I recently heard a well-known female speaker emphasize keeping focused on Jesus, then she referenced the story of King Jehoshaphat in 2 Chronicles 20. She proceeded to allude to the fact that in chapter 19 Jehoshaphat had acted decisively and that he was upright in all the while pondering why this army is now against him in chapter 20. As soon as I heard it, I was like, “Mmmmm. No, I don’t think that’s totally correct.” As I turned to 2 Chronicles, I recalled details from 2 Chronicles 18 where Jehoshaphat was actually rebuked for his alliance with the wicked King Ahab. Jehu the seer tells Jehoshaphat that helping a wicked king who loves those who hate God would invoke God’s wrath. Now despite this, Jehu praised Jehoshaphat in 2 Chronicles 19 for his efforts to remove idols and seeking God, despite his mistakes. However, Jehoshaphat disobeyed God. The reason for the vast army attacking them was because God was angry, and Jehoshaphat was out of order. So, the person I was listening to portrayed King Jehoshaphat as if he was a victim. No, King Jehoshaphat was out of order.

Let’s bring this home and talk about us. That’s right let’s talk about you and me. Proverbs 14 and 12 reminds us, “There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death.” How many times have you and I been out of order thinking that we can just say whatever we wanted to say, do whatever we wanted to do and there are no consequences. Let me remind us of what the word of God says in Romans 6 and 23, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.” In addition, Galatians chapter 6 verse 7 says, “Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.”

From Jonah to Sampson, to Peter and even to Monica, we have all been out of order. But, in order to get back in order, we must repent.

Today, it’s crucial for us to recognize when we’re not in alignment with God and His word. We know our actions and whether we’re following God’s word. If we find ourselves disobeying, repentance is mandatory. Acts chapter 3 verse 19 remind us, “Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away.”

Our reassuring truth is that the Holy Spirit will never abandon us. Therefore, repent and seek God’s guidance to align your life with His will.