Daily D – 2 Chronicles 28:1-4

by David Bowman | Aug 20, 2024 | Daily D | 0 comments

2 Chronicles 28:1-4 Ahaz was twenty years old when he became king, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. He did not do what was right in the Lord’s sight like his ancestor David, for he walked in the ways of the kings of Israel and made cast images of the Baals. He burned incense in Ben Hinnom Valley and burned his children in the fire, imitating the detestable practices of the nations the Lord had dispossessed before the Israelites. He sacrificed and burned incense on the high places, on the hills, and under every green tree. (CSB)

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King Ahaz was an ABG Leader. He would try anything to get ahead, Anything But God. He knew Israel’s history. He knew the stories of God’s amazing grace, wonder-working power, dramatic deliverance, and daily provision. He knew it and pretended it didn’t happen.

Ahaz didn’t want to serve an all-powerful God; he wanted to become so powerful that nothing and no one could oppose him. He chose evil to accrue power.

Let’s play like we are babies playing Peek-a-Boo. Babies love this game. They are learning what is predictable and dependable in their brand-new understanding. They laugh with delight when what is hidden from them for a moment is replaced by the face they love so much.

Predictability teaches us so many things. For example, do stupid things and get stupid results. Do the hard right thing and get God-honoring results that bless and serve others.

What do you think happens with Ahaz? Things went from bad to worse because of his endless bad decisions. He inevitably came to a turning point. He had an opportunity to ask God for help, to undo all of his foolishness. What happened next? Verse 22 tells us:

“At the time of his distress, King Ahaz himself became more unfaithful to the Lord.”

Ahaz doubled down in his rebellion against God and all his goodness. Forrest Gump’s mom was right. Stupid is as stupid does.

Ahaz did not begin well or end well. He was buried, but not with the honorable kings who lived before him. What a wasted life!

Let’s predict what happens next for us. When we choose to look for God’s goodness, we find it and delight in it again and again. When we trust God to be God, to provide and protect, we experience his goodness with joy. That goodness overflows to those we are closest to where we live, work, and play.

There is the option of the Ahaz Way, the ABG School of Leadership. It is the way of foolproof failure. You are guaranteed to lose.

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I will choose to look for God and to delight in his smile.

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Our Father, I look to you alone for what I need and what I want. Shape all of my desires by your grace and kindness. Empower me to express your overflowing goodness whenever I’m pressed. Amen.

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