SEEKING THE LORD

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well”
(Matthew 6:33)

I. Seeking the Lord when you are under attack

A. “Man is born to trouble, as surely as sparks fly upward” (Job 5:7; John
10:10).
B. The best way to handle trouble is to choose to seek the Lord and His ways
beforehand, e.g., King Asa, grandson of King Solomon (II Chronicles 14:1-5).
C. When a massive army attacked King Asa, he “called to the Lord” II Chronicles
14:9-13). Prayer looks weak but is powerful and intuitive. Prayer flows most
easily from a person who already has a lifestyle of seeking the Lord.
D. Sometimes trouble comes so God can add to our lives (II Corinthians 14:13).
E. After the battle the nation committed themselves to seek the Lord even
more. The result was “rest on every side” (II Chronicles 15:10-15).

II. Seeking the Lord about our alliances

A. Who you partner with makes all the difference in your life (Isaiah 30:1-3).
B. After 36 years of success King Asa was blinded by a fearful situation and
exchanged his partnership with God for a pagan king’s protection (II
Chronicles 16:1-3, 7-13).
C. God is intensely looking all over the earth for the express purpose of blessing
those who are fully committed to Him. How happy are those who seek the
Lord! (II Chronicles 16:9; Romans 8:31-32)

III. Sometimes we have to learn from our mistakes and return to the place of
seeking the Lord again.

A. Example of King Jehoshaphat and King Ahab—“Bad company corrupts good

morals” (I Corinthians 15:33) and distorts the voice of God (II Chronicles
18:1-7, 28-32; 19:1-3).
B. Jehoshaphat learned from his mistakes (II Chronicles 20:1-5, 12-30).
1. Jehoshaphat didn’t presume to use his million-man army (II Chronicles
17:14-19).
2. He received good guidance, because he took the time to seek the Lord
(II Chronicles 20:12-13).
3. One of the most powerful weapons we seek the Lord with is worship
(II Chronicles 20:22).
4. Great plunder can come from big problems (II Chronicles 20:25;
Romans 8:28).
5. The result was peace and rest on every side (II Chronicles 20:29-30).

Mike Hudgins
October 20 & 21, 2018