Prayer: Father, I know my heart was toward You at a young age but, I cannot imagine being a king so young. Teach me from the life of Jehoash. Amen.
Reading: 2 Kings 12 key: vs. 1-4 “Jehoash was seven years old when he became king. Jehoash began his reign in the seventh year of Jehu and he reigned 40 years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Zibiah of Beer-sheba. Now Jehoash did what was right in Adonai’s eyes all his days, just as Jehoiada the kohen instructed him. The high places, however, were not taken away. The people were still sacrificing and burning incense on the high places.” TLV
Attention: When I was nine years old, I had a pastor share with me how to receive Yeshua into my heart. He used a dime to illustrate to me how to receive God’s gift of salvation. He asked me only one question, “If I was to offer you this dime, what would you have to do to receive it?” The obvious answer was, “I would need to reach out and make the exchange of receiving it.”
My first thought as I was reading today’s scripture was, “How would I feel about becoming a king at age seven?” I must admit, I would feel overwhelmed and incapable. However, notice who Jehoash was listening too, Jehoiada the kohen (priest). He was listening to the spiritual instruction of his day. Adonai was speaking to him through a priest.
I have received good instruction from select pastors, especially my first pastor who led me to Yeshua. Today’s story reminded me of a young Samuel, who received instruction from Eli. Samuel heard from Adonai at an early age, and he was devoted to Adonai all his life (1 Samuel 3). He served Adonai as a prophet and priest. He anointed the first kings of Israel. Samuel’s life demonstrates the value of establishing a youth’s relationship with Adonai, early in their life.
May we, as parents and people of faith, establish a spiritual foundation in our children at a young age.
Action: I choose to invest in my children and their children, a spiritual heritage.
Yield: I choose to invest in the spiritual formation of children.
Engage: I choose to engage in the spiritual formation of children.
Relationship: I choose to live in intimate relationship with Adonai.
Prayer: Father, may we see the benefit of early spiritual formation in the lives of our children and their children, and future generations. Spiritual formation is vital to our families, home, community, and nation. Amen.
Memory Verse: Proverbs 22:7 “Train up a child in the way he should go, when he is old he will not turn from it.”
Music Video: Listener Kids—The B-I-B-L-E https://youtu.be/ahHWtvOmt2E?si=FfAFixPFl4b8fu5Q
Remember, “Abide in Yeshua, today!”