When he told me you need to change your plan, the words struck like lightning. I didn’t want to change my plan – I like being in control.

I thought it was a good idea and was already deeply invested. He smiled with concern, said I don’t think it will turn out well, and walked away.

Thankfully I had second thoughts and listened to him, but it was bitter-sweet.

You might not like when a voice of reason confronts your well-laid plans, but you’d be wise to listen (2 Chr. 25:7-9). That’s what friends do though, right?

“But I already spent the money!”

Maybe you’re invested in a bad decision and getting out of it is not only inconvenient for your and those around you but also costly and it could even be dangerous.

Would you agree that God’s not nearly as concerned about the cost of doing right as He is about the character it forms in you when you do. Character can come at a high cost.

And so does the faith and trust to act upon the belief that God can control outcomes.

For Amaziah, it didn’t just cost a lot of money, it also cost a pound of his pride. But he followed the good advice and no doubt the decision was bitter-sweet. It almost always is. 

Maybe he had second thoughts and envisioned what it looked like a year from now if the plan didn’t go as expected (or did).

Who’s impacted and how.

Family.

Relationships.

Reputation.

What if you can’t control it. 

Then a voice of reason and faith speaks, and you believe God can make up the losses when you do right. “The LORD is able to give thee much more than this” (v. 9).

Read 2 Chr. 25 and you’ll find there’s way more to this story than time permits. But isn’t that how it usually plays out?

Amaziah took the good counsel, reconsidered and took the heat with the losses. Occasionally you do it God’s way — but other “good ideas” are lurking nearby!

Perhaps you’re like me and find it easier to say you trust Jesus than to fully yield every decision to Him. If feels good to feel like you’re in control.

But the surest way to gain confidence and strengthen your faith and walk with Jesus is to loosen your grip on control by yielding to God’s way, all the way, every time.

“And Amaziah strengthened himself and… went…” He did it God’s way and won. Sweet!

Who can put a price on that? 

Maybe today I’m that friend that steps in and says “change your plan and do it God’s way” even if it’s costly and inconvenient.

But some people just don’t (won’t) learn.

Amaziah gets around the corner then makes an unbelievable, almost inconceivable decision (2 Chr. 25:14-16, 17-28). Some of us just like to be in control

Have those second thoughts now so the lesson doesn’t become bitter (but not sweet).

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