Sometimes when we break something, as it is one of a kind, it cannot be replaced. Something that was mass produced can be replaced. Sometimes we lose money. Can it be replaced? Or is that which we lost, gone forever? In the past few weeks we have had several discussions, in different groups, on a similar topic. Money. When to work. When not to work. Triple time, double time. Today’s topic, is not about Sundays. Today’s topic is can God replace what you lose, when you follow his instruction? Everything we have is a test. What we get, or what we do not get; it’s all a test. When you get, do you give to the LORD? When you do not get, do you still meet your vow/commitments? A very tragic king, is Amaziah. He really incredibly followed God. They say, you never trip over a piano, but you trip over a small fold in the carpet. We can be most successful in the huge, large, tests of life. But we trip up and fall down on the small things. Such is Amaziah. He paid 100 talents of silver for troops from Israel 2 Chronicles 25:6-9. $1,650,000. A lot of silver for 1000 men. God told Amaziah, do not use men from Israel. They are pagan. He said, but what about the $1.6m I paid. A beautiful answer, if people can just hear this; 2 Chron 25: 9 the LORD can give you much more than this. If only people understand; make a stand for the LORD, He can easily replace any “overtime” you get. Sadly, most people have no trust in this verse, in YHWH, that He can give you more than you imagine, if you just obey the LORD. People have such little faith in God, to provide finances for them, more than they can imagine, and other things too, when they stand for the LORD. But what is the tragedy of Amaziah? He made a stand, for the LORD that few can make. God over and above money. Yet, he then got arrogant IN THE VICTORY, God gave him, and thought he won because of his own goodness. He became arrogant. He routed the men of Seir, without the Israelites. Killed 10,000 and then pushed 10,000 men over a cliff. He thought he was invincible. He picked a fight now with Israel. He was warned not to 2 Chron 25: 18-19. He didn’t listen. Went into battle and lost. He had massive trust in God. Sometimes we have great trust in God, to do big things, yet at the same time, have great errors of character. Amaziah had great trust in God. Chose God over money. But he also had great trust in his own achievements. People around him lost, because of his own self importance. We must never view ourselves more highly than we ought to Rom 12: 3. We must never think we are indispensable. All strong. All knowing. We should think of ourselves with sober judgement. What does that mean? Without drinking? It means, think. The world survived before you came. It will survive after you leave. But what is important, make yourself available where you are and when you can, so that God can use you for the period of time you are needed. Could be short time, or long time. Some teacher we needed just from January, others 1 year, other 10 years. In Eph 3: 20 it speaks of the verse 2 Chron 25: 9. God can replace anything you “lose” for him.
MCC Admin
7 Iyyar 5782