Stop Trying to Control The Outcome
and don’t forget who got you there…
5 Amaziah called the people of Judah together and assigned them according to their families to commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds for all Judah and Benjamin. He then mustered those twenty years old or more and found that there were three hundred thousand men fit for military service, able to handle the spear and shield. 6 He also hired a hundred thousand fighting men from Israel for a hundred talents of silver.
7 But a man of God came to him and said, “Your Majesty, these troops from Israel must not march with you, for the Lord is not with Israel—not with any of the people of Ephraim. 8 Even if you go and fight courageously in battle, God will overthrow you before the enemy, for God has the power to help or to overthrow.”
9 Amaziah asked the man of God, “But what about the hundred talents I paid for these Israelite troops?”
The man of God replied, “The Lord can give you much more than that.”
10 So Amaziah dismissed the troops who had come to him from Ephraim and sent them home. They were furious with Judah and left for home in a great rage.
14 When Amaziah returned from slaughtering the Edomites, he brought back the gods of the people of Seir. He set them up as his own gods, bowed down to them and burned sacrifices to them. 15 The anger of the Lord burned against Amaziah, and he sent a prophet to him, who said, “Why do you consult this people’s gods, which could not save their own people from your hand?”
16 While he was still speaking, the king said to him, “Have we appointed you an adviser to the king? Stop! Why be struck down?”
So the prophet stopped but said, “I know that God has determined to destroy you, because you have done this and have not listened to my counsel.”
20 Amaziah, however, would not listen, for God so worked that he might deliver them into the hands of Jehoash, because they sought the gods of Edom. 21 So Jehoash king of Israel attacked. He and Amaziah king of Judah faced each other at Beth Shemesh in Judah. 22 Judah was routed by Israel, and every man fled to his home. 23 Jehoash king of Israel captured Amaziah king of Judah, the son of Joash, the son of Ahaziah, at Beth Shemesh. ~2 Chronicles 25:5-10; 14-16; 20-23~
when you think you are in control by managing a situation that is greater than you are capable of handling, it is humbling when it comes crashing down. in verses 5-6, amaziah tried to do just that; he got his men ready and purchased others for battle. although he listened that time and was victorious with God’s help, his heart was turned away to the so-called other gods of the edomites, the people of seir that he battled and began worshiping them. this caused God to turn from him, losing his blessings (earthly kingdom) and, ultimately, life.
this is a reminder for me to truly seek God, finding out what He wants me to do and how to do it. instead of waiting on Him, my tendencies have been to a rush and try to handle the situation on my own. reflectively, most, if not all, of the time i failed miserably and my family and i suffered, both short and long term. while they have different names - money, drugs, adultery, pride, anger, jealousy, etc., they are really all trying to be that god/idol in your life which you desire more or have placed above than the One and Only True God.
in the height of winning or success, there had been moments in my life where i forgot how i got there, sadly even allowing pride to get in the way. one part is that i forgot God, the other then was focused on what i did, and possibly a small portion the role others played.
as i’ve gained wisdom while growing older, i know apart from God, from Jesus, i am not able to accomplish all the big things that i want to. as hard as i try and want it badly, if it isn’t Our Heavenly Father’s plan for my life, it will not succeed. with The Lord going ahead and with me, i have accomplished much and want to do more for Kingdom purposes and not for my own benefit. with The Lord’s help, i’ve been able to minimize, and other eliminate, my desires for ungodly things. don’t want to waste and lose my life because of them.
Father God, thank you for the times You’ve prompted and shown me the areas of my life where i need to be and go. help me to be more attentive when you are asking of me for other things and commitments of me so that i can be used to bring you glory, honor, and praise, not disappointment, shame, frustration, and even anger. i humbly ask this in Jesus’ name, amen!