Friday, May 15, 2009
One bad choice
One bad choice is all it took.
Second Chronicles
Second Chronicles … well, and others … really seem to highlight how one bad decision can ruin a life of devotion – or at least compromise the powerful effects and fruit of a life of devotion. No wonder Satan tries to get us to stumble, constantly. Just one decision can mean so much.
King Jehoshaphat: an incredible king, sending leaders, priests, even himself around the country teaching the Word. Yet he allied himself to Ahab by marriage and his evil daughter-in-law murdered all of his grandchildren so that she could rule.
Hezikiah: after incredible victories by faith against Sennacherib took ill and prayed for longer life. In those 15 years Menasseh was born – the most evil king ever to rule in Judah.
Uzziah: sought the Lord for years. It says he was “marvelously helped.” But when he became strong he decided to burn incense on his own, even though the priests warned him not to. He was struck with leprosy for the rest of his life and had to live out his days in isolation.
David: a man after God’s own heart. Such an example of faith and devotion. Yet he made a choice to go after Bathsheba. 2 Sam 12:14, “because by this deed you have given occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme, the child … shall surely die.”
Lord, I am certainly no better than any of these men. By your mercy please keep me from a choice that will compromise your blessing and your fruit in my life.
Second Chronicles
Second Chronicles … well, and others … really seem to highlight how one bad decision can ruin a life of devotion – or at least compromise the powerful effects and fruit of a life of devotion. No wonder Satan tries to get us to stumble, constantly. Just one decision can mean so much.
King Jehoshaphat: an incredible king, sending leaders, priests, even himself around the country teaching the Word. Yet he allied himself to Ahab by marriage and his evil daughter-in-law murdered all of his grandchildren so that she could rule.
Hezikiah: after incredible victories by faith against Sennacherib took ill and prayed for longer life. In those 15 years Menasseh was born – the most evil king ever to rule in Judah.
Uzziah: sought the Lord for years. It says he was “marvelously helped.” But when he became strong he decided to burn incense on his own, even though the priests warned him not to. He was struck with leprosy for the rest of his life and had to live out his days in isolation.
David: a man after God’s own heart. Such an example of faith and devotion. Yet he made a choice to go after Bathsheba. 2 Sam 12:14, “because by this deed you have given occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme, the child … shall surely die.”
Lord, I am certainly no better than any of these men. By your mercy please keep me from a choice that will compromise your blessing and your fruit in my life.
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