WHAT WOULD BE WRITTEN ABOUT YOU?

Can I pray for you in any way? Send any prayer requests to faithhopegodlove@aol.com In Christ, Mark

The scriptures. May God bless the reading of His holy word.

Jehoshaphat son of Asa became king of Judah in the fourth year of Ahab king of Israel.

Jehoshaphat was thirty-five years old when he became king and he reigned in Jerusalem twenty-five years. His mother's name was Azubah daughter of Shilhi. In everything he walked in the ways of his father Asa and did not stray from them; he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord. The high places, however, were not removed, and the people continued to offer sacrifices and burn incense there. Jehoshaphat was also at peace with the king of Israel.

As for the other events of Jehoshaphat's reign, the things he achieved and his military exploits, are they not written in the book of the annals of the kings of Judah? He rid the land of the rest of the male shrine prostitutes who remained there even after the reign of his father Asa. There was then no king in Edom; a deputy ruled.

Now Jehoshaphat built a fleet of trading ships to go to Ophir for gold, but they never set sail —they were wrecked at Ezion Geber. At that time Ahaziah son of Ahab said to Jehoshaphat, "Let my men sail with your men," but Jehoshaphat refused.

Then Jehoshaphat rested with his fathers and was buried with them in the city of David his father. And Jehoram his son succeeded him.

Ahaziah son of Ahab became king of Israel in Samaria in the seventeenth year of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, and he reigned over Israel two years. He did evil in the eyes of the Lord, because he walked in the ways of his father and mother and in the ways of Jeroboam son of Nebat, who caused Israel to sin. He served and worshiped Baal and provoked the Lord, the God of Israel, to anger, just as his father had done.

1 Kings 22:41-53

This ends this reading from God's holy word. Thanks be to God.

If someone were to write an account of your life after you died, what would be written about you? Would you be proud or ashamed of what would be said?

As we see in today’s scripture, there were often accounts given regarding how people lived, particularly those who were in positions of leadership such as kings.

At the end of 1st Kings, Chapter 22…the last words of the book…we see two accounts given…one on the king of Judah, Jehoshaphat, and the other on the king of Israel, Ahaziah. And as we will see, the accounts are strikingly different based on the way these two kings lived and led.

First, we read about Jehoshaphat.

We’re told that he was the son of Asa…a king who the scriptures praised as doing what was “right in the eyes of the Lord” and for having a “heart fully committed to the Lord all his life” (1 Kings 15:11,14). Certainly words that anyone would want written about them.

So how would Jehoshaphat fare in his life? Would he follow in the ways of his father?

As we see, he did just that. For the scriptures tell us that Jehoshaphat “”walked in the ways of his father” and “did what was right in the eyes of the Lord”. Further to his credit, we read where he “rid the land of the rest of the male shrine prostitutes who remained there even after the reign of his father” and remained “at peace with the king of Israel”.

Indeed, Jehoshaphat had lived a life that was pleasing to the Lord.

Contrast that now with the king of Israel, Ahaziah, who followed his father Ahab to assume the throne 17 years into Jehoshaphat’s reign.

Ahaziah’s father, Ahab, had made quite a name for himself…and not in any good way. Scripture tells us that he “did more evil in the eyes of the Lord than any of those before him” and “did more to provoke the Lord…to anger than did all the kings of Israel before him. (1 Kings 16:30,33)

So how would his son turn out when he had his turn at leading? Would he repeat the mistakes of his father? Or would he take a stand and turn Israel back toward the Lord?

The answers come in what was written about him.

Back to our passage…

For there we find that Ahaziah “reigned over Israel two years” and during that time, “he did evil in the eyes of the Lord because he walked in the ways of his father and mother and in the ways of Jeroboam”…all who had “caused Israel to sin”. Ahaziah “served and worshiped” the false god Baal and “provoked the Lord…to anger, just as his father had done”.

And that’s how the Chapter ends. Nothing else is said about Ahaziah.

But what else needs to be said?

Ahaziah had every opportunity to do what Jehoshaphat had done. He could have opted to do good and live a life that was pleasing to the Lord. And if he had, you can bet there would have been a lot written about him and what he accomplished in service to God. But he didn’t choose that path. Instead, he traveled the evil road like those who had lived before him and carried on their reputation.

Indeed, not much was written regarding Ahaziah. The Lord will not boast in evil ways…in those who blatantly violate His word, will and way. In fact, not only will little be written about them but they can also bank on their name not written in another place…the Book of Life (Revelation 20). And that omission will result in their name being cast into “lake of fire”, obliterated forever.

So again…what will be written about you when your life on earth is over? Will you be praised for being faithful to the Lord’s will word and way, finding your way to continued life eternal through Christ Jesus as your name is found in the Book of Life? Or will you find that you are remembered only for your evil, sinful ways when your life ends…and when I say end, I mean really over with no chance at eternity as your name is left out of the Book of Life?

We all have a choice to be as good or bad as we want to be. How will you choose?

Your decision will make all the difference in what will be written about you one day…and whether your name is found among those the Lord calls to Him forever. Please make the right one. Amen.

In Christ,

Mark

PS: Please share this with anyone you feel might be blessed by it.

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