Inward Success
Scripture: 2 Kings 10:28-31
"28 In this way, Jehu destroyed every trace of Baal worship from Israel. 29 He did not, however, destroy the gold calves at Bethel and Dan, with which Jeroboam son of Nebat had caused Israel to sin.30 Nonetheless the Lord said to Jehu, "You have done well in following my instructions to destroy the family of Ahab. Therefore, your descendants will be kings of Israel down to the fourth generation." 31 But Jehu did not obey the Law of the Lord, the God of Israel, with all his heart. He refused to turn from the sins that Jeroboam had led Israel to commit."
Observations:
Another one of those crazy stories in the OT of conspiracy, treason, murder, violence, and justice, all in the name of God! This guy Jehu was appointed by God to become the next king of Israel and was prophesied by the prophet Elisha to be God's instrument of judgment on wicked king Ahab and his descendants. On one occasion he ordered that 70 of the kings sons all be decapitated as punishment for Ahab's sin. Next he invited all of the followers of the Baal cult into the temple for a private worship "sacrifice" to honor Baal. Little did the worshipers know that they would become the sacrifice as Jehu ordered the soldiers to slaughter every one of them. One one level, Jehu was pretty successful in his attempt to rid the land of false religion. In fact, God actually commended him for his devout service and courage and promised to bless his descendants with royal positions to the fourth generation! But then comes the closing remarks of Jehu's life- "But, Jehu did not obey the Law of the Lord...with all his heart. He refused to turn from the sins..." At the end of the day, Jehu had done a lot of good for his country and had helped his family, but his own relationship with God was not right.
Application:
We live in a world that measures success a lot of ways, the majority of which are outward, visible, and easily recognized by others. On the outside we can have the appearance of success but end up lacking in the areas where God says it counts the most. The prophet Samuel once summed it up this way, "The Lord doesn't see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." (1 Samuel 16:7). When we stop and think about it, who's opinion are we most concerned about- God's of man's? Whether we realize it or not, the answer to that question is shaping our lives. If we spend our lives pursuing the accolades of the world around us, we may in fact succeed outwardly, but usually at the expense of our values, character, and relationship with God. However, if we make pleasing and obeying God the ultimate goal of our lives, we may not accumulate much earthly applause but we will have the security of knowing that we have the favor and blessing of God who one day will reward us openly.
Prayer:
Father, above all else we desire our lives to honor You. Help us to seek the praise that comes first and foremost from You as we seek to obey Your Word and do the things that are pleasing in Your sight. Make us successful in light of eternity. Amen.
Daily Bible Reading Plan
"28 In this way, Jehu destroyed every trace of Baal worship from Israel. 29 He did not, however, destroy the gold calves at Bethel and Dan, with which Jeroboam son of Nebat had caused Israel to sin.30 Nonetheless the Lord said to Jehu, "You have done well in following my instructions to destroy the family of Ahab. Therefore, your descendants will be kings of Israel down to the fourth generation." 31 But Jehu did not obey the Law of the Lord, the God of Israel, with all his heart. He refused to turn from the sins that Jeroboam had led Israel to commit."
Observations:
Another one of those crazy stories in the OT of conspiracy, treason, murder, violence, and justice, all in the name of God! This guy Jehu was appointed by God to become the next king of Israel and was prophesied by the prophet Elisha to be God's instrument of judgment on wicked king Ahab and his descendants. On one occasion he ordered that 70 of the kings sons all be decapitated as punishment for Ahab's sin. Next he invited all of the followers of the Baal cult into the temple for a private worship "sacrifice" to honor Baal. Little did the worshipers know that they would become the sacrifice as Jehu ordered the soldiers to slaughter every one of them. One one level, Jehu was pretty successful in his attempt to rid the land of false religion. In fact, God actually commended him for his devout service and courage and promised to bless his descendants with royal positions to the fourth generation! But then comes the closing remarks of Jehu's life- "But, Jehu did not obey the Law of the Lord...with all his heart. He refused to turn from the sins..." At the end of the day, Jehu had done a lot of good for his country and had helped his family, but his own relationship with God was not right.
Application:
We live in a world that measures success a lot of ways, the majority of which are outward, visible, and easily recognized by others. On the outside we can have the appearance of success but end up lacking in the areas where God says it counts the most. The prophet Samuel once summed it up this way, "The Lord doesn't see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." (1 Samuel 16:7). When we stop and think about it, who's opinion are we most concerned about- God's of man's? Whether we realize it or not, the answer to that question is shaping our lives. If we spend our lives pursuing the accolades of the world around us, we may in fact succeed outwardly, but usually at the expense of our values, character, and relationship with God. However, if we make pleasing and obeying God the ultimate goal of our lives, we may not accumulate much earthly applause but we will have the security of knowing that we have the favor and blessing of God who one day will reward us openly.
Prayer:
Father, above all else we desire our lives to honor You. Help us to seek the praise that comes first and foremost from You as we seek to obey Your Word and do the things that are pleasing in Your sight. Make us successful in light of eternity. Amen.
Daily Bible Reading Plan
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