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Dear Heavenly Father, Praise What a kind and longsuffering God you are! You had mercy on Israel in spite of the wickedness of Jeroboam II, and you even spoke to him through Jonah, that great prophet to the Assyrian capital of Nineveh! You saw the affliction of your people, and your heart was moved with compassion (2 Kgs 14:24–27). Great indeed are you Lord and worthy to be praised! Hallelujah! Today in Your Word Today you told me about the death of Elisha and the reign of Joash’s son Amaziah. Imagine my surprise when I read that Elisha, the man of faith who had raised a boy from the dead, “had fallen sick with the illness of which he was to die” (2 Kgs 13:14). This teaches me that healing is not always your will, even in the case of a truly righteous man, and that a name-it-and-claim-it attitude when it comes to healing can actually be contrary to your plan. When Jehu’s grandson Jehoash, the king of Israel, heard the news, he came to see Elisha, and Elisha put him to the test to see what was in his heart. Sadly, Jehoash showed himself to be a man of little faith. He humored Elisha, but he wasn’t interested in staking his military and political future on your word. How tragic that people back away in unbelief from your offer of victory! In the meantime, Joash’s son Amaziah was following in his father’s footsteps: “He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, yet not like David his father. He did in all things as Joash his father had done” (2 Kgs 14:3). Amaziah was definitely a mixed bag. He avenged his father’s death according to the law, and he obeyed you when you told him to get rid of the Israelite mercenaries he had hired. Yet he also brutally conquered the Edomites, foolishly worshipped their gods, proudly rejected your reproof of his idolatry, and rashly challenged Jehoash to a war. How could he obey you one minute and disobey you the next? Such are the actions of a man whose heart is not perfect toward you. Amaziah hardened his heart against your rebuke, and he threatened the prophet who warned him of his folly. Mark the man who will not listen, for as the prophet said, “I know that God has determined to destroy you, because you have done this and have not listened to my counsel” (2 Chr 25:16b). What terrible words! Sure enough, Amaziah was killed by his own officials at the age of 54. He had followed his father’s example in life, and it led him to the same bloody death (2 Chr 25:27–28). Reflection Amaziah asked, “But what shall we do about the 100 talents that I have given to the army of Israel?” Am I worried about what I might lose if I obey you? Do I forget that you are able to give me “much more than this”? (2 Chr 25:9). Request Father, give me a heart that is perfect toward you! Help me to seek first your kingdom and your righteousness. Give me a zeal for you and a desire to please you in all things! Thanksgiving Thank you for your precious Holy Spirit. I’m so grateful for the way he warns me of sin and reproves me when I go astray. May my ears always be open to His voice! In Jesus’ name, Amen. Suggested Hymn: “Truehearted, Wholehearted” — Frances R. Havergal. Meditation Verse: 2 Chronicles 26:5. |