June 27
2 Kings 10:32-12:21 | PS 145:1-21 | Prov 18:1 | Acts 18:1-22
A decision must be made by each of us personally. I was raised by beautiful and loving parents, but in a household which did not focus on the things of God. We rarely went to church, and discussions about God were not part of our day to day conversations. But God grabbed hold of me in my late twenties and I made a personal decision to repent of my sins and accept Jesus as my Lord and Savior. So when I started growing in faith I didn't know the songs that everyone knew, what prayer meant, or any of the phrases or verses commonly used. But, despite this I was very much His child once I made that decision. I know many who are raised in the church, and this is what parents should do. Children are often dependent upon their parents and follow their lead. But at some point in time children become adults and must make a decision themselves. There comes a time when their faith is not their parent's faith, but their own. Faith is so much more than knowing the songs, knowing how to get along in a church community, etc. Faith is when you, personally, are willing to place your full weight and trust upon God. It is when your relationship with God is direct and not indirect through a parent or a church denomination. God has children, not grandchildren. Jesus died for you, not for you through your parents or some organization. No matter what your upbringing might have been, today repent, or change your mind and accept God's standards on everything. Once emptied, accept Jesus Christ as your personal Savior as He so lovingly shed His blood for you, as if you were the only sinner He came to save. It is all about relationship.
Queen Athaliah was evil, and through her, Satan attempted to destroy the lineage to the Messiah through David, by cutting off all of his descendants. But God preserved Jehoash. We read in 2 Kings 12:2, "Jehoash did what was right in the sight of the Lord all the days in which Jehoiada the priest instructed him." Jehoiada did all the right things in raising him. He kept the things of God at the forefront throughout his upbringing. During this time the temple of Baal was demolished and the temple to the one true God was refurbished. Yet, sadly we read in this account in 2 Chronicles 24:17-19, "Now after the death of Jehoiada the leaders of Judah came and bowed down to the king. And the king listened to them. Therefore they left the house of the Lord God of their fathers, and served wooden images and idols; and wrath came upon Judah and Jerusalem because of their trespass. Yet He sent prophets to them, to bring them back to the Lord; and they testified against them, but they would not listen." Despite decades of good upbringing, Jehoash turned his back to the things of God in favor of his worldly counselors.
This is why the word of God, the Bible, is so pivotal. Human counsel is only as good as the counselor giving it. We cannot sway with each wave of new counsel or teaching. We must anchor ourselves into His Word if we don't want to drift. Jesus said in John 8:31-32, "Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”" There is true freedom in His Word, and in a true relationship with the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords. Your upbringing may help you, but ultimately each of us must decide if we want to enter into this relationship. There is no right age. It comes down to a personal decision. Please don't procrastinate, decide today.
Messages from Pastor Lloyd Pulley: