Forever Home in the Eternal Family of God

A Daily Devotional by Kenton Cheek

4 July 2024

Reading From II Kings 12-13, II Chronicles 24

“Joash began to rule over Judah in the seventh year of King Jehu’s reign in Israel. He reigned in Jerusalem forty years. His mother was Zibiah from Beersheba. All his life Joash did what was pleasing in the Lord’s sight because Jehoiada the priest instructed him. Yet even so, he did not destroy the pagan shrines, and the people still offered sacrifices and burned incense there.”

–II Kings 12:1-3

     King Joash had the benefit of a good mentor in Jehoiada the priest.  I am so grateful for the wise mentors that I have in my life.  Consulting trusted advisors expands the options I have available in making decisions for myself and my family.  When I receive instruction from those with more life experience, my understanding is broadened.  Even if the knowledge and wisdom is not immediately applicable, it can be stored in my mind and heart and then used in the future. 

     It is interesting to me that the observation was made that all his life Joash did what was pleasing in the Lord’s sight even though he did not destroy the pagan shrines.  It isn’t possible for a fallen human being to do everything right.  No one is perfect except the One who was fully God and fully man, Jesus Christ. 

It is important to have enough humility to keep the frailties of mankind in mind when we examine the lives of others.  William Graham Tullian Tchividjian has said, “Here’s one way I know that I’ve forgotten the Gospel of Grace: when your sin bothers me more than my own.” I hope that others will have grace and mercy when they take stock of the sum of my life.  We all need love, grace and mercy.

“God, I pray that You will continue to bring wise counselors into my path.  May I have the humility to listen to them and in their words, may I hear Your voice speaking through them.  Give me the strength and the courage I need to put Your Word into practice in my daily life.  In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.”

Where there is no counsel, the people fall;
But in the multitude of counselors there is safety. –Proverbs 11:14, NKJV

For lack of guidance a nation falls,
    but victory is won through many advisers. –Proverbs 11:14, NIV