R³ Devotional - Day 186

2 Chronicles 24 tells us about King Joash who became king of Judah at just seven years old and reigned for forty years in Jerusalem. While Jehoiada the priest was alive, Joash did what was right in the eyes of the Lord. Under Jehoiada's influence, Joash initiated a restoration of the temple of the Lord, which had fallen into disrepair. He organized a collection from the people to fund the repairs, and the work was carried out successfully. However, after Jehoiada died, Joash's character changed. He listened to corrupt officials and abandoned the worship of God, turning instead to idolatry and pagan practices. God sent prophets to warn him and the people, but they were ignored. One of these prophets was Zechariah, Jehoiada’s own son, who boldly warned the people. In a shocking act of betrayal, Joash ordered Zechariah to be stoned to death, despite the faithful service of his father Jehoiada. As judgment for Joash’s unfaithfulness, God allowed the Aramean army to invade Judah. Though they were few in number, the Arameans defeated Judah’s much larger army because Judah had forsaken the Lord. Joash was severely wounded in the attack, and later, his own officials conspired against him and assassinated him in retaliation for killing Zechariah. Joash was buried in Jerusalem, but not in the royal tombs, a sign of disgrace and disapproval over how he ended his reign. This chapter highlights how a good beginning does not guarantee a good ending, the danger of turning away from God after once following Him faithfully and how a godly mentor can guide us but cannot sustain us.

Real Life Principals:
The Influence of Good and Bad Counsel – This passage illustrates the importance of seeking out good counsel through Godly fellowship and not being swayed by negative influence 
The Consequences of Disobedience – Joash turning away from God resulted in Divine judgment. This chapter illustrates that disobedience leads to negative consequences both personally and nationally.

Relevant Life Application:
One of the ways we are called to experience God is through fellowship with other Christian’s. Sharing experiences and learning from each other can foster a sense of community and deepen our understanding of God. When we seek out fellowship with our brothers and sisters in Christ we have help persevering in our faith. When Joash allowed corrupt men to have more influence on him it caused him to turn away from God and ultimately led to his downfall. We must be sure that those closest to us are not pulling us away from God.

Real Life Action:
We should actively seek out wise, godly individuals who can guide and encourage us in our walk with God. These people can help strengthen our own faith but cannot give us their own faith. We should be intentional about who we are surrounding ourselves with and not allow ourselves to become complacent in our faith.