2 Chronicles 21:4-6 - When Jehoram established himself
firmly over his father's kingdom, he put all his brothers to the
sword along with some of the princes of Israel. Jehoram was thirty-two years old when he
became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem eight years. He walked in the ways of the kings of Israel, as the house of Ahab had done, for he married a daughter of Ahab. He did evil in the eyes of the LORD.
Jehoshaphat had made arrangements for all of his sons to be richly
blessed….leaving them all with numerous gifts and a city to call their own….but
his oldest son was given the traditional blessing…and handed the throne of
Judah. His decision to marry the daughter of the king of Israel introduced the
idols of many pagan gods into his home…and eventually hardened his heart to
worshiping God in any form or manner.
Jehoram’s heart grew so cold that he murdered all his
brothers…and many of the princes of Israel that might somehow be a threat to
his reign. He established himself with no hint of ever involving God in his
life…and even forced his subjects to worship the idols and Gods his wife had
introduced to his palace. He rebuilt the altars in the high places…and used
them to sacrifice to the heathen Gods of the queen.
His love of other Gods cost him his life…and the life of his
entire family…save his youngest son. God sent a terrible plague…of the bowels…and
he suffered in great pain for at least two years. His kingdom was attacked and defeated by the
armies of neighboring kingdoms…leaving nothing for his youngest son to rule as
he grew.
Perhaps it was pride…perhaps fear…or maybe it was just plain
stubbornness… but Jehoram never repented of the sin that displeased God. I sure
can’t imagine what is was like …to lay in that pain day after day…knowing that
God’s mercy was a prayer away. He died
an unloved man…in the curse of his own sin….without family or friends.
I have sat a long time this morning…just wondering what God
would have me to ponder from this story. One simple thought came to mind… that
God’s mercy was given to Jehoram’s son Ahaziah.
He was saved for the simple reason that God wanted to preserve the blood
lines of David. He loved David so much that he wanted to keep his promise…even
though he was no longer bound by the terms of his covenant.
Perhaps that is a reminder to me to offer the same mercy….and
be more forgiving…even when the terms of the promises made to me are broken.
God has been working on the selfishness that was planted there years ago by
satan…and even though I know in my heart I am less selfish than I was yesterday…there
remains a remnant of that seed. Maybe I pondered longer than the usual 5-10
minutes…because he tried to wake me at 5…and I let my flesh tell me it was okay
to go back to sleep. Maybe I missed the
blessing of a direct word this morning...because I still harbor a seed of
selfishness in my heart.
Father…I thank you for this story…that seemed so
inconsequential to my life…and that you used it to remind me that I still need
to work on removing the seeds of selfishness from my heart. Only you know how much of that seed remains…and
only you know what it will take to remove it completely from my life. Do what
it takes Lord…to purge that selfishness out of me…and replace it with your love
and mercy. Show me how to walk the same humble steps that your son walked when
he stepped out of that wilderness when he was baptized. Reveal to me your plan…and send me all the
resources I will need to follow it. Amen.
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