The importance of great counsel

In the book of 2 Chronicles, chapter 24, we read about king Joash, who reigned in Jerusalem for forty years.

The Lord's priest, in the early years of his reign, was Jehoiada.  He helped to guide Joash in rebuilding the Lord's Temple, which had gone neglected for many years and had suffered through much ransacking.  As an act of faith toward his people, Joash and his priest set an empty chest outside the Temple, and asked that all give what was imposed by Moses into the chest.  Day and night, the chest was filled by the people and the Levites assigned to watch over it emptied it.

The Temple was repaired.

Jehoiada died at the age of 130, having lived a much longer life than usual.  Afterward, rulers from Judah came and poisoned the mind of Joash and he worshiped false gods, despite pleading from Jehoiada's son Zechariah to not do so.  The Lord was not pleased, especially after Zechariah was stoned to death by command of the king.

Because of these acts, a small Aramean army invaded Joash and he was assassinated.  Had he not listened to the vileness of Judah and kept his faithful mind on the Lord, his life would have, more than likely, turned out much better.

Be aware of who gives you advice.  It's always wise to take matters of advice and pray upon it.

The Spirit is the glue that binds the Mind and Body

"I love you with all my heart, soul, and being."

These words my wife has spoke to me every single day since the day we were married--and probably for months previous.

The other day, I reflected on those words and their meaning.  We go through our daily trials and our physical and mental well-being are assaulted by sin.  But through it all, by the power of God and the Holy Spirit, our souls bind us together.

God's Spirit binds our minds and body together.  Without it, we would be nothing.  It has been said that our actions are judged by our thoughts, words, and deeds.  In other words, our mind and our body.  Our body encompass both our words and our deeds.

Through it all is God.  And without Him, we are nothing.

His Spirit is truly the glue that binds us together.

Jehoiada's wisdom

In the 23rd chapter, from the book of 2 Chronicles, we find ourselves seven years into the evil reign of Athaliah.

It was at this time the priest Jehoiada decided to act.  With great skill, he made a pact with five army commanders, where they traveled in secret throughout Judah to summon the Levites and clan leaders to Jerusalem.  There, they would gather at the Temple of God to both welcome and protect Joash, their new king.

If you remember from the previous chapter, Joash's brothers were all slaughtered by Athaliah and we went into hiding.  Now it was time to act!

Jehoiada addressed those whom were summoned and divided them up to serve in various capacities at the Temple.  Under no condition was anyone except them to be allowed to be near the new king.  When everything was in place, they placed a crown on Joash's head and pronounced him as their new king.

Athaliah was not pleased.  She shouted threats of treason, but she was quickly taken away and executed.

Jehoiada then made a covenant between himself, the king, and their people that they would be the Lord's people.  They then destroyed the temple of Baal as well as the false priests.

What can you control?

Most of the time, we worry about things beyond our control.  If you were to worry about something, pause and take a mental step back.  Ask yourself, "Can I control this?"

The weather.

Other people.

Other nations.

The economy.

And the list goes on and on.

But if you do find yourself worrying, ask God to relieve you of the stress and handle your worries.  For example, my wife has end stage liver failure.  The end is more than likely near.  How near, I don't know.  Only God does.  Instead of worrying about it, I cherish every single moment I am with her as I ask God to take all of my worry from me.

Years ago, my wife and i were in a severe financial situation (full disclosure, we have been in situations like this several times).  We then prayed to God to relieve us of the worry and show us what to do.  You know what happened?  God showed us what to do.

What are you worrying about today?  Even if it's within your control, ask God for help.

Poor advice leads to a short reign

In the 22nd chapter, from the book of 2 Chronicles, Ahaziah is King Jehoram's youngest son.  Since all of his older brothers were killed, he was named the next king.

He reigned for only a year.

Like King Ahab, Ahaziah was encouraged by his mother of doing wrong.  God was not pleased.  Even his advisers were giving him poor advice.

Ahaziah was soon killed and his mother vowed revenge by destroying the rest of Judah's royal family.  But one of his sons was hidden by his sister, along with his nurse.  The son was named Joash and he remained in hiding for six long years while Ahaziah's mother Athaliah ruled over the land.

Cherish your loved ones

I cherish the time I spend with my wife.  And with this being the start of not only a new year, but a new decade, I have reflected on the over 25 years my wife and I have been together, first as friends then as a happily married couple for more than 22 of those 25.

And with her ever-declining health, the time she has left with me on this earth may be drawing to a close.

I regret nothing as I reflect on these past 25 years.  I love spending time with her, despite her lack of comprehension on several occasions.  Then there are moments of clarity that astonish me.  Lately, she's been looking up.  Physically.  And her eyesight is so poor, she is legally blind.

"What are you looking at?" I've asked her.

"God's talking to me," she said.  "He wants me to fight."

So, fight she will.  And we will support her efforts.