Read: 2 Chronicles 24:15-22
Young Joash would have been frightened when he heard about the evil deeds of his grandmother Athaliah. She killed his brothers to usurp the throne in Judah. But his aunt and uncle had hidden him safely for six years (2 Chron. 22:10-12). He enjoyed their love and instruction. When he was only seven years old, he was crowned king and his grandmother was dethroned (2 Chron. 23:12-15).
This young king had a wise counsellor beside him – his uncle Jehoiada. Joash was one among the few good kings of Judah, and when his uncle was alive, he obeyed the Lord in everything (2 Chron. 24:2). But after his uncle’s death, he disobeyed God and his life ended badly (2 Chron. 24:15-25). He even resorted to worshipping idols. His faith was not deep enough, and it was not real faith like his uncle’s.
Preachers and teachers can teach us a lot regarding the Bible and faith, but each of us must come individually to a lasting and personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Only when faith becomes our own will faith become real. God will help us walk with Him and become rooted and established in the faith (Col. 2:6-7). Only real faith will stand the test of time, and the faith that continues to the end gives proof that it was genuine in the beginning.
