2 Chronicles 24:17-19

Spend time in prayer and silence with God asking Him to meet with you and speak to you.

Bible Reading

But after the death of Jehoiada, the officials of Judah came and bowed down to the king, and the king listened to them. They abandoned the house of the Lord, the God of their fathers, and served Asherim and the idols; so wrath came upon Judah and Jerusalem for this their guilt. Yet He sent prophets to them to bring them back to the Lord; though they testified against them, they would not listen.

– 2 Chronicles 24:17-19

Devotion

God has no grandchildren; only children. Now we see this principle played out in the life of Joash. It appears that he was coasting on the faith of his uncle and aunt, not cultivating a faith of his own. Joash was clearly swayed by the voices of other people. These officials had been waiting for Jehoiada to die so that they could influence the king to take things in a different direction.

The Big Question

Opinions are ideas that we hold loosely. Beliefs are ideas that we hold firmly. Convictions are ideas that take hold of us. We may debate our opinions. We should defend our beliefs; but we will die for our convictions. If you made a list of opinions, beliefs and convictions, what would you place under each heading? How does one develop firm convictions? Opinions become beliefs as we study truth. Beliefs become convictions as we personally experience the truth at work in our lives.

Spend some time in prayer meditating on what God has revealed to you today.