Hope for Tomorrow

Based on 2 Chronicles 22-24, Psalm 128

What we do today matters. Not only for us, but for our children. There are certain experiences which stick with us and help us shape and develop who we are (especially our experiences with God!). If we want our children to have hope for tomorrow, we need to start by giving them our best today!

Take Ahaziah for example. He became king over Judah, but he did not have a very productive reign...he did evil & wickedness, all because his mother was not a good example. Neither of them chose to trust in God:

"He also walked in the ways of the house of Ahab: for his mother was his counsellor to do wickedly. Wherefore he did evil in the sight of the Lord like the house of Ahab: for they were his counsellors after the death of his father to his destruction." 2 Chronicles 22:3‭-‬4.

Destruction was ahead of Ahaziah, his mother, and all the wicked counsellors. There was no hope for tomorrow. Their sin would only last a season. Their selfish idol worship did not fulfill them.

"And the destruction of Ahaziah was of God by coming to Joram: for when he was come, he went out with Jehoram against Jehu the son of Nimshi, whom the Lord had anointed to cut off the house of Ahab." 2 Chronicles 22:7.

We will be stopped in our tracks if we stop worshipping God! The best hope for our children's future is showing them how to love Jesus!! A better example of a better choice is with Jehoshabeath:

"But Jehoshabeath, the daughter of the king, took Joash the son of Ahaziah, and stole him from among the king's sons that were slain, and put him and his nurse in a bedchamber. So Jehoshabeath, the daughter of king Jehoram, the wife of Jehoiada the priest, (for she was the sister of Ahaziah,) hid him from Athaliah, so that she slew him not."
2 Chronicles 22:11.

When we see wickedness & destruction taking place all around us, it's our job to take our children out of it! It may be dangerous. It may be unpopular. But it's the only way they will be saved! Bring them with you into the Arms of Jesus, being baptized in Jesus' Name & filled with the Holy Ghost! Then you'll all be safe, saved & set free from destruction. You'll have hope for tomorrow!!

Although this boy Joash who was saved & became king lived for God a while, he too fell away. He forgot about his nurse who saved him from the very people he eventually became like. He forgot about Jehoiada the priest. It's a hard truth that someday, no matter how hard we try to be the best example, our children will have to choose for themselves to do good or bad, right or wrong, stay with God or go another way...but one thing never changes: we can always direct them to Jesus (The best example), and run to Him ourselves! Remember, the prodigal came back...

"The Lord shall bless thee out of Zion: and thou shalt see the good of Jerusalem all the days of thy life. Yea, thou shalt see thy children's children, and peace upon Israel."
Psalms 128:5‭-‬6.