Watch out that you do not lose what you have worked for, but that you may be rewarded fully. 2 John 8
We have to play until the final whistle/until God calls time. If we once stop going forward with the Lord we are in danger!
I have been looking at the lives of Judah’s kings recently and two of them stand out. They both started well but unlike king David they didn’t finish the course set for them.
Joash had been a good king of Judah, restoring the Lord’s Temple, the heart of the nation. His mentor and father figure the priest, Jehoida lived until he was 130 years old.
As long as Jehoiada lived, burnt offerings were presented continually in the temple of the Lord . 2 Chron 24:14
After the death of Jehoiada, the officials of Judah came and paid homage to the king and HE LISTENED TO THEM. They abandoned the temple of the Lord, the God of the fathers, and worshipped Asherah poles and idols. 2 Chron 24:17
The king’s heart was turned away from God because he listened to people who DIDN’T FEAR THE LORD. One of the strongest influences in and upon our lives comes from other people, people like us! GODLY OR GODLESS INFLUENCE , which will WE choose?
The second king was Asa, King of Judah and he’d fought a battle against a much larger army. ‘The Lord struck down the Cushites before Asa and Judah’.
They sought God eagerly and he was found by them. So the Lord gave them rest on every side. … there was no more war until the 35th year of Asa’s reign. 2 Chron 15:15, 19
Asa had enjoyed peace but ‘in the 36th year of his reign, Basha king of Israel(same people as Judah) laid siege to Judah’. After all those years, Asa decided NOT TO SEEK THE LORD but bribed the King of Aram to attack Israel, which successfully broke the siege, but the Lord wasn’t pleased.
For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the Earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him(this verse is a great promise from the Lord). You have done a foolish thing and from now on you will be at war. 2 Chron 16:9
Asa imprisoned Hanani the seer, sent to him with the message and completely turned away from God. Somehow the enemy had twisted Asa’s thinking and his heart towards God.
In the 39th year of his reign Asa was was afflicted with a disease in his feet. Though his disease was severe, even in is illness he did not seek help from the Lord. 2 Chron 16:13
Our commitment, or covenant, to the Lord must be for our entire lives. Lord may we serve You wholeheartedly and for all of our lives.
Jesus said three times, ‘but the one who STANDS FIRM TO THE END WILL BE SAVED’. Matt 10:22, 24:13 Mark 13:13
God bless and keep you today.