2 Chronicles 25 Devotional

A Costly Act of Trust

“Amaziah asked the man of God, “What should I do about the hundred talents I have given to the troops of Israel?” And the man of God replied, “The LORD is able to give you much more than this.””2 Chronicles 25:9 (BSB)

Amaziah does what is right, but not with a whole heart (25:2). Preparing for war with Edom, he hires a hundred thousand soldiers from Israel for a hundred talents of silver (25:6). A man of God tells him to send them home, because the LORD is not with Israel. Amaziah's first question is about the money he has already paid. The prophet's answer is simple. The LORD can give him far more than that (25:7-9).

Amaziah obeys, and God gives him victory over Edom (25:10-11). But he comes home and sets up the gods of Edom as his own, bowing to idols that could not even rescue their own people from him (25:14-15). When a prophet challenges him, he silences him, and the pride that follows leads to a humiliating defeat (25:16-24). He trusted God with silver, but not with his heart. God is able to do far more than anything we ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20). Whatever obedience costs you, he is able to make up the loss.

To think about: What step of obedience have you been putting off because of what it might cost you?