April 30, 2026 - 2 Chronicles 21-23

After Jehoshaphat, Jehoram reigned in Jerusalem.  Not a good king, he had all his brothers killed, probably to keep them from seeking his throne.  Just a mess.  The writer tells us:  “He walked in the way of the kings of Israel, as the house of Ahab had done, for the daughter of Ahab was his wife.  And he did what was evil in the sight of the LORD” (21:6).  But the writer also tells us:  “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).  God had made a promise to David, and that promise he would keep!  No evil deeds or machinations of man could derail the fulfillment of God’s promises.  He is faithful.  He does what he says he will do.  I was just thinking about the thief on the cross who pleaded with Jesus for forgiveness.  There on the cross, suffering justly for his evil deeds and in so much pain, still, with what joy and confidence he heard the words of Jesus:  “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43).   With David, with the thief, and with saints from every generation, with what joy we can live our lives knowing that our God is faithful.  He is true to his word.

Precious anchor of the soul,

Faith need never shipwrecked be,

Tho’ grim rocks or shoals may threat­en

On the open, untried sea;

Knowing better days will come,

Faith can wea­ther any gale,

If its anchor sure and stead­fast

Has been cast within the veil.

Precious anchor of the soul,

Fastened safe within the veil;

Precious gift from God above,

Precious token of His love,

Tho’ the storms of life may buf­fet me,

Our hope will never fail.   -- Laurene Highfield (1916)