Pentecostal Evangel

King Jehoshaphat did his best to be faithful and obedient to the Lord. Jehoshaphat followed the example of his father and King David who had served the Lord before him. In time Jehoshaphat appointed judges in the fortified cities throughout the land to help him in governing the kingdom of Judah.

“He charged the judges: ‘This is serious work; do it carefully. You are not merely judging between men and women; these are God’s judgments that you are passing on. Live in the fear of God—be most careful, for God hates dishonesty, partiality, and bribery’ ” (2 Chronicles 19:6,7, The Message).

Now you might be tempted to think Jehoshaphat’s charge doesn’t apply to you because you are not a judge. However, his instructions are helpful for all leaders. Still, you might think, “I’m not a leader.” If you are a parent, you are a leader to your children; in fact all of us have the opportunity to be a leader or an example to someone. Nevertheless, I think Jehoshaphat’s directions apply to all of us for another reason: Jehoshaphat’s charge was given from his own experience as a man who wanted to please the Lord. Put another way, Jehoshaphat told the judges to do their work like he did his.

What can we learn from Jehoshaphat to be better leaders, better parents, better employees — to be better Christians?

Live and do your work carefully. As Christians we should do our best in everything; we should never be half-hearted about what we are asked to do. Be faithful. Be thoughtful. Be careful.

Live in the fear of the Lord. We are never free just to do our own thing. Everything we do should be done for the Lord with the awareness that God sees our every action, hears our every word and knows our every thought. I can never escape being accountable to God for my life, so I want to please the Lord in every area of my life.

Live a life of integrity — be real. God hates dishonesty. Be who you are in Christ every day. Don’t be a “Sunday only” Christian. Let your relationship with Christ impact how you live your life 24/7. Be genuine; people should know who you are and what you stand for.

— D. Greg Ebie is senior pastor of Praise Assembly of God in Garrettsville, Ohio, and an author of Daily Bread devotionals.

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