An Innocent Child Leader
I love seeing the innocence of a young child. They really only know what they’ve been taught. Many children learn volumes from their environment. They learn from their parents or caregivers. Their values are caught from observation more than what is being taught. For example, if a parent teaches them to tell the truth but then lies, the child will be more likely to become a liar. I’m not trying to be harsh or critical of parents but how I live speaks much longer and has much more substance than anything I could say. Words are cheap and easy – living out my faith is way more challenging.
After Ahaziah was killed, his wicked mother seized power and proceeded to kill anyone who would be an heir to the throne. That means she was killing her other sons and her grandsons because she wanted to rule the kingdom. One of her daughters took the one-year-old son of the late king and hid him with his nurse in the Temple. He remained hidden there for six years.
4 In the seventh year Jehoiada sent for the commanders of units of a hundred, the Carites and the guards and had them brought to him at the temple of the Lord. He made a covenant with them and put them under oath at the temple of the Lord. Then he showed them the king’s son.
12 Jehoiada brought out the king’s son and put the crown on him; he presented him with a copy of the covenant and proclaimed him king. They anointed him, and the people clapped their hands and shouted, ‘Long live the king!’ (2 Kings 11:4, 12 NIV)
I find it hard to imagine a 7-year-old king having much wisdom and discernment. He was obviously the product of his nurse and his mother investing into his life. I do know some 7-year-old boys that trust the Lord. I don’t think they would be elected president, but I do think that they would have some good ideas about cleaning up the elaborate political mess that our country finds itself in.
The Lord is really in charge of Joash becoming king. The Lord can use anyone He chooses at any time He chooses to lead on His behalf. One of the first things that was done when Joash became king was to clean up and clean out the Baal worship.
I was reminded about Jesus encounter with little children. His disciples didn’t think He had time for the children. He took them in His lap and blessed them. Check this out….
13 People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. 14 When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 15 Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.’ 16 And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them. (Mark 10:13-16 NIV)
Parents have a huge responsibility in the teaching and training of their children. As a parent, I have to start with me and it needs to be so much more than “lip service” to God. I need to trust Him with my heart. I need my behavior to flow from a heart that is committed to His Way and His Will for me.
Pressing On!
Dwayne