Here was a march in faith, a song of faith, and preparations of faith for yet further praise. O that we could all advance to our daily trials in such a spirit, we should then experience great deliverances from, the Lord’s hand.
2Ch_20:22
The people sang more or less all the way they went, from the time they set out, but when they came near the enemy they sang louder and louder, and then the Lord began to work, for the various nations mistook one another for enemies, and the Lord turned their own ambushments against themselves.
2Ch_20:24
They marched with hallelujahs, and were more than conquerors, for they needed not to strike a blow. Let us as a family make up a hallelujah band, and continually magnify the Lord.
2Ch_20:25
Faith wins even more than she expects, a blessing which she has not room enough to receive.
2Ch_20:26
And on the fourth day they assembled themselves in the valley of Berachah; or Blessing
2Ch_20:27-28
Those who praise before the blessing are sure to praise afterwards. What a glorious Te Deum did they chant before the Lord.
Psalms 47
We will now read the Psalm which in all probability was sung by the people upon their triumphant return to the temple.
Psa_47:1-9
When the Lord Jesus shall return a second time from overcoming all his foes, and ours, we shall rejoice in some such words as these. Even now we may sing unto the Lord, for he hath triumphed gloriously. His own right hand and his holy arm have gotten him the victory.
Evening
“
Our God is a consuming fire.”
2Ki_1:2-13
; 2Ki_1:15-17
We now return to the history of the kingdom of Israel.
2Ki_1:2
And Ahaziah the son of Ahab
2Ki_1:2
Shame that an Israelite should go to the Philistines for a deity, and leave the God of heaven for the god of flies.
2Ki_1:3-4
His appearance was abrupt and his departure sudden. How astonished must the messengers of Ahaziah have been to meet with a man who knew their business, and gave them an answer to a question which they had never mentioned to him.
2Ki_1:5-8
Then, like a true son of Jezebel, he resolved to slay Elijah, reckoning that he would never rest so long as the troublesome prophet survived.
2Ki_1:9-10
We have to deal with another and gentler prophet who rebuked his disciples when they spoke of calling down fire from heaven upon his enemies. Elijah, under a different dispensation, met the wrath of a king by a calm act of faith, and the band who came to take him lay dead at his feet.
2Ki_1:11
He was more peremptory than the first, and would have the prophet hasten to surrender. He thus courted destruction.
2Ki_1:13
This captain was wise, and being forced to perform a dangerous task, cast himself on the prophet’s mercy. Humility turns aside the sword of vengeance. It is well to be lowly before the Lord.
2Ki_1:15
Boldly he entered the gates of Samaria, and passed into the royal palace, fearless of Jezebel: the Lord put such dignity upon his servant that no man laid hands upon him.
