Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.1
God was faithful to David; he kept his covenant with him—known as the Davidic Covenant2, a promise from God to establish a descendant of David as the king of Israel. When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. I will be to him a father and he shall be to me a son. . . . my steadfast love will not depart from him, . . . And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever.’3
Amaziah was one of David’s descendants, in line with God’s promise. Amaziah was twenty-five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem. . . . And he did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, yet not with a whole heart.4 Hmm? Despite Amaziah doing right God was not pleased with a divided heart. The Lord looks on the heart.5 Consider David, ‘I have found in David the son of Jesse a man after my heart, who will do all my will.’6
Amaziah mustered 300,000 choice men fit for war. Yet hired 100,000 mighty men of valor from Israel. But a man of God came to him and said, “O king, do not let the army of Israel go with you, for the LORD is not with Israel, with all these Ephraimites. But go, act, be strong for the battle. Why should you suppose that God will cast you down before the enemy? For God has power to help or to cast down.”7 Amaziah took courage and won the battle against the Edomites. He brought the gods of the men of Seir and set them up as his gods and worshiped them, making offerings to them. Therefore the Lord was angry with Amaziah and sent him a prophet, who said to him, “Why have you sought the gods of a people who did not deliver their own people from your hand?” And Amaziah ordered him to stop. Thus, the prophet said, “I know that God has determined to destroy you, because you have done this and have not listened to my counsel.”8
How may we not fall into the same temptation particularly after a victory?
The Bible offers wise counsel. Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.9 Therefore, be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.10 For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.11 Look carefully then how you walk not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, . . . understand what the will of the Lord is.12 Submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.13
Notes:
1. Proverbs 4:23
2. 2 Samuel 7:1-29
3. 2 Samuel 7:12-16
4. 2 Chronicles 25:1-2
5. 1 Samuel 16:7
6. Acts 13:22
7. 2 Chronicles 25:5-8
8. 2 Chronicles 25:14-16
9. Colossians 2:6-7
10. Ephesians 5:1-2
11. Ephesians 5:8
12. Ephesians 5:15-17
13. Ephesians 5:21
