Daily Devotions
Misplaced Loyalty
Title: Misplaced Loyalty
Reading for May 13: 2 Chronicles 21-24
Now after the death of Jehoida the princes of Judah came and paid homage to the king. Then the king listened to them. And they abandoned the house of the LORD, the God of their fathers, and served the Asherim and the idols.
2 Chronicles 24:17-18
Tell me what's wrong with this statement about Joash in 2 Chronicles 24:2...
"And Joash did what was right in the eyes of the LORD all the days of Jehoiada the priest."
Did you catch that? It didn't say he did what was right all the days of his life. It said, "all the days of Jehoiada the priest."
Our text confirms this summary of his reign. Before the death of Jehoiada, Joash actively sought to restore the true worship of God in the temple. Yet after Jehoiada's death, Joash abandoned the LORD.
Jehoiada was like a father to Joash. He, along with his wife Jehosheba, saved young Joash from the wicked queen Athaliah. No doubt, Joash's godliness early in his reign was at least in part due to the fact that he was thankful for Jehoiada.
But what happened when this all-important figure was taken from his life? He did a 180 and turned from serving God.
This is a warning to us. If our motive to serve God is to please our parents, a significant mentor, a spouse, etc., then what will happen to our obedience when that influence is taken away?
What about you? Are you trying to please God or some important person in your life?
Search me, O God, and know my heart!
Try me and know my thoughts!
And see if there be any grievous way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting!
