2 Kings Chapter 15: Verses 17-18 (NIV)
In the thirty-ninth year of Azariah king of Judah, Menahem son of Gadi became king of Israel, and he reigned in Samaria ten years. He did evil in the eyes of the Lord. During his entire reign he did not turn away from the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, which he had caused Israel to commit.
2 Kings Chapter 15: Verses 32-34 (NIV)
In the second year of Pekah son of Remaliah king of Israel, Jotham son of Uzziah king of Judah began to reign. He was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem sixteen years. His mother’s name was Jerusha daughter of Zadok. He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, just as his father Uzziah had done.
In this chapter of 2 Kings, we read on five different occasions about different generations of Kings who “During his entire reign he did not turn away from the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, which he had caused Israel to commit” as opposed toJotham, who followed his father’s example when he became the king of Judah and did right in the eyes of the Lord. That got me wondering about the influence we exert on others. Jeroboam’s bad influence extended over sever generations. I have often recalled my Grandpa Murphy’s Godly influence on my life, and of others who have had that positive impact. What sort of influence are we having? I certainly wouldn’t want a poor example to be carrying down the generations after me. One of my favourite songs by Steve Green sums up what I hope my legacy will be.
“After all our hopes and dreams have come and gone
And our children sift through all we’ve left behind
May the clues that they discover and the memories they uncover
Become the light that leads them to the road we each must find.
Oh, may all who come behind us find us faithful
May the fire of our devotion light their way
May the footprints that we leave lead them to believe
And the lives we live inspire them to obey
Oh, may all who come behind us find us faithful
May the fire of our devotion light their way
May the footprints that we leave lead them to believe
And the lives we live inspire them to obey
Oh, may all who come behind us find us faithful.”
Dear Lord,
I pray that my influence on others might lead them to follow You, rather than ignore You, and bring glory to Your Name. I ask in Jesus’ Name. Amen.