The benefits of recognizing your powerlessness and God’s power in city-wide kingdom ministry include:
1. Preserve unity of spirit by listening to counsel of older mentors
2. Resist subjection to unrighteous leaders by resisting over-confidence and pride
3. Defeat spiritual enemies by calling upon God as your leader
4. Prevent men from prevailing by recognizing His power
5. Be rewarded for your work being strong and not giving up
6. Be strengthened and delivered when fully committed to God
7. Produce fear of Lord and financial provision by mobilizing teaching ambassadors and spiritual warriors
Preserve Unity of Spirit by Listening to Counsel of Older Mentors
Israel asked Rehoboam to lighten the harsh labor and heavy yoke his father, Solomon, put on them. Rehobaum consulted the elders who served Solomon. They said to be kind and give them favorable answer so they would always serve him. He rejected that advice and listened to the young men he grew up who said to make their yoke heavier. Rehoboam did not listen to the people as these events were from God to fulfill God’s word spoken to Jeroboam. They had no partnership with David and looked after their own house instead. So Israel was in rebellion against the house of the David to this day (2 Chron. 10:1-19). Preserve unity of the spirit by listening to counsel of older mentors so you can rule in your sphere of influence.
Prevent Subjection to Unrighteous Leaders by Resisting Over-Confidence and Pride
Rehoboam listened to God’s word and did not war against Israel. He fortified cities in Judah and Benjamin, strengthened their defenses and put commanders in them supplying them with food, shields and spears. The priests, Levites and those who set their heart on seeking God came to Judah and Jerusalem. Jeroboam rejected the priests and appointed his own priests for the high places and made goat and calf idols. After Rehoboam became established as king, he and all Israel abandoned God’s law. Their unfaithfulness led to Shishak king of Egypt attacking Jerusalem and capturing the fortified cities of Judah. When Israel’s leaders and Rehoboam humbled themselves, God sent deliverance instead of pouring His wrath through Shishak. They became subject to him to learn the difference between serving God and the kings of other lands. Shishak carried off the treasures of the temple and royal palace including the gold shields. Rehoboam did evil because he had not set his heart on seeking God. There was continual warfare between Rehoboam and Jeroboam (2 Chron. 11:1-12:16). Prevent subjection to unrighteous leaders by resisting over-confidence and pride.
Defeat Spiritual Enemies by Calling Upon God as Your Leader
Abijah king of Judah told Jeroboam he forsook God who was his leader. His priests with their trumpets sounded the battle cry against Israel. Abijah warned them not to fight against the Lord, the God of their fathers, since they would not succeed. When Judah cried out to the Lord after being attacked from the front and ambushed in the rear, God routed Jeroboam and all Israel. He delivered 500,000 dead among Israel’s able men in Judah’s hands. Jeroboam did not regain power during the time of Abijah (2 Chron. 13:1-22). Defeat spiritual enemies by calling upon God as your leader.
Prevent Men from Prevailing by Recognizing Your Powerlessness and God’s Power
Asa did what was good and right in God’s eyes. He removed the foreign altars and high places, smashed the sacred stones and cut down the Asherah poles. He commanded Judah to seek the Lord and obey His commands. The kingdom was at peace under him. He build up the fortified cities of Judah and put walls, towers, gates and bars around them. They sought the Lord, had rest and prospered. Asa called to the Lord to help the powerless against the mighty army of Zerah the Cushite with 300 chariots so man would not prevail against Him. They were crushed for the terror of the Lord fell upon them and plundered their villages (2 Chron. 14:1-15). Prevent men from prevailing by recognizing your powerlessness and God’s power.
Be Rewarded for Your Work Being Strong and Not Giving Up
God was found by those who sought Him. He forsook those who forsook Him. Azariah reminded Asa that Israel was without the true God, priest to teach and the law but in their distress they turned and were found by Him. He told Asa to be strong and not give up since his work would be rewarded. Asa took courage, removed the detestable idols from Judah, Benjamin and towns captured in Ephraim. He repaired the altar in front of the Lord’s temple. He assembled large numbers of people and they sacrificed 700 cattle, 7000 sheep and goats from the plunder they brought back. They entered into a covenant to seek the Lord with all their heart and soul. Asa deposed his grandmother Maacah from her position as queen mother and burned the Asherah pole she made. He did not remove the high places, but his heart was fully committed to the Lord. He brought into the temple silver, gold and articles that he and his father dedicated (2 Chron. 15:1-19). Be rewarded for your work by being strong and not giving up.
Be Strengthened and Delivered When Fully Committed to God
Asa paid Ben-Hadad king of Aram to break his treaty with Baasha king of Israel so he would withdraw and stop building Ramah. Asa used those stones to build up Geba and Mizpah. Hanani the seer told Asa that he relied on the king of Aram and not the Lord. He reminded Asa that God delivered him from Cushites’ and Libyans’ mighty armies when he relied on the Lord. The eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him. Because Asa did a foolish thing, he had continual war. He became angry with the seer and brutally oppressed some of the people. Asa sought help only from the physicians and not the Lord when he had severe disease in his feet. He died two years later (2 Chron. 16:1-14). Be strengthened and delivered when you are fully committed to God.
Produce Fear of Lord and Financial Provision By Mobilizing Teaching Ambassadors and Spiritual Warriors
Jehoshaphat stationed troops in all the fortified cities of Judah and put garrisons in Judah and Ephraim. He walked in the ways his father David followed and did not consult the Baals. He sought the Lord and followed His commands rather than the practices of Israel. The Lord established the kingdom under Jehoshaphat’s control and Judah brought great gifts so he had wealth and honor. His heart was devoted to the ways of the Lord and removed the high places and Asherah poles from Judah. He sent officials, certain Levites and two priests to teach the people the Book of the Law of the Lord throughout Judah. The fear of the Lord fell on all the kingdoms of the lands surrounding Judah so they did not war against Jehoshaphat. Some Philistines brought him gifts and silver as tribute and Arabs brought 7700 rams and 7700 goats. Jehoshaphat became more powerful and built forts and store cities with large supplies. He kept experienced fighting men in Jerusalem who served the king. Others were stationed in the fortified cities throughout Judah (2 Chron. 17:1-19). Produce the fear of the Lord and financial provision by mobilizing ambassadors to teach God’s word and stationing spiritual warriors in every city.
Recognize your powerlessness and God’s power by praying what the Holy Spirit brings to your mind regarding kingdom ministry in your particular circumstances.
