April 28, 2025 - 2 Chronicles 21-24

Jehoram:  “And he did what was evil in the sight of the Lord.  Yet the Lord was not willing to destroy the house of David, because of the covenant that he had made with David, and since he had promised to give a lamp to him and to his sons forever” (21:6-7). . . . and he departed with no one’s regret” (21:20).  What a terrible legacy:  no one regretted his death.  Bad things follow with an evil alliance of Ahaziahand and Jehoram of Israel, Jehu’s murderous rampage, other murders, usurpations, family intrigues.  Eventually, though, “Jehoiada made a covenant between himself and all the people and the king, that they would be the Lord’s people.  And all the people went to the house of Baal and tore it down, and they broke in pieces his altars and his images” (23:16-17).  And, then, there was Joash:  “Joash was seven years old when he became king . . . Joash did what was right in the sight of the Lord all the days of Jehoiada the priest . . . and “Joash decided to restore the house of the Lord” (24:1-5).  Lesson?  In the most evil of times, the man of God can and must stand up.

Yielded to God, my body, soul, and spirit,

O what rejoicing fills my peaceful breast!

All, all is well, no doubt nor fear disturbs me,

While on His promise now alone I rest.

Yielded to God, reposing ‘neath His shadow,

Sunshine and gladness round my pathway fall;

Yielded to God, whose love dispels all sorrow,

He is my Refuge, and my All in All.   –Fanny Crosby (1895)