READING: 2 Kings 12-13, 2 Chronicles 24
“. . . because Jehoiada the priest instructed him.”
2 Kings 12:2
I sometimes wonder where I would be were it not for some folks who took the time to encourage me and lead me. I did not have specific mentors when I was a young Christian, but I had many people who did whatever they could to direct me. So many I could name – Glenn, my first pastor; Lawrence, who first challenged me to teach the Bible; Katherine, who encouraged me to use multiple resources as I studied the Bible deeply; Don, who helped me figure out my calling; Kenny, whose challenge to me to walk faithfully the rest of my life I have never forgotten; Tracy, a neighbor whose faithfulness to Christ became a model for me. All these folks have been largely unknown to the world, but they’ve made a difference in my life.
How much more of a difference the high priest Jehoiada had in the life of Joash! Joash became the king at age 7, and he reigned for forty years. More importantly, he “did what was right in the eyes of the Lord all his days, because Jehoiada the priest instructed him” (2 Kgs. 12:2). While Jehoiada played an influential role in the king’s life, Joash followed the Lord; but apart from Jehoiada, the king listened to other people and led the nation back to idolatry. Indeed, he even had the son of Jehoiada killed when he prophesied against the people!
No matter how old we get, and no matter how much power and position we claim, we need godly advisors we trust and hear. It doesn’t take much to make dumb, costly decisions when we listen to the wrong people.
ACTION STEPS:
- Make sure you have godly advisors in your life. If not, ask God to provide them.
- Be a godly example for someone else. Consider who is watching your life today.
PRAYER: “God, grant me godly advisors—and help me to be one to others.”
TOMORROW’S READING: 2 Kings 14-15, 2 Chronicles 25-27