TO CHEW ON: "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 fathers, and worshiped Asherah poles and idols." 2 Chronicles 24:17,18
Though Joel warned King Joash that bad things would happen if he didn’t return to God, he refused to change his ways. When Jehoiada’s son Zechariah warned him too, he killed Zechariah. After that things quickly fell apart.
Soon a small enemy army from Aram easily defeated Joash’s large army. In the end, Joash’s own servants murdered him in revenge for murdering Zechariah. Though Joash started out well, he ended badly.
The change in Joash came after Priest Jehoiada died. This man who saved his life had been just like a father to him. He encouraged Joash and helped him to follow God. But it seems Joash didn’t know God himself. For as soon as Jehoiada was gone, Joash turned away from God.
We can learn an important lesson from Joash. For though it’s wonderful to have people in our lives who point us to God, in the end we need to know God ourselves. If you’re following God because of the example of your parents, or a teacher, or a friend, that’s great! But God wants to be your friend too. Be sure you get to know Him yourself.
PRAYER: Dear God, please help me to know You as a friend. Amen.
MORE: Being Friends with God
How do we get to be friends with God (or Jesus, who was God in a human body)? Below is a list of some things you can do. Can you think of more?
1. A good start is to be friends with God’s friends (other people who love Him like your parents, grandparents, teachers and friends).
2. Read the Bible. The books that tell the stories of Jesus – Matthew, Mark, Luke and John in the New Testament – are interesting. They will help you know what God is like.
3. Pray. Simply talk to Jesus. Tell Him all about your life, your problems, the things you worry about, the things that make you happy. He is interested in everything about you.
4. Ask Him questions. He’ll answer. You may be surprised at the way those answers come – through something you read in the Bible, through something someone says, through a voice in your mind....
5. Sing songs to Him.
6.
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Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Adult readers - DAILY DEVOTIONS FOR ADULTS are available too at Other Food: daily devo's.
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