“Jehoshaphat made ships of Tharshish to go to Ophir for gold: but they went not; for the ships were broken at Ezion-geber.”-1 Kings 22:48
Solomon’s ships had returned in safety, but Jehoshaphat’s vessels never reached the land of gold. Providence prospers one, and frustrates the desires of another, in the same business and at the same spot, yet the Great Ruler is as good and wise at one time as another. May we have grace to-day, in the remembrance of this text, to bless the Lord for ships broken at Ezion-geber, as well as for vessels freighted with temporal blessings; let us not envy the more successful, nor murmur at our losses as though we were singularly and specially tried. Like Jehoshaphat, we may be precious in the Lord’s sight, although our schemes end in disappointment.
The secret cause of Jehoshaphat’s loss is well worthy of notice, for it is the root of very much of the suffering of the Lord’s people; it was his alliance with a sinful family, his fellowship with sinners. In 2 Chron. 20:37, we are told that the Lord sent a prophet to declare, “Because thou hast joined thyself with Ahaziah, the Lord hath broken thy works.” This was a fatherly chastisement, which appears to have been blest to him; for in the verse which succeeds our morning’s text we find him refusing to allow his servants to sail in the same vessels with those of the wicked king. Would to God that Jehoshaphat’s experience might be a warning to the rest of the Lord’s people, to avoid being unequally yoked together with unbelievers! A life of misery is usually the lot of those who are united in marriage, or in any other way of their own choosing, with the men of the world. O for such love to Jesus that, like Him, we may be holy, harmless, undefiled, and separate from sinners; for if it be not so with us, we may expect to hear it often said, “The Lord hath broken thy works.” ~ C.H. Spurgeon
http://bible.christiansunite.com/Morning_and_Evening/chme0113.shtml
He Hath Said 
Hi, Sherry! Pray your day goes well, and your ministry to your Mother and others. Just want to encourage you, that the Lord will do all things well for you and all His children, whether the ships are broken up or not – all things are done well and lovingly towards us. Thank you for posting this – it helped me,
Maria
LikeLike
Thank you for the encouragement, Maria! But my mother wants nothing to do with me now. Maybe my light shone too brightly? (O-o) Well, she always has been mean-spirited towards others but I know our God is able to save her no matter her disposition. My prayers, and those whom she has alienated through her slanders, continue for her with even more fervancy. I am thankful that our patient God has placed another servant to minister to her-he’s been there all along has done all the ministering since she likes him. God is so good! Yes! I needed to hear you say that He does all things well!
May your day be as blessed as you just made mine and then some more!
LikeLike
Yes, He is able, Sherry! The worst sinner make the most loving saints. I’m grateful and glad that another Christian is there ministering to her,
Maria
LikeLike
Reblogged this on My Delight and My Counsellors.
LikeLike
Thanks for the reblog!~
LikeLike
Sadly, I met with a friend today who is experiencing the chastisement of the Lord because of her compromise with those who are apostate. Please pray for her. Please pray for the Lord’s healing in her life. Thank you for sharing this precious reminder of God’s sovereignty and His love given to us no matter our circumstances. God bless you:)
LikeLike
I will pray for her, Eliza. May the Lord favor her with both physical and spiritual healing. May she rejoice for the chastisement of our Father who only wants the best for His child, fitting her for His Kingdom.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Eliza, praying that she endures this and looks beyond it. Only God’s children are chastened, for it is His love. May the Lord help you to help her!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Maria,
I called my friend and confirmed what I knew that the church she attends is taking care of her needs. She has a husband, and a son and daughter-in-law close by. She did want me to visit, so I am planning to stop by sometime next week. You could pray for me that I would speak the truth in love and her heart would be ready to listen by God’s great mercy. Thank you for the godly exhortation. God bless you:)
LikeLiked by 2 people
Eliza, let’s ask the Lord to give you wisdom and to get her ready!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Amen! God bless you:)
LikeLiked by 1 person
And you!:)
John 21:15-17
15 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. 16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. 17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on holdingforthhisword and commented:
God is sovereign in all of our circumstances and His work for our well-being should guard our hearts and minds no matter our circumstances and should encourage us to review our behavior and hearts distractions when things are difficult and hard, not that hardship always indicates chastisement.
LikeLike
Thanks for the reblog!~
Yes, Eliza~ I promise that if our brothers and sisters in Christ will heed your council they will be richly blessed! This I know from my recent “hard” experience and doing just as you said. As a minister of old once said, “Ours is but a temporary hell in this life…” Yet, even the fiery trial can be made less intense, or of no harm at all, if we seek what the Lord would have us to learn from it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Praise God for His mercy and grace to us. God bless you:)
LikeLiked by 1 person