2 Chronicles 21:8-10 (NASBStr)
In his days Edom revolted against the rule of Judah and set up a king over themselves. Then Jehoram crossed over with his commanders and all his chariots with him. And he arose by night and struck down the Edomites who were surrounding him and the commanders of the chariots. So Edom revolted against Judah to this day. Then Libnah revolted at the same time against his rule, because he had forsaken the Lord God of his fathers.
When we sin we can expect revolt from those around us. God promises us peace and rest when we walk in His ways. That peace and rest may not always look like what the world sees. It might be peace in the midst of suffering rather than absent of suffering. However, in the above passage we see that when Jehoram walked away from God, God used his enemies as a tool to correct him. Remember that the story of Judges was this exact cycle. The nation of Israel, in the midst of prosperity and blessing from God, would observe their enemies rise up against them. Those enemies would afflict them and put them in bondage. The nation would repent and cry out to God and God would send a "judge" to deliver them (think, Samson). Once delivered they would again walk in faith to God and be blessed by Him. Then, again, they would trust in their own strength, fall into sin and the cycle would repeart. So, we see hear in our text the same series of events. Jehoram, unlike his father, rejected God's Word and walked and lead like other kings. As a result, he found that those who were once loyal to him are not fighting with him. The next time you find yourself in an argument or fight with someone, it doesn't mean that you are living in sin. But, it can be that God is allowing that conflict to correct a problem or issue in your life. When a man's ways please The Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him (Proverbs 16:7).
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