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Scripture – 2 Kings 15:6: 6As for the other events of Azariah’s reign, and all he did, are they not written in the book of annals of the kings of Judah?

OK, I can hear the reaction through the internet – “What in the world is he thinking of? Why would he choose that verse to focus on? How is this possibly a word to guide us?” I confess it took this assignment to make me see the pattern that exists throughout the chapters we have read, as well as in this chapter.

Over and over, the Bible, this Book of all books, has relayed cautionary tales of the kings who led their countries, some for many decades. Azariah, for instance, reigned for 52 years. And he did, I guess, get 7 verses in the Bible for all of that – something you and I will never achieve. But how would you like his account to be your legacy?! He did some things “right in the eyes of the Lord” but neglected to address the high places where sacrifices and worship of other gods took place. He didn’t lead his people in the way he needed to. Significantly, most of his accomplishments weren’t worth mentioning.

He was afflicted with leprosy and separated from his family until he rested with his fathers in the end. He probably had a big state funeral. All he did that was written in the book of annals of the kings of Judah were probably recounted at his passing. By the standards of the world, Azariah was a big deal. But in our lesson, he was, well, not so much.

And in this short chapter alone, we read the same statement about two more kings of Judah and three more kings of Israel.

So how do we apply this?

First, recognize that each of us – you and I and everyone we know – is a leader in some capacity. People look at us and what we do, what we say, how we act. We influence others. As Christians, we are called to love God and love our neighbors. We put on our WWJD bracelets and try to live into the example of Jesus in our daily lives. In 1 Peter 2:4-5, we read this:

“As you come to him, the living Stone – rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him – you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”

We are called members of a holy priesthood, which means we are to be more than consumers of Scripture, more than recipients of grace, more than Sunday worshipers. Those things are surely “right in the eyes of the Lord”. But we are called to do more. We are called to do the hard things, too. Such as boldly share the Gospel. Such as tell our story. Such as see the needs of the communities around us and leave our comfort zone and help, sometimes at great sacrifice, to help make more and better followers of Jesus Christ.

Second, recognize that we don’t have to do this on our own. We have the Holy Spirit to help us, if we will listen. We have the members of our church, our connect group, our Wesleyan Band group, our pastors, and others to help us learn more, stretch more, do more. We have God’s Word to help us, if we will open the Bible and actively search. We have the power of prayer – a first, last, always resource – at our constant disposal.

Third, recognize that we will not have all our deeds written in the earthly annals of great people. But they may be written on the hearts of others. They may be written in the legacy we help create. And they will be part of our ultimate performance review, where we hope to hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

Let’s pray. Almighty God, we strive to do what is right in your eyes. We know that under our own power, we will always fall short. Through your Holy Spirit, give us the awareness of the other things we are here to do for your Kingdom. Give us the wisdom to call upon the resources you give us to act once we are aware. Give us your eyes; give us your heart; give us your words; give us the spirit of sacrifice; and give us the knowledge that our hope is real, our purpose is clear, and our fate is secure in the hands of your grace. We pray this in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

P.S. Happy Independence Day. As we celebrate the birth of our nation, remember also that we are members of a greater nation, and that Jesus Christ is the true source of our freedom and our hope for all time. We’ll give Peter the last word: (1 Peter 2:9-10)

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.”

Paul Brooks