2 Chronicles 22
Scripture:
1 The people of Jerusalem made Ahaziah, Jehoram’s youngest son, king in his place, since the raiders, who came with the Arabs into the camp, had killed all the older sons. So Ahaziah son of Jehoram king of Judah began to reign.
2 Ahaziah was twenty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem one year. His mother’s name was Athaliah, a granddaughter of Omri.
3 He too walked in the ways of the house of Ahab, for his mother encouraged him in doing wrong.
4 He did evil in the eyes of the LORD, as the house of Ahab had done, for after his father’s death they became his advisers, to his undoing.
Observation:
The influence of parents is well illustrated in this verse. While this story has a tragic it encourages us to be responsible for our home. Unfortunately, Ahaziah was raised watching example of his father, whom did evil in the eyes of the Lord (21:6). Following the death of his father, his mother encouraged him in doing wrong (22:3). He continued to receive bad advice from house of Ahab which led to his undoing (22:4). In a situation like this, someone needs to break the cycle of disobedience to the Lord. Someone needs to return their heart to the Lord and set this family on a new path of experiencing God’s presence in their lives.
As a Spirit-Empowered Man and a father, the responsibility of protecting our home falls on us. I consider it an incredible honor as a parent to operate as the primary influencer in the lives of my kids. What I see in this passage is that our words matter, our example matters, and our influence matters. While our children are not bound by the example we set, we can definitely point them in the right direction as they embark on their discipleship journey. For those of you without kids at home, don’t underestimate your influence as a spiritual parent to the kids of your church, your example matters too.
If you are interested in a book that can help you understand the power of the home, go to www.thepowerofhomethebook.com
Application:
- Personal Application: Be aware of your influence to your kids and to the kids around you. Your example matters! I encourage you to Love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. I encourage you to be the example that you would want the next generation to follow.
- Family Devotional: Read this passage to your family. Make a promise to them that you will always do your best to be a good example to follow. Also, remind them that you pray for them and will always pray about the advice you give them. Encourage your family to always review any advice they receive through the Word of God. Take a moment to remind them how much you care for and love them. Pray for them.
Prayer:
- Personal Prayer Focus: Ask God for the wisdom to give advice that will always honor Him.
- Family Prayer Focus: Pray that your family will always filter any advice they receive through scripture and will always honor the Lord.
Three Year Reading Plan for Sunday, September 13 – Sunday, September 20:
- Sunday, September 13: 2 Chronicles 16
- Monday, September 14: 2 Chronicles 17
- Tuesday, September 15: 2 Chronicles 18
- Wednesday, September 16: 2 Chronicles 19
- Thursday, September 17: 2 Chronicles 20
- Friday, September 18: 2 Chronicles 21
- Saturday, September 19: 2 Chronicles 22
- Sunday, September 20: 2 Chronicles 23
—TOM GROOT is National Director of Men’s Ministry and Christian Education. Connect with Tom on Facebook or Twitter @TomGrootJr.
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