Daily Devotional for Saturday, May 17

The Assassination of Joash

“And the rest of the acts of Joash, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah? And his servants arose, and made a conspiracy, and slew Joash in the house of Millo, which goeth down to Silla. For Jozachar the son of Shimeath, and Jehozabad the son of Shomer, his servants, smote him, and he died; and they buried him with his fathers in the city of David: and Amaziah his son reigned in his stead,” 2 Kings 12:19-21.

Joash began his reign with promise, guided by the counsel of the priest Jehoiada. Under his guidance, Joash restored the Temple of the Lord and implemented reforms to strengthen the worship of God in Judah. However, after the death of Jehoiada, Joash turned away from the Lord and embraced idolatry. His faithfulness waned, and he allowed the influence of worldly desires to corrupt his heart.

The assassination of Joash served as a stark consequence of his departure from God. Though he may have felt secure in his position of power, Joash ultimately fell victim to the treachery of his own servants. His life ended not with honor and glory, but with betrayal and violence. This text reminds us of the dangers of spiritual complacency and the importance of remaining steadfast in our faith. Like Joash, we may begin our journey with good intentions and zeal for God, but if we allow worldly distractions to lead us astray, we risk losing sight of what truly matters.

DAILY CHALLENGE

May we remain vigilant against the allure of sin and continually seek His guidance and strength. And may we remember that true security and fulfillment can only be found in a steadfast relationship with God, who is our refuge and strength in every circumstance.

Steven Ridings