Better Each Day

Every day of your new kingdom life is better because of the love of Jesus.

“Jehoshaphat his son succeeded him as king...The LORD was with Jehoshaphat because he followed the ways of his father David before him. He did not consult the Baals but sought the God of his father and followed his commands rather than the practices of Israel. The LORD established the kingdom under his control; and all Judah brought gifts to Jehoshaphat, so that he had great wealth and honor. His heart was devoted to the ways of the LORD; furthermore, he removed the high places...they went around to all the towns of Judah and taught the people. Jehoshaphat became more and more powerful; he built forts and store cities in Judah and had large supplies in the towns of Judah. He also kept experienced fighting men in Jerusalem...Amasiah...volunteered himself for the service of the LORD” ‭‭2 Chronicles‬ ‭17‬:‭1‬-16

The apple does not often fall far from the tree. In this chapter, we see Jehoshaphat has the heart of his ancestors, the family of David, and he sought the Lord. His legacy was one of seeking and following God. His life is evidence of a spiritual law at work. The Lord loves those who love Him. Those who seek Him, find Him. He honored the Lord and the Lord honored Him. This is what a healthy relationship looks like. Love lifting each other higher.

Think of how when Solomon was asked what He wanted God to do for him and he asked for wisdom to be able to honor God with how he governed. Jehoshaphat did the same thing. He did not pursue wealth and prosperity before pursuing God. He pursued God and everything else came. Our lives reflect our hearts and ultimately the desires we have within them. The life that pursues God first shows a heart desiring to draw close and dwell with God. When we say God I want you above anything else, what we find is we are blessed beyond measure. God does not hold anything back for those who love Him above everything earthly.

The author takes time to note that Jehoshaphat went around teaching the law to others. He found the pearl of great price in his personal relationship with God, but he did not keep his prosperity to himself. He wanted others to be lifted by the love and laws of God. So he went on a journey to share with his fellow Jews. How about you? Has Jesus changed your life? What have you learned from Him? Are you actively sharing with others? Or are you keeping it to yourself?

The author also takes time to note the person who volunteers. Most people did their duty out of obligation. The soldier was required to serve. The people were assigned duties. But, what does it say about the heart of Amasiah that he volunteered for the service of the Lord? How different is doing what you do out of a position of strength because something matters so much to you that you choose to do it? What are you volunteering for? Are you someone eager to serve or do you have to be asked or told to do something before you step up? What honors God more? Those who honor God will be honored by God.

“How lovely is your dwelling place, LORD Almighty! My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the LORD; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God. Blessed are those who dwell in your house; they are ever praising you. Blessed are those whose strength is in you, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage. As they pass through the Valley of Baka, they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools. They go from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion. Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked. For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless. LORD Almighty, blessed is the one who trusts in you.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭84‬:‭1‬-‭12

Why would anyone volunteer for a life of service and sacrifice? Why would someone choose to follow Jesus knowing it will involve carrying your cross, loving your enemies, and putting others first? What do you think motivated the author of this song? Look at his words. It is inseparable, unconditional, overflowing, transformative love. It is God's presence. There is simply nothing better. The greatest gift that God gives us is Himself. You have full access to the King of Kings and Creator of the Universe. God is love. You have access and are invited to daily dwell with perfect love and out of that love go from a position of strength.

Our world can make you feel less than. It can make you feel like you are operating out of a deficit or that you do not belong. This can lead to a mindset of scarcity with a life marked by fear. God wants to flip the script. He was to rewire your synaptic cortex. Jesus said change the way you think. You are not alone nor ever going to not have your daily bread. You are made in the image of God and made to serve out of a position of strength. The psalmist says you go from strength to strength. How different is this than we often feel? How different would it be if everywhere you went and everything you did was out of a position of strength?

Better is one day with God. Blessed are the ones whose hearts are set on pilgrimage. Following Jesus will not be easy. Operating from a position of strength does not mean you will not have valleys. Following Jesus means you travel through the valleys with the One who has the map to the other side. The psalmist says you pass through the valley and make it a place of springs. Do you see what that means? Everywhere you go, as you bring the love of Jesus with you, you change the world. You bring light into the darkness. You operate out of a place of fullness of the love of God bringing love that has so radically changed you that you cannot help but impact others.

The psalmist says no good thing does God withhold from those who trust in Him. What would happen if every day you declared out loud that the Lord God is with you and will withhold nothing from you that you need. How would that declaration of faith calm the fires of fear? God wants you to learn to see that you are strong so you can be courageous. He wants you to operate with a mindset of abundance so you can be generous. He wants you to know that wherever you go and whatever you do, nothing can separate you from the fullness of His love. Will you believe in His Power, His Provision, His Presence, and His Promises as you go today?

“Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring. Let someone else praise you, and not your own mouth; an outsider, and not your own lips. Be wise, my son, and bring joy to my heart; then I can answer anyone who treats me with contempt. The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty. As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. As water reflects the face, so one’s life reflects the heart. Death and Destruction are never satisfied, and neither are human eyes. The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but people are tested by their praise. Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds;” ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭27‬:‭1‬-23

God poured abundant wisdom into Solomon and he took the time to teach others like Jehoshaphat. Imagine if Solomon had just kept all this wisdom for himself. Imagine never getting to read Proverbs 3 or Proverbs 27 today. What a loss that would be for our world. Thankfully, he chose to share what he learned about God with others and we all are blessed by his generosity. This is what happens when you offer your story, your strengths, and your sacrifices to God. He multiplies them. Love always multiplies. The impact is always exponential and the ripple effect of love goes far beyond what the eyes can see or mind imagine.

What did Solomon share in this chapter? He said be present. Dwell with God today and do not let your mind drift to tomorrow. The mind that is focused on the future is often driven by the desires of the flesh. Be careful not to be so consumed by what is to come that you miss the moments where you can be Christ to someone near you.

Solomon said bring joy to the Father. Can you see God smiling? Do you know that you can bring joy to Jesus today? How you may ask? Be like iron that sharpens iron. Know the condition of your flock. Let your life reflect a heart so devoted to God that the most important part of your plans is your pilgrimage of loving the world as only you can do. How could you share the love you have received, now, in this moment?

Solomon gave us a warning. He said human eyes are never satisfied. He would know. This man had more stuff than Julius Caesar. He was the Elon Musk of ancient times with all a person could ever want, yet what does he say? Be careful about coveting. Human eyes always want more and are never satisfied. Human eyes desire what the flesh desires. We live in a world that markets to human eyes. Did you notice how the psalmist today did not mention gold, jewelry, or possessions? The only thing that possessed him was possessing more of God's presence. We find freedom in our hearts when we focus on God above all else. God knows what we need and He blesses abundantly, but He tests our hearts to see what we really want most.

The opposite of human eyes are spiritual eyes. The Spirit wants what the Heavenly Father wants. Spiritual eyes see differently. They see how and who they can love. They know that the first shall be last and the last shall be first. They look at people like Jesus looked at people. They see from a position of strength and seek God's will above worldly goods. Will you ask God for eyes to see today?

“Now the cherubim were standing on the south side of the temple when the man went in, and a cloud filled the inner court. Then the glory of the LORD rose from above the cherubim and moved to the threshold of the temple. The cloud filled the temple, and the court was full of the radiance of the glory of the LORD. The sound of the wings of the cherubim could be heard as far away as the outer court, like the voice of God Almighty when he speaks.” ‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭10‬:‭3‬-‭5‬

Something special happens when God fills a space. In Ezekiel 10 we see God fill the court and the radiance of the glory of the Lord was on full display. Do you think it is possible that the psalmist had experienced this glory? It has been said that people who have near death experiences or die momentarily experience a peace that surpasses understanding. Many have testified to a love so perfect that they did not want to leave. Better is one moment with God, than a thousand elsewhere because in God is the fullness of love. Do you want more of that in your life? Do you want more of God's presence? Let His glory fill you. ‭

“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live. For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”‭‭Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭1‬-‭39

Where do you begin to digest the abundance of truth in this text? Romans 8 is likely Thanksgiving dinner. You will not leave hungry. Take time to dwell in the house of God on the truths of God's word. This is like reading any of the lengthy disclosures that you have to agree to when you sign up for a new service plan, only full of promises rather than prohibitive language like your cell phone plan agreement.

Count the promises of the pilgramage of following Jesus. There is now no condemnation. If God does not condemn you, maybe you should stop condemning yourself and others. You do not have to be afraid. You are a child of God. An heir to the throne. The Holy Spirit and Jesus Christ intercede on your behalf. All the time. You do not have to be an expert or educated. One of your holiest prayers can be an utteral groan. God works all things for good. All things. All the time. God is for you. God's love can never separate you. You are more than a conqueror and set free to live from a position of strength.

Consider the implications for you life. If everywhere you go, God is with you, should you ever fear anything? If God is for you, can anything ever stop you? What step of faith would you take if you knew you would succeed? What bold prayer would you pray? What adventure would you embark upon? What seemingly impossible mountain of misery would you command to move in Jesus name? The greatest issue in your life will never be what you have done wrong. Jesus paid the price for that sin. None of us should be defined by our worst day. That day cannot separate you from the love of Christ. Rather, we should live from a place of strength. We should let the abundance of our inheritance lead us to boldness and belief that we can make a difference.

Be honest. You have not yet fully embraced Romans 8 or Psalm 84. That's okay. We are all on a pilgramage. One where we will dwell in the courts of our King Jesus daily delighting by His side. Before then, we should do what we can. We should make springs and bring life as we walk through valleys. Like Jehoshaphat, Solomon, and our psalmist today, we should care enough to share with others the love we have out of the gifts we have been given. Know the condition of your flocks. You have influence. Iron is strong. Sharpen someone else today. Let your life reflect a heart full of the love of Jesus that set you free. Life is better when you know you are loved and operate out of a position of strength. So be strong and courageous for He is always with you.