“So Jotham became mighty, because he prepared his ways before the LORD his God” (2 Chronicles 27:6).
TEXT — 2 Chronicles 27:1-9
Message
In the biography, “Scalia: Rise to Greatness, 1936–1986”, acclaimed American journalist and bestselling historian, James Rosen, provides the first comprehensive account of the life of Antonin Scalia’s rise to greatness. His singular career in government—including three decades on the Supreme Court—shaped American law and society in the twenty-first century. His achievements were, among others, attributed to his faith in God. Justice Scalia himself admitted later, in an interview, that the commandment, “Thou Shalt Not Lie”, was pivotal in his work.
Today’s text outlines the rise to power of Jotham, the eleventh king of Judah, and son of Uzziah. He was 25 years old when he began his 16-year reign. He governed well “for he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD”, and excelled in infrastructural development and military conquests. His projects began with the gate of the house of the Lord, which he repaired, beautified, and raised. He then fortified the wall of Ophel and built cities in the mountains of Judah. In his military conquests, he waged a successful war against the Ammonites, resulting in their paying him tribute for three years. All these made him increase in wealth, power, and influence over neighbouring nations, “…because he prepared his ways before the LORD his God” He particularly emulated his father in all the areas he did wisely, but avoided the examples where he failed, particularly in the presumptuous sin of entering into the temple to burn incense, a duty exclusively reserved for priests.
Today, many people seek greatness, but in the wrong way, without recourse to God. They are self-centred and self-conceited. They permit no limits in their quest to achieve their selfish goal and recklessly quieten their conscience. They may achieve success, riches, and wealth but they will miss true greatness, as “wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase” (Proverbs 13:11).
Like Jotham, you can rise to greatness by heeding Christ’s admonition to seek “…first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness” (Matthew 6:33). This entails repentance, pleading for cleansing and pardon, and a commitment to submit totally to Him for the rest of your life. Therein lies the secret of true greatness!
Thought for the day
The road to real greatness passes through Calvary.
Listed among “500 most powerful people on the planet” by the Foreign Policy magazine in 2013, Pastor (Dr.) William F. Kumuyi is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry (DCLM) headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria. DCLM started in 1973 as a 15-member Bible study group right in Kumuyi’s apartment at University of Lagos where he was a lecturer. His revolutionary Bible teaching on personal holiness and commitment to evangelism soon gained so much traction and resulted in a widespread revival.
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