Following Instructions
Good morning, as I write this devotional, one of our cats has pulled everything that was on our dining room table onto the floor. We have three cats and they all look guilty. One was trying to jump onto the table, which they all know they should not do. Instead, he almost made it onto the table, but the tablecloth slid. We make a mess when we don’t follow instructions.
I have been thinking about why I write these messages, and why you should read them. God has given us instructions on how to live a life which is pleasing to Him. Following those instructions will draw us closer to God and enable us to experience His fullness.
People don’t enjoy reading the instructions. Who among us has ever read the owner’s manual to their car? We will pick through it when something is wrong, but that is as far as we get.
Let’s see, headlights not coming on, chapter 4 headlights, page 12 troubleshooting.
We often use our Bibles the same way.
It would be much better if we knew all the rules, and how to win the game, before we started playing. I hope these forays into my experiences have kept you going. I pray you are growing in your knowledge and relationship with the Lord.
That is what it is all about.
Today we read 2 Chronicles 21-24.
The Problem With Wealth
We know Jehoshaphat was a righteous king, but death claimed him, and they buried him. He had all the riches he inherited from Solomon, and he left these to all his sons (v21:3).
However, they gave the kingdom to his son Jehoram, who was not righteous.
One of the first acts on his reign was to have all his brothers slain (v21:4). This leaves me with the question Jesus asked his disciples, “what good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?” (Mark 8:36, NIV)
Jehoram married Ahab’s daughter and followed the ways of the kings of Israel (21:6). He caused the people of Judah to worship idols and foreign gods (v21:11).
Whenever we are doing things we know are wrong, we like to get others to do them with us. If enough people are doing it, we hope they won’t punish us all. Maybe it will even catch on and become the popular thing to do?
Just because something is popular does not make it right.
What is Our Legacy?
Then the prophet Elijah tells Jehoram he is going to die because of a bowel disease. This miserable and disgusting event happens in verses 21:18-19.
Notice the people made no fire in his honor (21:19). No one regretted his passing (21:20).
I’m getting to the stage of my life where I think about the legacy I will leave. I don’t want to cause anyone grief when I go to be with the Lord. There is no greater goal for one who serves the Lord.
I would want no one feeling the world had lost anything great when I leave it.
Billy Graham was a legendary preacher, and I am certain many people came to know Jesus through his labors. I am sure his close friends and family miss him daily, the way I have missed my mother for three decades.
But, he was all about spreading the Gospel, and the infrastructure he built for his ministry continues to reach people for the Lord today. It was never about him, but always centered on Jesus.
That is the most any preacher could hope for. Through life or death, we will point others to Christ.
Poor Guidance
Speaking of mothers, I was lucky to have a wonderful mother. She struggled throughout life, but always put her children first.
She wanted the best for all of her children and encouraged me to be anything I wanted to be in life. I honor her legacy by having the courage she instilled in me.
Then we look at Athaliah, the mother of Ahaziah. She epitomizes the image of the overbearing mother. She is always manipulating her son to do evil deeds. A vessel for the enemy of God, used to lead the people of Judah astray.
In 2 Chron 22:10, she saw her favorite son had died. People respond to grief in various ways. Hers was vengeance.
Repairing the Temple
She tried to find the next in line for the throne and have him killed. So they hid Joash and hid him in a bedroom. They kept him hidden for six years.
In the seventh year, the priest set up security all around the young king, and introduced him as king. The people cheered and celebrated, but Athaliah screams, “Treason! Treason! (V23:13).
With her out of the way, the priest Jehoiada inspires everyone to return to the Lord (23:16). They tear down the idols and even kill the priests of Baal (v23:17).
But Athaliah’s sons had already done a lot of damage to the temple (v24:7).
So, the king and Jehoiada collect the money, a temple tax, from the people and hire skilled craftsmen to do the repairs (v24:11-12).
Influences on Others
Unfortunately, Joash, become king, and he does not follow the Lord. He turns people back to Baal and the Asherah.
God’s wrath burned against Judah again (v24:18).
Yesterday I wrote about protecting yourself from the influences of others.
Today, let’s flip that around and look at who we influence.
For good or bad, we influence our children, coworkers, neighbors, families and friends.
It extends beyond that. If we raise a child that shows Christ in all they do, that influences their friends, who influence their families. Like ripples in a pond.
We must own our actions, but realize we are not living in isolation.
People will say, who is it hurting if I do whatever sinful thing they like to do?
We all influence others. The hurt is happening, whether we accept the responsibility for it.
Therefore, we must live intentionally. Realize you will affect the world around you. Decide what you want that legacy to be.
