The story of King Joash unnerves me.
He had a good thing going. Ran a great race, stayed the course, led the pack. And then, as he neared the finish, he botched it big time.
As an infant, Joash was about lose his neck to a vile queen who killed everyone who got in her way. Instead, an empathetic soul rescued him and hid him in the temple with the God-fearing priest, Jehoiada. Taught in the ways of God, Joash grew up in security behind the walls of the temple. Thanks to good ‘ole Jehoiada, Joash was crowned king at the age of seven and Queen Athaliah was put to death. During his 40-year reign, King Joash restored the temple and led the people in the ways of God, mentored every step of the way by the faithful priest.
“Joash did what was right in the eyes of the LORD all the year of Jehoiada the priest…” ~ 2 Chronicles 24:2
But something beyond comprehension changed when the old priest died.
“King Joash did not remember the kindness Zechariah’s father Jehoiada had shown him but killed his son, who said as he lay dying, ‘May the LORD see this and call you to account.'” ~ 2 Chronicles 24:22
What happened?!?!?!?! How could someone run a great race and then lose it at the end?
All I keep thinking is …
The same could be said of me if my faith runs only as deep as the people I hang out with.
- Day 190 (Monday): 2 Chronicles 26, Isaiah 1-4
- Day 191: Isaiah 5-8
- Day 192: Amos 1-5
- Day 193: Amos 6-9
- Day 194: Isaiah 9-12, 2 Chronicles 27
- Day 195: Micah 1-7
- Day 196: 2 Kings 16-17, 2 Chronicles 28
David blew it with Bathseba; Noah blew it getting drunk,; Moses blew it smiting the rock when he was told to speak to it; Peter blew it when he denied the Lord 3 times; Paul blew it when he thought Mark was all washed up; … That’s people for you.
At least, it gives me some comfort when I blow it, God is not going to throw me overboard.