2 Kings Chapter 12: Verse 6 (NIV)
But by the twenty-third year of King Joash the priests still had not repaired the temple.
2 Kings Chapter 12: Verses 13-15 (NIV)
The money brought into the temple was not spent for making silver basins, wick trimmers, sprinkling bowls, trumpets or any other articles of gold or silver for the temple of the LORD; it was paid to the workers, who used it to repair the temple. They did not require an accounting from those to whom they gave the money to pay the workers, because they acted with complete honesty.
When Joash became king, he gave the priests a commission to repair the Temple, yet we read that twenty-three years later, it hadn’t even begun. We don’t know why they didn’t, and clearly Joash gave them every opportunity. Imagine what could have been done in that time. However, at least when the work was delegated to those equipped to do it, we read that it was done with great integrity and honesty, as it should have been. Perhaps the priests weren’t sure how to delegate the work and didn’t know how to do it themselves. They had already a specific calling. Perhaps they were reluctant to delegate. We don’t read that they sought God’s direction, yet God was gracious and the people who eventually carried out the work were a testimony to Him.
Sometimes we might be guilty of dragging our feet when God speaks, but we shouldn’t wait to do what He has asked, and certainly not twenty-three years. If we feel overwhelmed or unequipped for the job in hand, we can trust that God will make sure we are well equipped to do His bidding. He only asks that we are obedient. When we do as He has asked, we do so with integrity and to the best of our ability, so that the hand of God is evident to those who are watching what we do. It doesn’t have to be a front-line role either, but it does need to be done to the glory of God.
Dear Lord,
Help me to be quick to respond to Your bidding and determined to do it to the best of my ability for Your glory. I ask in Jesus’ Name. Amen.