Corona Devo 1032

Will anyone be sorry when we die?   Will someone miss us?  Will any type of positive void be left when we are no longer filling it?

I hope so. But more than that, may we live so. 

How we treat people, what we value, and most (eternally) importantly--who we place our trust and belief in--these choices will (and are) determining if people will feel/mourn/miss ...or be-relieved when we die. 

Live for the Lord today. 

Jehoram lived for himself and no one was sorry when he died (2 Chronicles 21:1-20).

What does it take for that to happen to someone?  May we never find out, but if we need some Biblical mile-markers of a life not-well lived, let's learn a lesson from Jehoram.

~~~

When Jehoshaphat died, he was buried with his ancestors in the City of David. Then his son Jehoram became the next king.  

(2) Jehoram’s brothers—the other sons of Jehoshaphat—were Azariah, Jehiel, Zechariah, Azariahu, Michael, and Shephatiah; all these were the sons of Jehoshaphat king of Judah.  (3) Their father had given each of them valuable gifts of silver, gold, and costly items, and also some of Judah’s fortified towns. However, he designated Jehoram as the next king because he was the oldest. (4) But when Jehoram had become solidly established as king, he killed all his brothers and some of the other leaders of Judah.  ~2 Chronicles 21:1-4

None of us better have actual blood on our hands, but how are we tending to our family tree?  Do we cut-off or cut-out people, relations, relationships that threaten us?  Have we killed community because of our insecurity or pride?  

Or are we building into the people that God has placed in our lives and family-lines?  It's hard...but it creates a legacy of family that is worth it.  

Jehoram didn't do that. Don't be like Jehoram.

~~~

(5) Jehoram was thirty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem eight years. (6) But Jehoram followed the example of the kings of Israel and was as wicked as King Ahab, for he had married one of Ahab’s daughters. So Jehoram did what was evil in the Lord’s sight.   ~2 Chronicles 21:5-6

Are we following the example of worldly "kings"?  Are social media/popularity/money/fame/success /fill-in-your-blank...our "kings"?  We must stop following the example of any king besides King Jesus.

Jehoram didn't do that. Don't be like Jehoram.

~~~

Jehoram experienced multiple revolts and battles, and territories of his even crowned their own king (2 Chronicles 21:8).  

Have you noticed?  When we are on mission-only-for-ourselves, we lose our troops.  Our "army" will inevitably disband if there is not Godly leadership and vision and love.  They will crown their own king, and they will not be sorry when we die.

A successful, fruitful and healthy family/team/army cannot progress (for long) if the "king" (or "queen") is only out for himself.

Jehoram didn't do that. Don't be like Jehoram.

~~~

And lastly (and most eternally-poignant)...the Lord is aware of all that we do and the allegiances we choose outside of Him. God is holy and God is just.  He cannot absolve our sin unless we will humble our hearts and ask Him to.  Without that step, there is consequence, because God is holy, and we are not.

Jehoram didn't do that. Don't be like Jehoram.

~~~

(12) Then Elijah the prophet wrote Jehoram this letter:

“This is what the Lord, the God of your ancestor David, says: You have not followed the good example of your father, Jehoshaphat, or your grandfather King Asa of Judah. (13) Instead, you have been as evil as the kings of Israel. You have led the people of Jerusalem and Judah to worship idols, just as King Ahab did in Israel. And you have even killed your own brothers, men who were better than you. 

(14) So now the Lord is about to strike you, your people, your children, your wives, and all that is yours with a heavy blow. (15) You yourself will suffer with a severe intestinal disease that will get worse each day until your bowels come out.”

(16) Then the Lord stirred up the Philistines and the Arabs, who lived near the Ethiopians, to attack Jehoram. (17) They marched against Judah, broke down its defenses, and carried away everything of value in the royal palace, including the king’s sons and his wives. Only his youngest son, Ahaziah, was spared. 

(18) After all this, the Lord struck Jehoram with an incurable intestinal disease. (19) The disease grew worse and worse, and at the end of two years it caused his bowels to come out, and he died in agony. His people did not build a great funeral fire to honor him as they had done for his ancestors.

(20) ... No one was sorry when he died.  ~2 Chronicles 21:12-20

~~~

Jehoram could have made a lot of different choices.  Choices that served God instead of himself.  Choices that benefitted/cared-for/served-others instead of himself.  But he didn't.

Are we in the "didn't" group today?  I don't want to be...it has a poopy ending.  

But we are not at our ending yet.  We have today, and we have a graceful, merciful, holy and just God. 

May we turn to Him today.  May we submit to His kingship over our lives, instead of our own today.  May we value the people and relationships that God has purposely placed in our life-path today.  

Jehoram lived for himself and no one was sorry when he died (2 Chronicles 21:1-20).

Live for the Lord today. 

If we do, we will not be sorry when we die, and most likely, others will be sorry when we do.

Jehoram didn't do that. Don't be like Jehoram.

Blessings,

sarah

https://sarahsundy04.blogspot.com