REMOVING the STUMBLING BLOCKS

We may glean several lessons from Jehoshaphat’s life. Although he made a marriage alliance with Ahab, king of Israel (2 Chr 18:1), and though he failed to utterly destroy the idolatrous high places toward the end of his reign in Judah (2 Chr 20:33), he was indeed a righteous king. He served the LORD as well as a sinner saved by grace was able. According to our verse, not only did Jehoshaphat possess a faithful heart toward YHVH God, keeping His commandments, but the king also took the high places away and removed the Asherim out of the land.

The life of God’s child is a life that is changed (2 Cor 5:17). It is a life that learns to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts (Titus 2:11-12). As we mature in faith, our heart should become courageous in the ways of the LORD, just as Jehoshaphat’s was. Moreover, as we grow in grace, we should learn to remove from our lives any stumbling blocks or hindrances that may fall in the paths of our brothers and sisters (Rom 14:13). This is what Jehoshaphat did when he took away the high places and the Asherim. He was king in Judah. If anyone could remove the idolatrous high places, it was him. Surely, we don’t have “high places” or “Asherim” in our city, state, or country today. Nevertheless, the corruptions of our mortal flesh carries with it temptations and potential idolatry centers. For the sake of others, as we grow in grace and are strengthened in faith, we should do whatever we can to keep our words, our deeds, and our behavior in general from being the reason or occasion for a brother or sister to stumble. Jesus said,

“By this all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:35

The greatest love we may display
Toward our precious Savior:
Take any stumbling block away
Soiling sav’d behavior.