SEPT. 13, 2013
A
Father To Follow
Read: 2
Chronicles 17:1-10
[Jehoshaphat] sought the God of his father, and walked in His
commandments. —2
Chronicles 17:4
When
I think of my father, I think of this saying: “He didn’t tell me how to live;
he lived, and he let me watch him do it.” During my youth, I watched my dad
walk with God. He participated in Sunday morning church services, taught an
adult Bible-study class, helped with counting the offering, and served as a
deacon. Outside of church, he faithfully defended the gospel and read his
Bible. I saw him express his love for the Lord through outward actions.
Asa,
king of Judah, modeled devotion to God for a season in his life (2 Chron.
14:2). He removed the idols from his kingdom, restored the altar of the Lord,
and led the people into a covenant with God (15:8-12). Asa’s son Jehoshaphat
carried on this legacy by seeking “the God of his father and walk[ing] in His
commandments” (17:4). Jehoshaphat purged the land of idol worship (v.6) and
sent out priests and Levites to teach God’s law in all of the cities of Judah
(vv.7-9).
Jehoshaphat’s
reign resembled that of his father; he faithfully honored Asa’s godly example.
Yet even more important, Jehoshaphat’s “heart took delight in the ways of the
Lord” (v.6). Today, if you’re looking for a father to follow, remember your
heavenly Father and take delight in His ways.
We magnify our Father God
With songs of thoughtful praise;
As grateful children we confess
How perfect are His ways. —Ball
We honor God’s name when we call Him our Father and live like
His Son.
Source:
Our Daily Bread 2012
