The Daily Devotional
Friday, October 27, 2023
The Weight of Our Actions
His people made no funeral fire in his honor, as they had for his predecessors.
2 Chronicles 21:19c (NIV)
In the hit musical Hamilton, England’s King George III is humorously portrayed as a cartoonish, deranged villain. However, a new biography on King George said he was not the tyrant described in Hamilton or America’s Declaration of Independence. If George had been the brutal despot that Americans said he was, he would have stopped their drive for independence with extreme, scorched-earth measures. But he was restrained by his “civilized, good-natured” temperament.
Who knows if King George died with regret? Would his reign have been more successful if he’d been harsher with his subjects?
Reflection:
2 Chronicles 21:19c reveals a poignant and stark reality about the consequences of our actions. Jehoram, a king who did evil in the eyes of the Lord, died in solitude and dishonor, without the traditional fire that was made for his ancestors. This symbolic gesture of not lighting a fire reveals how our actions can significantly impact how we are remembered.
Jehoram's dishonorable departure serves as a sobering reminder that our choices and actions have a lasting impact, not just on our lives, but on the lives of those around us and how we are remembered after we're gone.
Historians may debate whether George was too soft; Jehoram was surely too harsh. A better way is that of King Jesus, who is full of grace and truth (John 1:14). Christ’s expectations are firm (He demands truth), yet He embraces those who fail (He extends grace). Jesus calls us who believe in Him to follow His lead. Then, through the leading of His Holy Spirit, He empowers us to do so.
Application:
1. Examine Our Actions: Regularly reflect on your actions and decisions. Are they in line with God's teachings, or are they steering you away from His path?
2. Seek God's Guidance: In every decision, big or small, seek God's guidance through prayer and meditation on His word. Let Him guide your steps.
3. Build a Lasting Legacy: Strive to build a legacy that honors God and reflects His love and grace. Your actions and choices today will shape how you are remembered.
4. Cultivate Positive Relationships: Build and maintain relationships that are rooted in love, respect, and shared faith. These relationships will be your support and legacy.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, we pray for the wisdom to reflect on our actions and the courage to align them with Your teachings. Guide us in our decisions, big and small, and help us to build a legacy that honors You. May our lives be a testament to Your love and grace, and may we cultivate relationships that reflect Your love. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
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