2 Chronicles 13: 10 – 12
“As for us, the LORD is our God, and we have not forsaken him. The priests who serve the LORD are sons of Aaron, and the Levites assist them. 11 Every morning and evening they present burnt offerings and fragrant incense to the LORD. They set out the bread on the ceremonially clean table and light the lamps on the gold lampstand every evening. We are observing the requirements of the LORD our God. But you have forsaken him. 12 God is with us; he is our leader. His priests with their trumpets will sound the battle cry against you. Men of Israel, do not fight against the LORD, the God of your fathers, for you will not succeed.”
Philippians 4: 8 & 9
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
Observation:
“As for us” is an amazing phrase. It is spoken in the midst of a time in which people rebelled, some totally violated God’s law and order, others were blessed with success only due to that of their forefathers, like David and the promises God made to him about his future and legacy. In the midst of the wars of Jeroboam and Rehoboam, in which 400,000 on one side and 800,000 on the other side fought it out – we find these words, “As for us.” These words set the stage of contrast. As I read them, I can hear the heart of those who speak them. As for us, we have not forsaken God, we have not ceased to worship Him. We start our day with worship and offerings and keeping all the requirements of our God. As for us, we are with the Lord. As for you, you have forsaken Him. With us: God is our leader and He is there for us. With you: God will not allow you to succeed. As for us – God is our God and even in a land of rebellion, fighting, hatred, sin, we will not be deterred from our focus on God. We will stand in contrast of all – that is how we live – As for us.
Paul’s writings to the Philippians church is also an “As for Us.” It has to do with how we think and what we focus our lives upon. It is his final shot to them as though he is saying, “As for Us.” We are thinking in contrast to the rest of the world, we process differently because we belong to God and desire His peace to be with us. Think truth, nobility, right and pure, let it fill your mind and flood your thoughts. Focus on lovely and admirable, if it is worthy of praise, if it is worthy of the early rising to declare it to God – then think about it. “And whatever you learned from me,” Paul says, you put it into practice and live your life as an “As for Us.”
Application:
My observation today is very much an application – it is a firm reminder of the contrasted life we are called to live and present to God in the midst of a land of rebellion and confusion. We are to live with focus that is clear and honors God. It is easy to be pushed away from that which is right but, may we not forsake God, deny God our best and give Him our love and adoration.
Prayer:
Lord, you know how easy it is for my mind to focus on that which does not give you glory or my steps to wander in places where I should not go. So, I ask you to allow me to known as one, that God never forsook and one that lived in contrast to the world. May I be able to say, “As for Us.” As for me and my house, we will serve You, Lord. In Jesus’ Name, the one who lived in contrast and did not deny His God-given purpose. Amen
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