Jotham’s strength was rooted in his steady and determined life of obedience to God. (2 Chronicles 27:6, The Message)
We can all enjoy golf. We don’t even have to be very good at it.
Golf’s accessible nature allows for time outdoors, interaction with friends, and enough accidental “wows!” mixed in with the difficulty of the game that plenty of folks call it their favorite pastime without ever aspiring to be a great player.
Part of this is because nearly all golfers realize what it takes to become a great player: work. Yes, there’s an oxymoron in there somewhere, alongside the truth that most of us just don’t have the time it would take to improve significantly. And some who do have the time don’t have the desire to push that hard.
Life in Christ can present us with a similar scenario. We can take it in its plain “I’ve been saved” simplicity and call it a day. There is much to be appreciated about the grace of God. It forgives us, frees us, and sustains us. It suffices, Paul found, for all things.
But there is room for so much more, should we possess the will to pursue it.
Obedience is the “range time” of the Christian walk. It is not glamorous.Judah had its many kings. Many were known for the good things they did, in the direction of God and the direction of the people. These were true shepherd-kings, in the lineage of David. Others, however, were agents of wickedness, worshiping other gods, as well as practicing the promiscuity that comprised that worship. They abandoned the Lord and brought destruction upon the armies and the people because of their abandonment.
In the midst of that seesaw succession, we find the short account of Jotham, a man who took the throne at the age of 25 and ruled for 16 years. While the history is slim—just nine verses—we find in the middle of it a secret for us all: Advancement emerges from obedience.
Obedience, you see, is the “range time” of the Christian walk. It is not glamorous. It requires a combination of humility—“I have such a long way to go”—and dedication—“I’ll keep working at this even though all around me are kicking back in the shade.” But what springs from standing firm in the statutes of God, applying them in every hour, is all gain.
“Jotham’s strength was rooted” there, Eugene Peterson set down in his paraphrase. “Jotham grew powerful,” the NIV renders it; “Jotham became mighty,” says the NASB. It’s all the same idea. Jotham’s regality was born from his integrity.
Jesus has made a way of salvation for you. Likely, you have believed in your heart and confessed with your lips that he is Lord, that you may indeed be saved. But there is so much more to it if you want it. There is wonder and wisdom and strength and stability—all when we make an intentional habit of walking in line with his unmatched instruction.
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Jeff Hopper
Originally published May 26, 2011
Copyright 2011 Links Players International
The Links Daily Devotional appears Monday-Friday at www.linksplayers.com.
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