LOYALTY is the TEST of TRUE LOVE
May 7
Bible Reading: 2 Chronicles Chapters 16-18
LOYALTY is the TEST of TRUE LOVE
"For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth,
to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him." (2 Chron 16:9)
When Baasha
the king of Israel came against Judah, King Asa took silver and gold from the
treasuries of the house of God and sent them to Ben-Hadad the king of Syria
asking for help. In the past, King Asa had trusted in God but now his heart was
not loyal to God. He had lost his trust in God being able to deliver him from
the army of Israel. In this connection, a reproof was given to King Asa by a
prophet of the Lord, for making a league with Syria.
God is
displeased when we distrust Him, and when we look to others for help rather
than God. It is foolish to lean on a broken reed when we have the Rock of ages
to rely upon. To convince Asa of his folly, the prophet shows that he, of all
men, had no reason to distrust God, who had found him such a powerful Helper.
The many experiences we have had of the goodness of God to us should never lead
us to distrust Him. In all conflicts and sufferings we need especially to look
to our own hearts that they may be perfect towards God, by faith, patience, and
obedience.
Let us remember the words of Jesus
and not put our confidence in uncertain riches and money: "No
one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other,
or else he will be loyal to the one and
despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon." (Matt 6:24).
Let us never love the world or the
things of the world over the things of God. "Do not love the
world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the
Father is not in him. For all that is in the world--the lust of the flesh, the
lust of the eyes, and the pride of life--is not of the Father but is of the
world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the
will of God abides forever." (1 John 2:15-17)
Let us be loyal to God alone, since God will show Himself strong on our behalf during the time of our need. Let us never forget that loyalty is the test of our true love for God!
