SWHW Two Year Bible Reading Plan: February, Year 2预览

Top Takeaway from Michelle Myers:

Today's reading gave us several stories of Israel's kings - mainly stories of what not to do. But the one that stood out to me may surprise you: Jotham over Judah (2 Kings 15:32-38).

"He [Jotham] did what was right in the sight of the Lord; he did according to all that his father Uzziah had done. Only the high places were not taken away; the people still sacrificed and burned incense on the high places..." - 2 Kings 15:34-35a

The "high places" were hilltop shrines to pagan gods. So Jotham got most things right, and he did what was right in the sight of the Lord -- but leaving the high places went against God's commandment to worship no other gods. 

Jotham got many good things right, but he missed the main thing: only God is worthy of our worship.

And good, while not evil, still falls short of God. So under Jotham's leadership, this major thing, allowing other gods to be worshiped, was missed, and even though Jotham did many good things, Israel continued heading down a road of compromise that eventually ended up at evil. 

But this is the thing that I kept coming back to: it says "he did according to all that his father Uzziah had done" (2 Kings 15:34). 

And his father was a good king. But Uzziah was not God, so he alone could not serve as the best example for his son, Jotham.

Enter Jesus. Praise God.

Three specific things come to my mind with this:

#1 - If you haven't had many godly role models in your life:

Maybe you're the only believer so far in your family tree. Maybe there's even pain you feel to this day from your childhood. But even if you feel like you haven't had many godly role models in your life, let's never forget that Jesus really did come to earth, lived a sinless life, and gives us the only perfect example of living a godly life on earth. The Bible isn't merely a story. It records real events orchestrated by our real God. 

Look to Jesus as the perfect example.

#2 - If you find yourself looking to flawed humans as your example more frequently than you look to Jesus:

They will let you down. It may not be intentional, but they will -- because as godly as they may be, they are still a flawed human this side of heaven. Let's not allow ourselves to put the weight on any human being that only Jesus can rightly and fully bear. Jesus will not let you down. He will not fail. 

I'm not anti role model or mentor. I have them in my life, and I'm grateful for them.  But let's make sure we're aiming at the example of Jesus and not merely setting our sights on another human.

#3 - If you serve as a godly example/mentor for others:

Point other people to Jesus, not to you. Everything I just said above is true for you. You will let others down. Again, it may not be intentional, but you will. Don't put weight on yourself that you cannot bear. You cannot and will not be perfect. Only Jesus will not fail.

So lead people and love people. Teach them what God is teaching you in His Word. But only point them to Him. A personal relationship with a godly person is not enough to satisfy a human's spiritual needs. We need (and praise the Lord, we get to have!) a personal relationship with God Himself. 

Lord, protect us from compromise. Help us to follow You fully. Don't allow us to get timid about obedience. God, every earthly example falls short of Jesus. Thank You for sending Jesus to earth to allow us to see You in flesh. God, Christmas may be over, but remind us to daily live in wonder and awe that You came down and You're coming back. Help us to continuously look to and point others to You. We love You! Amen.