I’m reading through 2 Chronicles right now and each chapter is like a snap shot of the lives of the kings who reigned in the Old Testament over the tribe of Judah. Every chapter or so covers a different king in succession. What’s interesting is that since the Bible covers each king just briefly in this book, the focus is on things of basic importance: their age when they began their reign, how long they reigned, where they were buried, and most importantly whether they did or did not do “what was right in the eyes of the Lord.”
PINIMAGESo, in essence, in each account, I can see whether the king was for God or against Him. Surprisingly, some of the kings who started out doing what was right before God, experiencing His hand of protection, provision and blessing, turned away from God later in life.
Since this was not uncommon, I found myself hurrying through some of the chapters to see if that particular king remained faithful to God or not.
For instance: Chapter 26 tells us about King Uzziah. The chapter begins in verse 4 saying, And he did what was right in the eyes of The Lord, according to all his father, Amaziah had done. He set himself to seek God in the days of Zechariah, who instructed him in the fear of God, and as long as he sought the Lord, God made him prosper.
Sounds like a great start, right?
Then in verse 16 we read, But when he was strong, he grew proud, to his destruction. For he was unfaithful to the Lord his God.
Chapter 25 talks about King Amaziah who did what was right in the eyes of the Lord yet not with a whole heart. (v 2) As you can imagine, his reign did not go well. In verse 19 we read that King Amaziah’s heart was lifted up in boastfulness. In the end, he was murdered by his enemies.
Each story had a King with a choice to make. Their choices didn’t affect only them, but their whole kingdom. The weight of it all really struck me.
And so I went on reading…
The wicked kings felt God’s wrath.
The good kings felt God’s blessing.
Some started out strong and fell to pride or other gods.
I’m surprised at how interested I’ve become in these lives. Perhaps it’s because I know the choice we all have to make. It’s a daily choice to “do what is right in the eyes of the Lord.”
It’s my desire to finish strong. It’s my desire to please God and worship Him all of my days. It’s my desire that He be my protector and provider. God forbid I ever forget His faithfulness.
Because it can happen. It happened to great kings of old. It can happen to us.
That is why I am encouraged by the stories of two kings in particular that I just read about this week. I noticed something distinct in their stories.
Not much is written about King Jotham. The chapter has only 9 verses about his life, but in verse 2 of chapter 27 we read, And he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord. I’ve read this in other accounts. There were kings that started out this way and ended in destruction. BUT…
Toward the end of the chapter, in verse 6, we read, So Jotham became mighty because he ordered his ways before the Lord his God. This was the first time I took note that the passage said “his God.”
That’s all that is written about King Jotham and, to be honest, I think that is all that needs to be said. His is a short account of what is most important. Oh, that my story would be the same.
Much more is written about another King, King Hezekiah, and still his story begins like the others. In verse 2a it says, And he did what was right in the eyes of The Lord. His story ends several chapters later and toward the end we read, Thus Hezekiah did throughout all Judah, and he did what was good and right and faithful before the Lord his God. And every work that he undertook in the service of the house of God and in accordance with the law and the commandments, seeking his God, he did with all his heart, and prospered. 2 Chronicles 31:20-21
I know today has been somewhat of a history lesson of kings but here’s what struck me. The choices these kings made in their hearts, impacted whole kingdoms. The choices I make impact my little kingdom, my tiny realm…my subjects – ages 14, 12 & 9. My choices also affect generations to follow. There’s a lot at stake.
We live in a season where it’s easy to erect other gods before the one true God.
Did your story start out strong and right?
Have you begun to turn away?
Have you forgotten Him?
How will your story end?
2 Chronicles 16:9 says, For the eyes of the Lord search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him.
The reality is that each story is not over until it’s over. In the end, will it be said of me by those who knew me, “She did what was good and right and faithful before the Lord her God. And every work that she undertook…seeking her God, she did with all her heart, and prospered.”?
Today and every day, let us make it our prayer that God would be “my God.” Let’s set our minds to be fully committed to Him and to seek Him with all our hearts. Until the end of our days.
