2 Kings 14

Then Amaziah sent messengers to Jehoash the son of Jehoahaz, the son of Jehu, king of Israel, saying, "Come, let us face one another in battle." And Jehoash king of Israel sent to Amaziah king of Judah, saying, "The thistle that was in Lebanon sent to the cedar that was in Lebanon, saying, 'Give your daughter to my son as wife'; and a wild beast that was in Lebanon passed by and trampled the thistle. You have indeed defeated Edom, and your heart has lifted you up. Glory in that, and stay at home; for why should you meddle with trouble so that you fall—you and Judah with you?" But Amaziah would not heed. Therefore Jehoash king of Israel went out; so he and Amaziah king of Judah faced one another at Beth Shemesh, which belongs to Judah. And Judah was defeated by Israel, and every man fled to his tent.

(2Ki 14:8-12)

Yesterday we talked about the importance of FINISHING the work God has called you to do. Today we focus on NOT STARTING things that God HASN’T called you to do. Here Amaziah gets himself and all of Judah in a real mess. The sad part is it was a completely avoidable mess. He just decides that it would be good and fun to do battle with Israel, and so he threatens them. Israel says, “You’re barking up the wrong tree pal, don’t start something you can’t finish”. Amaziah responds by saying, “I will start this”, and the next thing you know he and all of Judah have been defeated.

Yesterday we noted that the Lord always gives us the strength we need to finish the tasks He has called us to do. Today we see that He doesn’t give us the strength we need to finish the task WE have decided to do on our own. We can’t just go for something, say it seems good, and expect the Lord to bless it. We need to seek HIM and find out what HE wants us to do.

We have no record at all in these circumstances of Amaziah seeking the Lord, and that is precisely why he was defeated; it was a battle he was never intended to fight! What about you? Are you involved in tasks you can’t finish; fighting battles you weren’t meant to fight? TURN TO THE LORD. Cast those cares on Him, and find out where He wants you to go and what He wants you to do from this point forward. Don’t decide what you are going to do and then ask the Lord to bless it… seek HIS will and ask Him for the strength you need to KEEP it!