JUNE 5, 2025

  “We can't be afraid of change. You may feel very secure in the pond that you are in, but if you never venture out of it, you will never know that there is such a thing as an ocean, a sea. Holding onto something that is good for you now, may be the very reason why you don't have something better.” 

― C. JoyBell C. 

2 CHRONICLES 17-19

3The Lord was with Jehoshaphat because he followed the ways of his father David before him. He did not consult the Baals 4but sought the God of his father and followed his commands rather than the practices of Israel. 5The Lord established the kingdom under his control; and all Judah brought gifts to Jehoshaphat, so that he had great wealth and honor. 6His heart was devoted to the ways of the Lord; furthermore, he removed the high places and the Asherah poles from Judah.(17:3-6)

JOHN 15

1“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes^a so that it will be even more fruitful. 3You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

5“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

9“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14You are my friends if you do what I command. 15I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. 16You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. 17This is my command: Love each other.

JOURNAL 

King Jehoshaphat was a man of faith—deeply committed to following God. Scripture says plainly that “The Lord was with Jehoshaphat because he followed the ways of his father David before him… He sought the God of his father and followed his commands” (2 Chronicles 17:3–4). His obedience led to blessing, security, and influence. Yet even this godly king stumbled. In 2 Chronicles 18, he formed an alliance with Ahab, the king of Israel, a man known for wickedness and idolatry. This partnership ultimately led to disaster. Ahab was killed in battle, and Jehoshaphat barely escaped with his life.

This moment is a sobering reminder: even those who love and trust God can fall into dangerous compromise when they align themselves with the wrong influences. As 1 Corinthians 15:33 warns, “Do not be misled: ‘Bad company corrupts good character.’”

Still, God remains faithful. Jehoshaphat’s story doesn’t end in failure. Upon returning to Jerusalem, the prophet Jehu confronted him—not to condemn, but to correct. “Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the Lord? Because of this, the wrath of the Lord is on you. There is, however, some good in you” (2 Chronicles 19:2–3). Even in his misstep, God called Jehoshaphat back to purpose.

God promises strength, wisdom, and provision to those who remain connected to Him. Jesus echoed this in John 15:5, saying, “If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” The challenge isn’t only in hearing God’s Word—it’s in daily choosing to walk in it, even when life surprises us, when fear rises, or when shortcuts seem tempting.

The call of Scripture is not to remain in what feels safe by the world’s standards. Rather, it is to remain rooted in God’s truth, where real security and joy are found. As Joshua 1:9 declares: “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Obedience doesn’t always mean ease. It often means being pushed from the nest—called to climb spiritual mountains, confront adversity, and walk by faith into the unknown. But this is the very essence of the Christian life: not passive religion, but courageous adventure. And as Jesus reminds us, “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete” (John 15:11).

True joy isn’t found in staying comfortable—it’s found in staying connected.
That is the journey. That is the reward.

 6Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

PHILIPPIANS 4:4-9