As we read through the Bible it’s relevant to our lives today.
Jotham rests with his fathers and we pick it up to a 22-year-old becoming king. For the next 16 years Ahaz will lead Judah. During his reign we find out he did not do what was right in the sight of the Lord.
Notice this though, “In the time of his distress he became yet more faithless to the Lord—this same King Ahaz. For he sacrificed to the gods of Damascus that had defeated him and said, “Because the gods of the kings of Syria helped them, I will sacrifice to them that they may help me.” But they were the ruin of him and of all Israel. And Ahaz gathered together the vessels of the house of God and cut in pieces the vessels of the house of God, and he shut up the doors of the house of the Lord, and he made himself altars in every corner of Jerusalem.” 2 Chronicles 28:22-24
Ahaz, in his distress became more faithless to the Lord. He turned to man-made gods, destroyed things dedicated to the Lord, and made it so others couldn’t worship corporately. When Ahaz was distressed, he made decisions to make things worse.
What about you and me… what do we do in times of distress. I admit at moments when I am distressed, I make poor decisions. Thankfully not to the degree of Ahaz but I believe we all can fall into the same trap at times.
Pray, ask the Lord to make you aware of how you respond in moments where distress is in the atmosphere. When the Holy Spirit makes you aware talk to the Father about it. Ask for strength to help in those times. Let’s thrive even in moments or seasons of distress as we turn to the Lord for help in our time of need!
-To Know Jesus. To Live on Mission.