S) "12 Then he brought the king’s son out and put the crown on him and gave him the testimony; and they made him king and anointed him, and they clapped their hands and said, 'Long live the king!'"
2 Kings 11:12 (NASB)
O) In one of the most epic conspiracies in the Bible, Jehoiada the priest kept the existence of Joash a secret for six years. He hid him, protecting his life from his evil grandmother (vv.1-3). When the boy was seven, he determines it is time to crown him, and he assembles loyal troops to guard the temple, and diminutive king (vv.4-11). In the above verse, Jehoiada makes a very, very strong statement. In the same move, he crowns Joash and gives him the testimony (the Law). Wearing a crown will mean nothing, if the king does not know the LORD.
A) Recently, a friend of mine said he felt like he was a "good husband" but not necessarily a "godly husband." It was an incredibly poignant differentiation. Whether or not I am "worthy" to lead my family is irrelevant at this point; my wife and children are depending on me. That is a pretty heavy responsibility. But, you know what? When I weigh that heavy crown against the solidity of God's word, the balance relieves the burden. Trying to be a "good" husband and dad, comes with countless boxes to check. Exhaustion, disappointment, and pain are at the end of that pursuit. To be a godly husband and dad, comes with three boxes to check:
[] Love the LORD with all my heart, all my soul, and all my mind.
[] Love my neighbor as myself.
[] Repent when I fail the first two boxes.
The most important quality I have, as a leader, is to follow the LORD. As I do that, He will shape me as needed, "for our God is a consuming fire." (Hebrews 12:29). As I submit myself to Him, the changes come naturally. It is not a burden, but a pleasure, to change and sacrifice and lead and give.
[] Love the LORD with all my heart, all my soul, and all my mind.
[] Love my neighbor as myself.
[] Repent when I fail the first two boxes.
The most important quality I have, as a leader, is to follow the LORD. As I do that, He will shape me as needed, "for our God is a consuming fire." (Hebrews 12:29). As I submit myself to Him, the changes come naturally. It is not a burden, but a pleasure, to change and sacrifice and lead and give.
P) Father, Thank You for the grace and mercy at work in my life. Let me first be faithful in my pursuit of You. As I pursue You, then I know they will follow in that same pursuit, as they follow me. Help me lead my wife as we follow You in unity, in singularity with each other. Teach me, to teach my children, so they also learn the importance and blessing of a relationship with You. Let my family see me as an example of miraculous grace at work. Discipline me, so that I continue to learn how to be a better husband - not from a burden of responsibility, but as a natural reaction to submission to You. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.
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