Good morning people who run well and are determined to finish well
Today’s BIY is a tragic story that in many ways is repeated too often today. This BIY is longer than normal, but I encourage you to take the time to read it all.
2 Chronicles 24:2, 17-22, 25 NIV Joash did what was right in the eyes of the LORD all the years of Jehoiada the priest…After the death of Jehoiada, the officials of Judah came and paid homage to the king, and he listened to them. They abandoned the temple of the LORD, the God of their ancestors, and worshiped Asherah poles and idols. Because of their guilt, God’s anger came on Judah and Jerusalem. Although the LORD sent prophets to the people to bring them back to Him, and though they testified against them, they would not listen. Then the Spirit of God came on Zechariah son of Jehoiada the priest. He stood before the people and said, “This is what God says: ‘Why do you disobey the LORD’s commands? You will not prosper. Because you have forsaken the LORD, He has forsaken you.’ ” But they plotted against him, and by order of the king they stoned him to death in the courtyard of the LORD’s temple. King Joash did not remember the kindness Zechariah’s father Jehoiada had shown him but killed his son, who said as he lay dying, “May the LORD see this and call you to account.”…When the Arameans withdrew, they left Joash severely wounded. His officials conspired against him for murdering the son of Jehoiada the priest, and they killed him in his bed. So he died and was buried in the City of David, but not in the tombs of the kings.
Joash was a young man who started so well. He honoured God and he listened to wise godly counsel. He had such a passion for God that he had God’s temple rebuilt.
Fast forward and we read that after the priests death, Joash started to listen to ungodly counsel. This turning away from God’s ways resulted in him ordering the murder of his mentor’s son; the priest’s son. Then his life ends as he is murdered for murdering the priest’s son. So tragic.
Yet he started so well.
I beg you today to not only purpose to start well, but to finish well. Never stop listening to wise godly counsel. Never stop walking closely with God.