CHRIST APOSTOLIC CHURCH
THE LIVING WATER DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE
DATE: Saturday, February 3, 2024
TOPIC: RELIGIOSITY WITHOUT LOYALTY
MEMORISE:
And he did what was right in the sight of the Lord, but not with a loyal heart (2 Chronicles 25:2)
READ: 2 Chronicles 25:1-28
1. Amaziah was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Jehoaddan of Jerusalem.
2. And he did what was right in the sight of the Lord, but not with a loyal heart.
3. Now it happened, as soon as the kingdom was established for him, that he executed his servants who had murdered his father the king.
4. However he did not execute their children, but did as it is written in the Law in the Book of Moses, where the Lord commanded, saying, “The fathers shall not be put to death for their children, nor shall the children be put to death for their fathers; but a person shall die for his own sin.”
5. Moreover Amaziah gathered Judah together and set over them captains of thousands and captains of hundreds, according to their fathers’ houses, throughout all Judah and Benjamin; and he numbered them from twenty years old and above, and found them to be three hundred thousand choice men, able to go to war, who could handle spear and shield.
6. He also hired one hundred thousand mighty men of valor from Israel for one hundred talents of silver.
7. But a man of God came to him, saying, “O king, do not let the army of Israel go with you, for the Lord is not with Israel—not with any of the children of Ephraim.
8. But if you go, be gone! Be strong in battle! Even so, God shall make you fall before the enemy; for God has power to help and to overthrow.”
9. Then Amaziah said to the man of God, “But what shall we do about the hundred talents which I have given to the troops of Israel?” And the man of God answered, “The Lord is able to give you much more than this.”
10. So Amaziah discharged the troops that had come to him from Ephraim, to go back home. Therefore their anger was greatly aroused against Judah, and they returned home in great anger.
11. Then Amaziah strengthened himself, and leading his people, he went to the Valley of Salt and killed ten thousand of the people of Seir.
12. Also the children of Judah took captive ten thousand alive, brought them to the top of the rock, and cast them down from the top of the rock, so that they all were dashed in pieces.
13. But as for the soldiers of the army which Amaziah had discharged, so that they would not go with him to battle, they raided the cities of Judah from Samaria to Beth Horon, killed three thousand in them, and took much spoil.
14. Now it was so, after Amaziah came from the slaughter of the Edomites, that he brought the gods of the people of Seir, set them up to be his gods, and bowed down before them and burned incense to them.
15. Therefore the anger of the Lord was aroused against Amaziah, and He sent him a prophet who said to him, “Why have you sought the gods of the people, which could not rescue their own people from your hand?”
16. So it was, as he talked with him, that the king said to him, “Have we made you the king’s counselor? Cease! Why should you be killed?” Then the prophet ceased, and said, “I know that God has determined to destroy you, because you have done this and have not heeded my advice.”
17. Now Amaziah king of Judah asked advice and sent to Joash the son of Jehoahaz, the son of Jehu, king of Israel, saying, “Come, let us face one another in battle.”
18. And Joash king of Israel sent to Amaziah king of Judah, saying, “The thistle that was in Lebanon sent to the cedar that was in Lebanon, saying, ‘Give your daughter to my son as wife’; and a wild beast that was in Lebanon passed by and trampled the thistle.
19. Indeed you say that you have defeated the Edomites, and your heart is lifted up to boast. Stay at home now; why should you meddle with trouble, that you should fall—you and Judah with you?”
20. But Amaziah would not heed, for it came from God, that He might give them into the hand of their enemies, because they sought the gods of Edom.
21. So Joash king of Israel went out; and he and Amaziah king of Judah faced one another at Beth Shemesh, which belongs to Judah.
22. And Judah was defeated by Israel, and every man fled to his tent.
23. Then Joash the king of Israel captured Amaziah king of Judah, the son of Joash, the son of Jehoahaz, at Beth Shemesh; and he brought him to Jerusalem, and broke down the wall of Jerusalem from the Gate of Ephraim to the Corner Gate—four hundred cubits.
24. And he took all the gold and silver, all the articles that were found in the house of God with Obed-Edom, the treasures of the king’s house, and hostages, and returned to Samaria.
25. Amaziah the son of Joash, king of Judah, lived fifteen years after the death of Joash the son of Jehoahaz, king of Israel.
26. Now the rest of the acts of Amaziah, from first to last, indeed are they not written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel?
27. After the time that Amaziah turned away from following the Lord, they made a conspiracy against him in Jerusalem, and he fled to Lachish; but they sent after him to Lachish and killed him there.
28. Then they brought him on horses and buried him with his fathers in the City of Judah.
EXPOSITION
Oftentimes we confuse religiosity with sincerity and loyalty. Amamah's life proves this very wrong. His initial actions after assuming leadership, such as avenging his father's murder and upholding the Law of Moses may have appeared righteous, but his heart wasn't fully aligned with God's will. Good News Translation of 2 Chronicles 25:2 says, He did what was pleasing to the LORD, but did it reluctantly. This external religiosity lacked the depth of loyalty and devotion that God desires from His children. The succeeding events, including the war against Edom against God's will that resulted in idolatry (2 Chro 25:5ff), and the events that led to his nothing to be desired death (vv. 25ff), all show that He did what was right from Adonai's perspective, but not wholeheartedly (v. 2 CJB); He did what was right, but sometimes resented it! (TLB).
This sad story of Amaziah's life charges you to examine your own hearts. Hope it is not that you merely go through religious motions. Is your faith deeply rooted in loyalty to God? It is easy to perform religious duties without genuinely seeking God's will, or loving Him wholeheartedly. True loyalty is surrendering our desires and ambitions to God's purpose. It means loving the Lord wholeheartedly (Deut. 6:5). It means seeking God's guidance in all aspects of our lives, not just when it is convenient. Does that describe you? If not, CHANGE
SUGGESTED HYMN FOR TODAY: CAC GHB: 452
1. Just as God who reigns on high
Spake to men in days gone by,
So the Lord is calling men today,
And, my brother this is true,
Whatso-e'er He says to you
There is but one thing to do just obey
Chorus:
Just obey, just obey,
Is the way, God's way;
When His message comes to you
There is but one thing to do,
Just obey just obey.
2. If you're in the Saviour's hand,
You must do as He commands
For there is no other gospel way;
Never put the message by,
Never stop to reason why,
When the Saviour speaks to you, just obey.
3. If for mansions fair you sigh
In that land beyond the sky,
After time with you has pass'd away;
Tho' the way you may not see,
Christ is calling "Follow Me."
Faith and duty both will cry just obey.
Amen.
PRAYER POINTS
1. Holy Spirit, search my heart and reveal any areas where I may be practising religiosity without true loyalty.
2. Lord, help me to wholeheartedly love and serve You.
3. Lord, henceforth, may our actions as church members and leaders align with our devotion, and may our lives be pleasing in Your sight.
EXTRA READING FOR TODAY: Leviticus 7, 8, 9
AUTHOR: CAC Worldwide
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