How does the Lord strengthen His church?
“Those from every tribe of Israel who set their hearts on seeking the LORD, the God of Israel, followed the Levites to Jerusalem to offer sacrifices to the LORD, the God of their fathers. They strengthened the kingdom of Judah and supported Rehoboam son of Solomon three years, walking in the ways of David and Solomon during this time.” (2 Chronicles 11:16-17)
Is the Lord's church building up firmly? If “yes”, isn't it firmly established in our own eyes? Is the Lord's church building up firmly in God's eyes right now?
The Lord wants to strengthen His church, His body. That is why the Lord is strengthening His church today. How is the Lord strengthening His church? The Lord uses three kinds of people to strengthen His church:
The first kinds of people are those who seek God with all their heart.
Look at 2 Chronicles 11:16 – “Those from every tribe of Israel who set their hearts on seeking the LORD, the God of Israel, followed the Levites to Jerusalem to offer sacrifices to the LORD, the God of their fathers.” Those who sought God solely in their hearts at the time of the king of Judah Rehoboam were living in northern Israel. However, Jeroboham, the king of northern Israel, worshipped idols and drove out the priests of the Lord and made priests of his own as the peoples of other lands did (13:9). So those who sought God solely in their hearts returned to southern Judah with the priests and Levites (11:13). It was because they could no longer remain in the sinful northern Israel ruled by King Jeroboham.
The Lord is firmly building up His body, the Church, through those who seek Him solely in their hearts. Those who seek the Lord solely in their hearts do not serve God and money together (Mt. 6:24). They are not double-minded people (1 Chron. 12:33; Jam. 1:8). They live in service of the Lord with only one mind and one will.
The second kinds of people are worshipers.
Look at 2 Chronicles 11:16 – “Those from every tribe of Israel who set their hearts on seeking the LORD, the God of Israel, followed the Levites to Jerusalem to offer sacrifices to the LORD, the God of their fathers.” Those who sought God solely with their hearts returned from the northern nation of Israel to the southern Judah with the Levites because they could not offer the right sacrifice to God. When they saw Jeroboham sinning against God by setting up his own priests and worshiping idols, they returned to Jerusalem. Considering this fact, we can see that God raises up true worshipers and strengthened His church.
God seeks those who worship Him in Spirit and in truth (Jn. 4:23). And God raises those worshipers to strengthen His church. Although Rehoboam strengthened the fortresses and put officers in them (2 Chron. 11:11) and put shields and spears in every city and strengthened them greatly (v. 12). Likewise, the Lord raises up worshipers who seek God solely to strengthen His Church.
The third kinds of people are those who observe the requirements of the Lord.
Look at 2 Chronicles 13:11 – “Every morning and evening they present burnt offerings and fragrant incense to the LORD. They set out the bread on the ceremonially clean table and light the lamps on the gold lampstand every evening. We are observing the requirements of the LORD our God. But you have forsaken him.” Those who sought God solely with their hearts were worshipers and lived the proper life of worship. Here, they lived the proper life of worship means they kept God's commandments. They walked in the way of David and Solomon (11:17). Here, walking in the way of David and Solomon means keeping the commandments of God. The life of worship is this way of keeping God's commandments.
The Lord, who strengthens the church, seeks the right worshipers. And He strengthens the church through the right worshipers. The right worshipers are those who live right life. And right life refers to obeying the commandments of God. The Lord is strengthening His body, the Church, through those who keep His commandments.