Spend time in prayer and silence with God asking Him to meet with you and speak to you.
Bible Reading
When Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that hers son was dead, she proceeded to destroy the whole royal family of the house of Judah. But Jehosheba, the daughter of King Jehoram, took Joash son of Ahaziah and stole him away from among the royal princes who were about to be murdered and put him and his nurse in a bedroom. Because Jehosheba, the daughter of King Jehoram and wife of the priest Jehoiada, was Ahaziah’s sister, she hid the child from Athaliah so she could not kill him. He remained hidden with them at the temple of God for six years while Athaliah ruled the land.
– 2 Chronicles 22:10-12
Devotion
The issue of spiritual heritage is at the center of the story of the husband-wife team Jehoida and Jehosheba, and their nephew Joash. At a time when devotion to Yahweh was waning in Judah, Jehoida and Jehosheba arose to display courageous faith. The primary beneficiary of their faith was a child Joash who, with their help, became king over Judah. While King Joash was faithful to the Lord all the days that his godly uncle and aunt were there to encourage and inspire him, he turned away from God after they died. As a result, his kingdom was destroyed and his life ended in disgrace.
The Big Question
Courageous faith shines in difficult times. Jehoida and Jehosheba chose not to walk in the evil ways of Jehoram and Athaliah. Instead they chose to follow in the footsteps of her godly grandfather, Jehoshaphat. They took great risk is hiding Joash from Athaliah. This godly couple chose to follow a godly tradition. When you look at your family tree, do you see godly people who have gone before you, living wholeheartedly for the Lord? Who are you choosing to emulate? Perhaps you are the first one in your family tree that is choosing to follow the Lord. Do you sense the importance of establishing a God-honoring tradition so that those who come after you will look back and see your footsteps of faith?
Spend some time in prayer meditating on what God revealed to you today.