Seize the Moment – Day 966
The Intentionality of an Orderly Life!
Good morning! This is Pastor Jerry Ingalls from New Castle First Baptist Church and today is Tuesday, November 8.
Does your life feel like it’s out of control? Has your calendar been hijacked? Maybe it’s time to reorganize your priorities because the life you live is either going to be intentional in fulfilling those priorities or reactionary to your circumstances.
After watching the dramatic fall of his father, Jotham served as the king of Judah for sixteen years. His kingship was summarized in 2 Chronicles 27:6, “So Jotham became mighty because he ordered his ways before the Lord his God.” [emphasis added] As one commentator explained, “Here the Hebrew is, literally, ‘He made firm his ways before Yahweh his God,’ an expression that refers to doing something without flinching or wavering.”[1] The same phrase in used in Proverbs 21:29, “A wicked man displays a bold face, but as for the upright, he makes his way sure.”
Jotham grew mighty like his father, King Uzziah, but he did not fall into the same snare as that of his father – pride in his accomplishments! How did Jotham avoid falling into the trap by which many strong leaders fall? Jotham kept God as his priority; he ordered his ways without flinching or wavering from his life’s priorities! He didn’t allow his successes or failures to take over his life and determine his next steps.
It’s like going on a journey with a destination firmly established. You set your course even though you will pull off the road to look at vistas, stop in towns to get meals and fill the gas tank, get your vehicle serviced when the check engine light comes on, but you always return to the purpose of the trip – getting to the destination!
God bless you!
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YOUTUBE:
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FOOTNOTE:
[1] Mark J. Boda, Cornerstone Biblical Commentary: 1-2 Chronicles, vol. 5 (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2010), 373.