Every day we have the choice: Life or Death?

We read in 2 Chronicles 20 that Jehoshaphat was mostly a good king. I say “mostly’ because he slipped up now and again (don’t we all), he associated with the wrong people a couple of times with dire consequences, and did not remove ALL the high places from the land. BUT, despite these transgressions, we see Gods faithfulness toward him remains.

Reading on in chapter 21, Jehoshaphat passes away and he leaves the kingdom to his eldest son Jehoram, who did NOT do good in the eyes of the LORD. I wondered how Jehoram could be such a wicked son when he had Jehoshaphat as his Dad?

 

We are not left with any clues how he became this way, but we do know that he marries Ahab’s daughter – Ahab was another wicked king (again we see how the company we keep can either lift us up or bring us down). Elijah’s letter to Jehoram lists and admonishes him for the abhorrent deeds has thus far committed, he states that Jehoram has not followed the example of good kings, but that of the bad ones. Jehoram had a choice and he chose unwisely!

Because he walked the wrong path, he is punished harshly by the LORD for committing detestable deeds along the way. The LORD ‘arouses’ the hostility of the Philistines and Arabs who attack Judah, carry off  his treasures, sons (except for one of them) and wives.

Note, that as long as the King of Judah remained true to God, the surrounding nations were kept in subjugation – BUT, when they revolted against the God, the nations around would attack.

Jehoram dies a painful death at the age of 40, he is not mourned by the people and is not buried in the tomb of kings.

Application:

1.  Every day, through our words, deeds, thoughts and actions, we have the opportunity and gift to choose life (up) or death (down) – which do you choose this day? 
2. When we come out of submission to God, our ‘passions’ flare up. We need to submit to God on a daily basis, sometimes on a minute by minute basis – only we can do this.
3. Thank God for his faithfulness, that His way is always the right way which brings us a life that is at peace with our LORD.
4. Once again, be careful who you associate with – sometimes we need to walk away from bad influencers, have you got the courage to do this today? Pray and ask for the LORD's help.

Be blessed.