2 Chronicles 17:12, New International Version

“Jehoshaphat became more and more powerful.”

Don’t we all desire to live a life of power, whether you are a believer or an unbeliever of Christ Jesus? The only difference is the use of that power—to overcome the world and reflect the glory of God, or to win the world and build your own kingdom.

As a believer of Jesus and a follower of the Word, we know what choice we should make because we have learned that “And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?” (Matthew 16:26, NLT). We also understand that “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” (Matthew 7:13-14, NIV)

However, in the walk with Jesus, many Christians are still living in their weakness and in a state of vulnerability. Some even refuse or hesitate to accept the power of God in their lives. Yet there are many who manipulate it as well.

First, I want you to know this truth: “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7, NKJV). God desires for you to live in His power!

Second, He wants you to have His power with a sound mind, by way of His love!

Let’s look at one of the statements about King Jehoshaphat of Judah: “Jehoshaphat became more and more powerful.” (2 Chronicles 17:12, NIV). What was happening in order for him to become a person who reigned more and more powerfully?

“The fear of the Lord fell on all the kingdoms of the lands surrounding Judah, so that they did not go to war against Jehoshaphat.” (2 Chronicles 17:10, NIV).

Why did the fear of the Lord fall on all the kingdoms of the lands surrounding Judah? This is what we should take to heart: “His heart was devoted to the ways of the Lord… In the third year of his reign he sent his officials… taking with them the Book of the Law of the Lord; they went around to all the towns of Judah and taught the people.” (2 Chronicles 17:6–7, 9, NIV).

Jesus—His Word is the authority (Matthew 28:18), and King Jehoshaphat of Judah had a heart devoted to the ways of the Lord. Simply put, he was faithfully submitting himself and what the Lord had entrusted to him, to God’s authority.

Therefore, if we seek the Lord with a right heart (Acts 8:21), there is no hesitation in receiving, moving in, and living out the power of the Lord in our lives. Instead, we should rejoice to dwell in the house of the Lord and see His reign in our lives!