R³ Devotional - Day 185

I found it interesting when I began to read these passages in preparation as I discovered that they relate to fulfillment of the promises of God to punish Ahab, his family, and his wife for his and Jezabel’s sinful actions. Those were the exact passages I was tasked to review for the last R3 Devotional I prepared.

In 2 Kings 9 and 10, we find details of what happened to two sons of Ahab (Joram and Ahaziah) and to Jezebel his queen as God used Jehu, an appointed King of Israel to take them out (Joram and Ahaziah) as He promised. Chapter 10 depicts the continued pursuit of Ahab’s remaining descendants. Jehu is then obedient in taking out the prophets of Baal as well. We also see Jehu proclaiming his “zeal” for the Lord to Jehonadab, a key supporter of Jehu in taking out the prophets of Baal. The chapter closes noting that Jehu does not fully turn aside from the sins of Jeroboam (son of Nebat), but the Lord notes that Jehu’s good service to him would lead to him having four more generations on the throne.

As we move into chapter 11, we see Athaliah manipulating to take control. However, there is one child (Joash) with lineage to the throne that is hidden for six years and then anointed king by Jehoida seven years after Athaliah had seized control. The rule of Joash brings the people back in line with God as they destroy all the things associated with Baal in the kingdom.

Real Life Principles: Are you truly walking in God’s plans, or is it just when and where you feel you need to? Ahab and Jezebel gave in to the ways of the world and God gave them their justifiable judgement. That judgment awaits us all one day, friends. Thankfully, the blood of Christ offers us a means to God’s grace. This happens when we accept that grace, allowing the Holy Spirit to bring about noticeable change in our hearts (and our lives). His Holy Spirit works within us to draw us nearer to Him and into service to Him daily! The lessons of the Old Testament are clear on God’s expectations and His judgments, as well as the relative ease at which we all fall away from Him, just as we see in these three chapters today.

Relevant Life Applications: Figure out just where you are in your walk with God…do not wait any longer. If it has not started yet, start it! If it has started, continue to grow it! Do not just accept His grace and call it good. I spent 30 years of my own life in that state. God will use each of you in His plans to have influence, but you must be willing to commit to that in your daily walk with Him. Continued obedience to God’s will in our lives is a great struggle, especially in today’s secular world.

Being Ready with Life Action Steps: Check your life currently. I like the phrase I have heard over the years, “Check yourself before you wreck yourself!” Are you putting Him first in everything, or just some things? Is He continuing to speak to you with opportunities to serve, and you just keep finding reasons not to? Are you just hitting the Church building on a regular basis and thinking that is really all He wants from you? These are all tough questions we all must ask ourselves to help us re-align with Him daily! We have the free will to live our lives to fulfill His plans. The hard question we must ask (and be prepared to answer with action) is, “are we putting Him first daily, in each and everything we do?” In other words, when people see you at home, work, in the community, in activities of all kinds, are they seeking God’s love and light in each of them?
Today is Independence Day for our great nation, and we are granted wonderful freedoms to worship and live for Him here. Are you using those freedoms to satisfy you or Him? It is one or the other…there really is no middle ground or “fence” so to speak. Remember, Satan owns that middle ground…he owns that fence!