Jehoram reigned in Jerusalem, and such a sad report on his reign: “He followed the ways of the kings of Israel, as the house of Ahab had done, for he married a daughter of Ahab. He did evil in the eyes of the Lord. Nevertheless, because of the covenant the Lord had made with David, the Lord was not willing to destroy the house of David. He had promised to maintain a lamp for him and his descendants forever” (21:6-7). Lesson: God is faithful to his promises. No matter what men might do, God will be faithful.
“In the time of Jehoram, Edom rebelled against Judah and set up its own king. . . . To this day Edom has been in rebellion against Judah” (21:8-10). Lesson: Edom saw the right time to rebel against Jerusalem, surely, because of decisions made by Jehoram. Our decisions, both good and bad, always bear fruit either for good or bad.
“Jehoram was thirty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem eight years. He passed away, to no one’s regret” (21:20). Lesson: How sad to die and have no one regret your death!
Well, today’s report from the Chronicle is quite depressing, that is, until we recognize that, not matter what men do, no matter how evil men oppose God, he will always accomplish his good and perfect will. Nothing man could do would derail God’s purpose to send Messiah: “He had promised to maintain a lamp for [Davidd] and his descendants forever” (21:7), and he has done so!
Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father
There is no shadow of turning with Thee
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not
As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be.
Great is Thy faithfulness
Great is Thy faithfulness
Morning by morning new mercies I see
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me. -- Thomas O. Chisholm (1923)