Devotional for April 21
April 21, 2008 by Dan
“…He (Jehoram) passed away, to no one’s regret, and was buried in the City of David…”
(II Chronicles 21:20-NIV).
Jehoram was the son of Jehoshaphat and the grandson of Asa. Both father and grandfather had been godly kings of Judah. Jehoram’s youth was filled with good example, and when his father died he was given the kingdom.
With a godly heritage and the kingdom in his hands by age 32, Jehoram was in an excellent position to become a great blessing to Judah. He became a terrible curse.
He trashed his heritage and scorned his opportunities. Because of a sinful sense of insecurity, his first recorded act as the king was to execute all of his brothers and some leading princes of Judah. When he made Ahab’s daughter his wife, he continued the downward plunge. He finally hit the bottom by promoting pagan religion in the high places and compelling his subjects to engage in immorality.
That’s when he received a letter from a prophet by the name of Elijah. It definitely was not an encouraging one. Jehoram would suffer the loss of possessions, wives, children, and his own health.
Two years later Elijah’s prophecy was fulfilled. The enemies of Judah had invaded the land and had carried off Jehoram’s possessions and family. He was stricken with a painful bowel disease and by the age of 40 he was dead. The Bible says that he died “to no one’s regret” (NIV).
Which brings me to my point. If we live our life and die “to no one’s regret” it will be a sure indication that we have much to regret about our life. If there are many people who regret and grieve our passing, we have probably lived a life that warrants few regrets.
What kind of life are you living? Will your family and other people have a reason to regret your passing? Today, tomorrow, and the day after, you’ll be settling that question.
