Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1898-09-28
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL.
LESSON u, FOURTH QUARTER, INTER-
NATIONAL SERIES, OCT. 9.

MS stead ana strengthened nlmSelI against
Israel" Israel, or the ten tribes, had
proved themselves to be the enemies of
God, and to stand with God means to
stand against His enemies (Jas. ", a.
How great the contrast in chapter xviii,
/, where we see Jehosaphat joining Atm
ity with Ahab, the king of Israel. and thus
necessitating the rebuke Of the Lord in
chapter xix, 2, "Shouldest thou help the
ungodly and love them that hate the
Lordf' To be for God at all times and
under all circumstances is rare thing
and is seen perfectly only in the Lord Je-
sus Christ.
2. "And he placed forces in all the
fenced cities of Judah" Every king was
king for the Lord Oh Chron. TX, 81, and
his strength was to be In the Lord and not
in horses and chariots (Deut. xvii, 16).
When we put our trust in things visible,
we are apt to cease to see and rely upon
God (Jer. xvii, 81. This is a constant
temptation and snare The Lord is often
proving us as He did Philip, and we, like
Philip, venture to suggest to Him how 1t
might be done, but all the while He Him
self knows what He will do John vi,
6-7). When we obediently and trustfully,
under Gods guidance, make ordinary
provision, all is well. The difficulty is
when we cease to see God.
8. "And the Lord was with Jehosaphat I"
This is the secret Of all blessing. The Lord
was with Joseph (Gen xxx, 2, 8, 81, 23).
The Lord was with David (II Sam. Y.
10). His comfort to Moses, Joshua, Gid
con and Jeremiah was the assurance that
He was with them eek. iii, 10; Josh. 1,
g.; Judg. vi, 16; Jer. l, 81. So when the
Lord Jesus sent His followers into all the
world the greatest encouragement He
could give them was His assurance: "All
power is given unto Me In heaven and on
earth. Go ye, therefore, and, 10, am with
you Away, even unto the end Of tho age"
(Math. xviii, 1920.
4. "He sought to the Lord God Of his
father and walked in His command
ments." 1t is written of Zacharias and
Elizabeth that they were both righteous
before God, walking in all the command
ments and ordinances of the Lord blame
less duke ], 81. God had said to Israel
that If they would obey His voice and keep
His covenant, they would be peculiar
treasure unto Him above all people eek.
xix, 81, and in Titus ii, ii Or. W, it is
written that lie gave Himself for US to
redeem us from all iniquity and purify
unto Himself people for His own posses
sion, jealous of good works.
8. Therefore tho Lord established the
kingdom in his hand" Joshua was told
that If no would observe to do according
to all the law, his way would be prosper
GUS and he would have good success( Joshua
!, 2, 81. In II Chron. Xxx, 20, Jehoshaphat
is heard saying to the people, "Belieye in
the Lord your God, SO shall ye be estab-
lished," and in lisa. vii, 8, is the contrast,
"If 20 will not believe, surely ye shall not
DO established" In God and in His word
is the only establishment, for oil else shall
be shaken. Wherefore we receiving king
dom which cannot be shaken let us have
grace whereby we may serve God accept
ably with reverence and godly fear, for
our God is consuming fire (Heb. xii, 80,
29).
6. "And his heart was lifted up in the
ways of the Lord" The margin says that
he was encouraged In the ways Of the
Lord; those who seek to walk in the way
Of the Lord shall not lack encouragement
to continue therein. There will be many
handful dropped for us on purpose to
lead US in His way ruth II, 16). They
that wait upon the Lord shall renew their
strength, they shall mount up with wings
as eagles lisa. xl, 81. The way Of the
Lord was SO attractive and enjoyable that
the way of the world and the devil became
distasteful and the high places and groves
were taken away. We cannot walk with
God unless we humble ourselves SO to do
and make up our minds to be agreed with
Him (Mic. vi, s; Amos iii, 3D..
2. "Also in the third year Of his reign
no sent to his princes to teach in tho cities
of Judah" What a suggestive foreshadow-
ing of the time when "a king shall reign
in righteousness and princes shall rule In
Judgment, and the work of righteousness
shall be peace, and the effect of righteous
ness, quietness and assurance forever"
lisa. xxi, /, ~. There cannot DO any
thing more important than that men
should know the Lord and His ways, and
when kings and princes take up this as
their mission, the kingdom will either
have como or be very near. just now our
government has given 1000. 900 for de-
fensc, for the purchase or manufacture Of
warships or war material, but was 1t ever
heard that any government ever gave even
81 200, 900 to make known the living God?
8. "And with them Levites and priests.
The priests lips should keep knowledge,
and they should seek tho law at his mouth,
for he Is the messenger of the Lord Of
hosts (Mal. ii, y. Their calling Is SIM
ply set forth in II Chron. xxx, II, In
these words, "My sons, DO not now negli-
gent, for the Lord hath chosen you to
stand before Him to serve Him and that
ye should minister unto Him and burn in
cense." Priests, prophets and kings were
to recognize God alone as their Master and
live only unto Him.
o. "And they taught In Judah and had
the book of the law of the Lord with them
and went about throughout all the cities
Of Judah and taught the people" There
Is nothing on earth SO heavenly as tho
Word Of God. 1t Is all "true from the be-
ginning" and forever settled in heaven"
(Ps cxix, 80, 1907. We are to receive 1t
meekly, hold it fast, rightly divide 1t and
hold 1t forth, for 1t is an engrafted word,
faithful word, a word Of truth and Q
word of life (Jas. 1, 81; Titus 1, o; II Tim.
II, 10; Phil, II, 16). II all ministers and
teachers taught only the Word of God and
honored 1t as the Word of God, how much
more would be accomplished for God! But
when those who profess to be its friends
dishonor and even set aside many portions
of 1t what shall we says just this "For-
ever. Q Lord. thy word is settled in
heaven"
10. "Apd the fear of tho Lord fell upon
all the Kingdoms of the lands that were
round about Judah" There was no war.
Other nations brought presents and trib
ute, and Jehosaphat waxed great exceed