Daily Devotional for Wednesday, June 24

Zachariah, Israel’s Fourteenth Ruler

“And he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord, as his fathers had done: he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin,” 2 Kings 15:9.

My mother’s first childhood memory was being in the arms of her mother, eating a piece of chocolate cake. The cake was crumbling into pieces as my grandmother was being physically struck numerous times by my grandfather. My grandfather was an alcoholic. He struggled with alcoholism for many years, and it took a toll on my grandmother and mother as well. Yet, despite the awful circumstances these devoted women stayed true to the Lord and served Him faithfully.
Many people use the circumstances of their upbringing as an excuse to live sinful lives. King Zachariah did not depart from the idolatrous sins of his grandfather, Jeroboam. Just imagine the impact he could have made if he had purposed in his heart to turn things around in Israel and serve the living God! He could have set the nation of Israel on a completely different course and kept them from captivity and the judgment of God. But sadly, he was just as evil as the kings before him and was killed after only six months into his reign.
I am so thankful for my mother and grandmother and their determination to live for the Lord amid such difficulty and chaos. Because of their faithful witness, my father also came to the truth and faithfully pastored the Lord’s churches for many years. What an impact they made on our family and many others throughout the years! You do not have to repeat the sins of your parents or grandparents. Purpose in your heart to change the course of your family and serve the Lord faithfully. Your impact on the lives around you reaches further than you could ever imagine.

REFLECTION
“Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it” (Psalm 34:14).

Darla Goodrum