June 18th~The Baton of Godliness

2 Kings 11:1-3


2 Chronicles 22:10-12

2 Kings 11:4-12


2 Chronicles 23:1-11

2 Kings 11:13-16


2 Chronicles 23:12-15

2 Kings 11:17-21


2 Chronicles 23:16-21

2 Kings 12:1-16


2 Chronicles 24:1-22

 2 Kings 10:32-36

We watched the first and only Queen, Athaliah, seize the throne of Judah after her son Ahaziah died. Although she ordered the death of the entire royal family (which was an unfortunate but common practice for those securing their rule), a little boy named Joash was hidden from her in the Temple. The boy grew up in the Temple under the watch of a godly priest named Jehoiada.

When the time was right, Jehoiada overthrew the evil Queen Athaliah, ordered her death, and established the seven-year-old Joash on the throne of Judah. The people rejoiced. Under Jehoiada’s leadership, the people of Judah renewed their covenant with the Lord and vowed to be His people. As a result, they cleared out the temple of Baal, demolished the altars, and killed Mattan the idolatrous priest. Joash even ordered that the Temple of the Lord be repaired. Much good was done under Jehoiada’s influence.

However, as Jehoiada neared the end of his life (a ripe old 130), his influence waned and King Joash and the people of Judah abandoned God and His Temple and, instead, reestablished the worship of Baal and Asherah. The anger of the Lord burned against them, so much that he sent the prophet Zechariah to admonish them; but, King Joash did not listen, and he even went so far as to order Zechariah’s death.

Not only is Satan timeless, he is relentless.

I do not mean to say that Satan is eternal, as God is, but he is certainly not bound by the restraints of time on earth, as men are. What that means is that while men come and go, Satan remains throughout history, in the background, patiently waiting for the right moment to strike. Though one priest or king may establish righteousness for a spell, Satan knows that, in time, their influence will wane and the next generation will not be as dedicated to godliness.

While King Joash had done some good things, he was under the direction of a great priest; and, when that priest was gone, Joash’s true colors began to show. Though he started well, he finished poorly. Though the baton of godliness had been handed to him, he dropped it.

Daily Reflection

It is difficult for men to keep the momentum of obedience and righteousness from one generation to the next, especially when a timeless enemy is working against them. Consider America, for example, once a godly nation with tremendous momentum now turning its back on God. How difficult it is for one generation to pass the baton of godliness to the next.

How would you describe the momentum of godliness in your family? Has it been consistently handed down from generation to generation or has the baton been dropped?

What about you, are you carrying the baton of godliness in your family today? What must you do to pass it on to the next generation?

Our enemy is timeless and relentless. What does that mean for us who are temporal and weak? The battle is never over. We can never let down our guard. We must rely upon God for help. Still, keep up the good fight!

BiAY.org | Day 169 — 196 Days to Go