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Needless Worry
9 Then Amaziah said to the man of God, “But what shall we do about the hundred talents which I have given to the troops of Israel?”
And the man of God answered, “The Lord is able to give you much more than this.” 2 Chronicles 25:9 NKJV
Most of you are likely thinking that this is a very unusual passage to choose for our thought to consider today. Yet, needless worry is everywhere in our lives today. We overlook the real problems and focus on those of no merit.
The background of our passage is fairly simple. Amaziah has become king. The troops have been gathered and counted.
Money was given to 100 thousand mighty men of valor from Israel for their service in the expected battle.
Then A Man of God Comes
A man of God comes to Amaziah and tells him that because they are not right with God, the battle will be lost.
Is Amaziah mentioning their poor or non-existent relationship with God? No.
Amaziah worries aloud to the man of God. “…What shall we do about the hundred talents which I have given to the troops of Israel?”
Instead of thinking of how to restore a relationship with God, he is concerned about lost money.
Instead of rejoicing that there will be no battle, he is worrying about lost money.
God reminds him, that the Lord is able to give him much more than this.
Over 50 years ago, we went to the beach. I had all the money I had in the world in a little straw purse that I left on the beach towel when I went into the water.
Purse and money were stolen by the time I came back, never to be found. Obviously, it was my own fault.
It was also my fault that, for the next 50 years, my only memory of that day at the beach was of having my money stolen. I ignored the beauty of that day, of the sun, the water, the gathering of seashells. None of it is recorded in my memory bank, because all I chose to remember was my loss.
Amaziah was much like me in that way, thinking of the lost money that day. Amaziah was reminded that all that he and his fellow countrymen needed was to confess and turn to God. He needed to rejoice that this particular battle was avoided. Instead of either of those things, Amaziah was mentally counting up lost money.
Like Amaziah, he and I got up each morning and breathed in the air that God gave us freely.
Neither Amaziah nor I ever received a bill from God for the sunlight, rain, or the breath in our lungs. God gave Amaziah much more than the money he lost for his battle never fought.
Likewise, God has given me a lifetime of joy that I should thank Him for daily. The money in a little straw purse on a long-ago beach was truly nothing.
Walk away from the losses and rejoice in all that we have with God when we are right with Him.
He is so incredibly good to us.
There is no way to count all the blessings God gives us.
But we can thank Him for them.
Let us all start to do that right now!