" . . . and all Judah gave presents to Jehoshaphat, and he had riches and honor in abundance. And his heart took delight in the ways of the LORD."
It takes a strong heart to be able to both possess many good things of this world, and yet to do so in the attitude and perspective of "taking delight in the ways of the Lord." Jehoshaphat was a full man: he had the best of everything, and yet he did not idolatorize his blessings. Instead, he kept his head, and loved his God first and foremost.
Let all faithful churchmen seek to have this same spirit. The key to this is in our identification with Jesus. Let us seek to be crucified with Him everyday, so that we may rise with Him everyday. When we do this, we get to take pleasure in *everything* He provides us, with free and grateful hearts.
[Puritan quote of the day: "Therefore, now go to Jesus, the Supreme Head of the church and Bishop of souls. . . . He ever lives to provide for His church, and to guide and feed HIs flock." --Jonathan Edwards, in his sermon, "The Sorrows of the Bereaved Spread before Jesus"]
