Bible Reading: 2 Chron. 24; 2Thes.2:1-9
“Now after the death of Jehoiada came the princes of Judah, and made obeisance to the king. Then the king hearkened unto them.” 2 Chronicles 24:17 (KJV)
A few months ago, a believer shared some of his experience with me. He helped a few people without expecting any reward in return and those people acknowledged his help.
Subsequently in church service, the people came at different times to give testimony of how he helped them out of their various challenges. He secretly relished the praise from such acknowledgement though he had told the people earlier not to share it with others.
The problem is that he noticed every Sunday morning, something nudges him to get prepared quickly and get to church on time so that he could hear some others that may give testimony of his support for them. He took note of this and started praying to God that he did not want to take the Glory of God and therefore prayed against the pride of life that was creeping into his life.
We both recognised that this is how a lot of men of God get pride in their lives and end up focusing on their ability and glorying in the praises of men rather than returning all glory to God. If this is not checked on time, such men may lose their ministry.
This is what happened to the king of Judah, Joash who was enthroned by a priest, Jehoiada in the passage that we read, 2 Chronicles 24. When Jehoiada was alive, the king followed the Lord because he was guided throughout by the Priest and the Levites. However upon the death of the priest, the princes came to reverence the king. 2 Chronicles 24:17 (KJV): “Now after the death of Jehoiada came the princes of Judah, and made obeisance to the king. Then the king hearkened unto them.”
With the praises of the Prince, he began to follow their advice and they gradually led him away from God and he started worshipping idols. (2 Chron. 24;18).
By the time the son of Jehoiada who made him king came to tell them that they should change their wicked ways, the king was already used to the reverence and completely won by the princes to their side such that the king ordered that they should stone Jehoiada’s son to death forgetting that it was his father that saved him and made him king!
This is what men praises and reverence can lead a man to.
Action Point: Please examine yourself to see where you are being given undue reverence. Ask for mercy from God and re-channel immediately all such glory to the Lord. Also ensure you let all those responsible know your stand on such going forward.
Bro. Biodun Oyapero