Day 26 – Faithfulness

2 Chronicles 24:1 Joash was seven years old when he became king, and he reigned forty years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Zibiah of Beersheba. 2 Joash did what was right in the sight of JEHOVAH throughout the days of Jehoiada the priest.

 3 Jehoiada took two wives for him, and he had sons and daughters.

 4 Now it happened after this Joash set his heart on repairing the house of JEHOVAH. 5 Then he gathered the priests and the Levites, and said to them, “Go out to the cities of Judah, and gather from Israel money to repair the house of your Elohiym from year to year and see that you do it quickly.” However, the Levites did not do it quickly.

 6 Then the king called Jehoiada the chief priest, and said to him, “Why have you not required the Levites to bring in from Judah and from Jerusalem the collection, according to the commandment of Moses the servant of JEHOVAH and of the assembly of Israel, for the tabernacle of witness?”

 7 For the sons of Athaliah, that wicked woman, had broken into the house of Elohiym, and had also presented the dedicated things of the house of JEHOVAH to the Baals.

 8 Then at the king’s command they made a chest and set it outside at the gate of the house of JEHOVAH. 9 They made a proclamation throughout Judah and Jerusalem to bring to JEHOVAH the collection Moses the servant of Elohiym had imposed on Israel in the wilderness.

 10 Then the leaders and the people rejoiced, brought their contributions, and put them into the chest until everyone had given.

 11 Thus, it happened, at that time, when the chest was brought to the king’s official by the hand of the Levites, and when they saw there was much money, the king’s scribe and the high priest’s officer came and emptied the chest and took it and returned it to its place. Thus, they did day by day and gathered money in abundance.

 12 The king and Jehoiada gave it to those who did the work of the service of the house of JEHOVAH; and they hired masons and carpenters to repair the house of JEHOVAH, and those who worked in iron and bronze to restore the house of JEHOVAH.

 13 Then the workmen labored, and the work was completed by them; they restored the house of Elohiym to its original condition and reinforced it.

 14 When they had finished, they brought the rest of the money before the king and Jehoiada; they made from it articles for the house of JEHOVAH, articles for serving and offering, spoons and vessels of gold and silver. And they offered burnt offerings in the house of JEHOVAH continually throughout the days of Jehoiada.

 15 However, Jehoiada grew old and was full of days, and he died; he was one hundred and thirty years old when he died. 16 They buried him in the City of David among the kings, because he had done good in Israel, both toward Elohiym and His house.

 17 Now after the death of Jehoiada the leaders of Judah came and bowed down to the king. The king listened to them.

 18 Therefore, they left the house of JEHOVAH Elohiym of their fathers and served wooden images and idols; and wrath came upon Judah and Jerusalem because of their trespass.

 19 Yet He sent prophets to them, to bring them back to JEHOVAH; and they testified against them, but they would not listen.

 20 Then the Ruwach of Elohiym came upon Zechariah the son of Jehoiada the priest, who stood above the people, and said to them, “Thus says Elohiym, ‘Why do you transgress the commandments of JEHOVAH, so that you cannot prosper? Because you have forsaken JEHOVAH, He also has forsaken you.’”

 21 Then they conspired against him, and at the command of the king they stoned him with stones in the court of the house of JEHOVAH.

 22 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, “JEHOVAH look on it, and repay!”

 23 Then it happened in the spring of the year the army of Syria came against him; and they came to Judah and Jerusalem and destroyed the leaders of the people from among the people and sent their spoil to the king of Damascus. 24 For the army of the Syrians came with a small company of men; but JEHOVAH delivered a great army into their hand, because they had forsaken JEHOVAH Elohiym of their fathers. Thus, they executed judgment against Joash.

 25 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. Thus, he died. They buried him in the City of David, but they did not bury him in the tombs of the kings.

 26 These are the ones who conspired against him: Zabad the son of Shimeath the Ammonitess, and Jehozabad the son of Shimrith the Moabitess.

 27 Now concerning his sons, and the many oracles about him, and the repairing of the house of Elohiym, indeed they are written in the annals of the book of the kings. Then Amaziah his son reigned in his place.

God’s names:

JEHOVAH – Self-existent, Eternal

Elohiym – Supreme God

Ruwach – Violent Wind, Breath, Spirit

Yeshuwa – Jesus

Theos – Supreme Divinity

Soter (So-tare) – Deliverer, Christ, Savior

Pneuma – Violent Wind, Whirlwind, Breath, Spirit

Christos – Anointed One, Messiah

Iesous – Jesus

God’s character:

Judge

How do seemingly good, upright people turn bad so quickly?

Joash did right in the sight of JEHOVAH throughout Jehoiada’s life. However, as soon as he died, Joash turned away from Elohiym. For his disobedience, JEHOVAH sent Syria against him.

When you accepted Yeshuwa as Savior and Lord, you committed to a life of obedience and service to Him. Your commitment to Yeshuwa lasts only as long as it takes for Satan to come against your newfound faith. He will do everything he can to turn your heart away from Yeshuwa and follow him. You must remain strong and steadfast in your faith so Satan cannot get a stronghold in your life.

How do you remain faithful to Yeshuwa when the world seems to call your name?

1. As soon as you accept Yeshuwa as Savior and Lord, you need to find a church that preaches the inerrant Word of Elohiym. Connect with other believers in the church to help keep you strong in your faith.

Hebrews 10:24 And let us consider one another to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

• Attend a good Bible study to keep you grounded in your faith.

2 Timothy 2:15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to Theos, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of Theos, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of Theos may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

• Pray. Gather with other believers to pray for each other, your leaders, and everyone in authority.

1 Timothy 2:1 Therefore, I exhort first that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, 2 for kings and everyone in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in godliness and reverence. 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of Theos our Soter, 4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Ephesians 6:18 praying always with prayer and supplication in the Pneuma, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for the saints—

1 Thessalonians 5:16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of Theos in Christos Iesous for you. 19 Do not quench the Pneuma. 20 Do not despise prophecies. 21 Test everything; hold fast what is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil.

When you are diligent to remain faithful to Yeshuwa, He will always be with you to destroy every thought and imagination Satan brings against you.

2 Corinthians 10:3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in Theos for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of Theos, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christos, 6 and being ready to punish every disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.

Faith isn’t easy, but it is doable with Yeshuwa’s help.

Let’s pray: Father, fill me with Your purpose and help me remain faithful to You in everything I say and do. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

Copyright © 13 February 2025 by Valerie Routhieaux