Finish Strong
Joash was a King of the nation of Judah. His mentor and advisor was a priest named Jehoiada. For many years, the King was a great leader. Because of the influence of Jehoiada, he made wise decisions, and his leadership was pleasing to God. For this reason, the nation was blessed.
But then, Jehoiada died.
With the death of his Godly mentor, Joash lost his mooring. He then surrounded himself with ungodly men who led him to make poor choices. These men influenced the King to turn from worshiping God, leading to great suffering in Judah. The first part of his reign was filled with greatness, but the second part was marred with failure. Joash was a good man. However, he listened to the advice of wicked people. For this reason, he died in shame and disgrace.
Their coach often encouraged a local college football team to “Finish the drill.”
The coach was telling them to stay focused on the goal. They had to stay strong, remain grounded in their training, and finish what they started. King Joash was a good man who started strong. But he did not remain grounded in his faith, and he did not finish the drill.
Years ago, I was watching the World Series when the announcer made a profound statement. He said that the championship teams did not get to the top by practicing the doing of great things. These teams were great champions because they hit the field every day and practiced simple and fundamental baseball. Practice keeping both hands on the glove, and the impossible over-the-shoulder catches will come.
In the Bible, Jesus promised that we can do great things. However, He taught us to do the simple things. As children of God, we desire the greatest trophy. This trophy is to hear Jesus say, “Well done, My good and faithful servant.” This will happen only if we stay focused on the fundamentals. We must read the Bible daily, pray constantly, and surround ourselves with Godly people.
Remember, it does not matter where you started; it is where you finish that counts. So, focus on God, be led by the Holy Spirit, put on the mind of Christ, and finish strong.
“Joash was seven years old when he became king, and he reigned forty years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Zibiah of Beersheba. Joash did what was right in the sight of the Lord all the days of Jehoiada the priest.
But Jehoiada grew old and was full of days, and he died; he was one hundred and thirty years old when he died. And they buried him in the City of David among the kings, because he had done good in Israel, both toward God and His house.
Now after the death of Jehoiada the leaders of Judah came and bowed down to the king. And the king listened to them. Therefore they left the house of the Lord God of their fathers, and served wooden images and idols; and wrath came upon Judah and Jerusalem because of their trespass.
Yet He sent prophets to them, to bring them back to the Lord; and they testified against them, but they would not listen. Thus Joash the king did not remember the kindness which Jehoiada his father had done to him, but killed his son; and as he died, he said, “The Lord look on it, and repay!” So it happened in the spring of the year that the army of Syria came up against him; and they came to Judah and Jerusalem, and destroyed all the leaders of the people from among the people, and sent all their spoil to the king of Damascus.
For the army of the Syrians came with a small company of men; but the Lord delivered a very great army into their hand, because they had forsaken the Lord God of their fathers. So they executed judgment against Joash. And when they had withdrawn from him (for they left him severely wounded), his own servants conspired against him because of the blood of the sons of Jehoiada the priest, and killed him on his bed. So he died. And they buried him in the City of David, but they did not bury him in the tombs of the kings.”
II Chronicles 24:1-2, 15-19, 22-25 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/2ch.24.1-25.NKJV
Douglas & Deborah Huff
From Down Where the Pavement Ends
Email- pavementendsministry@gmail.com
