2 Chronicles 24:2
Joash did what was right in the eyes of the LORD all the years of
Jehoiada the priest.
Almost around the corner is the 2012 London Olympics. I may have
zero athletic blood in me, but this is something I always look forward to. With
the social networking sites providing links to updates and inside stories, even
fans can prepare for the competitions. I especially like checking profiles. My
latest read was about Anna Li, a Chinese-America gymnast who, although a
hundred percent Chinese, is playing for the US team. Her parents were both
Olympics medalists and coaches who initially do not want her this dream because
they knew how hard it will be. Li said: ‘It's
me who wants it, no one has to
force me to push for my dream.
They just support me.’
Reading the first paragraphs of chapter twenty four, you’ll have the
impression that King Joash himself loved the Lord. He initiated the temple restoration
project, proclaimed the required tax for its completion, even questioned the
high priest when he saw the work wasn’t progressing. He supported all religious
concepts, even attended to it - - for as long as his mentor was around. When
Jehoiada died, so did Joash’ piety. The idolatry his mentor smashed, he welded.
The very son of the one who raised him up, he ordered stoned. As a result, God
sent judgment via the king of Aram. All his good works plundered, leaving him
severely wounded and helpless against his official’s conspiracy. Unlike his
mentor, his body was not buried in the tombs of the kings. For unlike his
mentor, his heart wasn’t after God’s own.
As a parent, this story scares me. For like Jehoiada, I made sure
God’s word is in my kids' hands. My goal is to raise them up loving God and His
work, as my own parents did to me. That means being a godly example too. But if
Judah’s high priest wasn’t able to do it, what’s my guarantee? It’s a
heartbreaking thought that when I die, so will their compliance to the things of
God. What would bridge the gap so they’d be like Li and say ‘It’s me who want
it!’ Paul prayed the same for Timothy
when he said, ‘Continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of’.
As parents, the most we can do is to
provide the ‘learning’ and pave the way for them to know Christ. The second half
is a really personal decision. As
coaches, we can give them winning tips on running, but the choice to run is theirs. We can’t
force it on them. As young as they are,
let them know that their obedience is not to us, but to God’s. That mindset
would at least provide us a clue when it’s time to pray harder. As we always should.
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