Casandra Martin

I have to admit that I sometimes skim through the Old Testament kings. After a while, they all start sounding alike. This one did evil while this one did what was right. This one ascended to the throne while on the other side of Israel this one died and was buried. I am not saying that I am proud of my skimming. I’m just being honest.

Today, though, I didn’t skim. I slowed down and let the images of kings serving the Lord inspire me. Even those who walked away from God have lessons to teach me. A good king named Jotham captured my attention. He isn’t famous. His entire reign is summarized in nine verses in 2 Chronicles 27. Jotham is king in Judah. He is the grandfather of Hezekiah. He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord. We have a record of building projects, battles, and the people’s continued heart for idolatry. In the middle of the description of Jotham’s reign, it says this – “So Jotham became mighty, because he ordered his ways before the Lord his God.” (2 Chronicles 27:6)

This one sentence about Jotham challenges and inspires me. He ordered his ways before the Lord. He let the things of God shape his priorities, activities, and accomplishments. What if I did the same? What would happen if I brought my to-do list to God and let Him order my day? What would God add to my list? Take away? (Makes you nervous, doesn’t it?) It takes courage to let God have control of my laundry, work deadlines, and grocery shopping. I might find that He adds rest, laughter, and celebration to the list. He would remove the superficial, giving me opportunities to be touched and transformed. Mostly, I think He would want me to open my eyes to His presence and be more aware of His movement.

My Jesus Resolution today is to follow Jotham’s example and order my ways before the Lord. Ordering takes deliberation and investment. Things don’t become ordered by accident or chance. I like what happened in Jotham because he ordered his ways before God. He became mighty. I want to be mighty. I want to be mighty in praising His name, mighty in telling others about His love, mighty in lifting up the cross, and mighty in imitating His Son.