Christianity.

Job 32:8 “There is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding.” Jehoshaphat searched himself and proclaimed a fast. Fasting has become a kind of way to bribe God. God is not going to be bribed by fasting. It must be spirit-led. Without setting things right, there is no use of fasting. We need to live on a high level of spiritual contact with God.

New converts should not preach. They should only give their witness humbly when the Lord asks them to witness. You must be careful in joining a group that is advanced in spiritual life. It is dangerous for a novice to enter into the inner group. Jesus did not allow the demoniac to join his disciples immediately after conversion. There is no place here for people who seek prominence. Only those who wish to serve God humbly can be in the Fellowship.