2 Chronicles 24: 1-16
Thursday, 25 January 2024
“Joash did what was right in the sight of the LORD all the days of Jehoiada the priest.” – 2Chronicles 24:2
In today’s reading we are introduced to a priest called Jehoiada who guided a young king –Joash only 7 years old – helping him make right decisions in life. As followers of Christ, God has sent us the Holy Spirit to guide us into all the truth. While departing from the earth, Jesus did not want to leave us as orphans so He promised to send us an Advocate who would help us forever – the Spirit of truth. Just as Jehoiada helped Joash in his earthly reign, the Holy Spirit helps us continually in our Christian walk until we reach our eternal home.
The two areas that impacted Joash’s life because of the advice and supervision of Jehoiada are the very same areas the Holy Spirit teaches and controls us too.
I. Builds our personal life – Vs.2 says Joash did everything that was right in the sight of the Lord. The first work of the Holy Spirit in all our lives is to convict us of sin, righteousness and judgement (John 16:8) after which He will guide us in all truth (John 16:13). As Jesus prayed – we will be sanctified by truth of God’s Word: “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.” (John 17:17)
The Spirit of the Lord will bring to life the incorruptible word which is sown in our hearts leading us to say ‘No’ to all worldly passions and ‘Yes’ to holy living, thereby honoring God with our whole spirit, soul and body. (Titus 2:12)
II. Builds the Spiritual House of God – Once our lives are aligned with God, He now turns our attention to His Kingdom. Just as Joash set his heart on repairing the temple, the Spirit of the Lord will remind us of the Great Commission given to us in Matthew 28:19&20—to go and build God’s Kingdom.
How is God’s House built?
a) Just as Joash used skilled workers (Vs. 12&13) to build the temple, God has given the church the five-fold ministry (Ephesians 4:11&13) of apostles, prophets, evangelist, pastors and teachers who will equip the saints and edify the church so that we would all be united in faith growing to become like Jesus.
b) Secondly, articles of gold and silver were placed in the temple (Vs.14). As God’s workman we are called to be such vessels in His House. Workers who will be diligent, workers who will divide the Word rightly, for which we need to present ourselves free from every lust and be sanctified and useful for the Master as vessels of honor. (Read 2 Tim.2:14-22).
c) The House of God needs to be a place of worship (Vs.14). In John 4:23, Jesus says the Father is looking for true worshipers who worship Him in spirit and in truth, who will offer sacrifices of praise to God giving thanks to His name (Hebrews 13:15).
Joash walked blameless before God all the days of Jehoiada but he fell away from God after his death, resulting in his disastrous end (Vs.25). This teaches us a valuable lesson that we need to be yielded to the Spirit all the days of our lives so as to finish our earthly race victoriously.
Think on: “A spiritual Christian therefore is one whose spirit is led by God's Spirit."- Watchman Nee
Listen: 'HOLY SPIRIT FAITHFUL GUIDE'
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