Daily Devotional for Tuesday, May 6

Jehu Kills Joram of Israel

“Surely I have seen yesterday the blood of Naboth, and the blood of his sons, saith the Lord: and I will requite thee in this plat, saith the Lord,” 2 Kings 9:26.

As the newly anointed king of Israel, Jehu wasted no time in executing God’s mandate. Jehu was a general under King Joram, and he planned his attack carefully. He secured Ramoth-gilead so no one would warn Jehu, assembled his soldiers and drove his chariot like a madman. 

When the watchman spotted the approaching chariots, Joram sent two soldiers to ask if they were coming in peace. Instead of returning with a message of peace, both soldiers listened to Jehu’s warning and returned with him to execute God’s judgment. 

Even though Joram was wounded, he and King Ahaziah of Judah made their chariots ready and went out to meet Jehu. When Joram saw his general, he was totally unaware God had anointed Jehu as his replacement as king and his executioner. Jehu drew a bow with his full strength, the arrow striking and killing Joram, fulfilling God’s commandment and executing judgment on Ahab’s wicked son. Moments later, King Ahaziah was also killed. 

God’s judgment may seem harsh to our modern ways of thinking, but Joram had lived a violent and ungodly life, following in the footsteps of his wicked parents, Ahab and Jezebel. God sent Elijah years earlier to warn them of coming judgment. Despite having years to repent, King Joram continued to rebel. He did not repent and eventually reaped what he had sown.

Are you living in fear because of an ungodly lifestyle and the guilt of your sins? Have you sown the seeds of rebellion toward God? “There is no peace, saith the Lord, unto the wicked” (Isaiah 48:22). Repentance and faith in Jesus Christ as your personal Savior is your only hope of escaping God’s righteous judgment. Repent and be saved today!

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

“And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved” (Acts 16:31).

Karen Meigs