Abi raised a godly son who turned the tide.

Tuesday 7-20-2016   Home in Modesto

Scripture Reading:  2 Chron 29 - 31   James 4

S=Scripture  O=Observation  A=Application  P=Prayer  SOAP for the soul.

S.  2 Chron 29:1-2  Hezekiah became king when he was twenty-five years old, and he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Abijah* the daughter of Zechariah. And he did what was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father David had done.

Vs 10-11 "Now it is in my heart to make a covenant with the LORD God of Israel, that His fierce wrath may turn away from us. My sons, do not be negligent now, for the LORD has chosen you to stand before Him, to serve Him, and that you should minister to Him and burn incense."

2 Chron 31:20-21  Thus Hezekiah did throughout all Judah, and he did what was good and right and true before the LORD his God.  And in every work that he began in the service of the house of God, in the law and in the commandment, to seek his God, he did it with all his heart. So he prospered. NKJV

O.  One, two, three:  1. Hezekiah becomes king and his mother Abi* is named.  2. He calls together the leadership and declares what he has in his heart to accomplish.  3. He succeeded in his plan and so he and all his people were prospered. 

How important is a mother?  In many cases a new king is mentioned in biblical text along with his mother’s name.  In most cases they were mothers that served idols and taught their false religions to their children.  These are followed with stories of horrible wars... endless terrifying bloodshed of babies, children, even pregnant women being ripped open to die, and much more.  How refreshing to read the story of Hezekiah, son of a godly mother... who determines in his heart to change this downhill rampage! 

A.  I was fortunate to have a godly mother.  She poured her life into mentoring her five children.  I owe my faith in God mostly to her.  Her passion to follow Christ and to save the lost was contagious.

P.  Lord, sometimes we forget the importance of the spiritual heritage we are leaving behind in our children.  We concern ourselves with providing them with food, clothing and education... and too often allow them to stumble and fall for a lack of serious, intentional biblical mentoring.  Lord, please allow me today to encourage mothers and fathers to begin early... with their little toddlers and young children to purposely saturate their little lives with godly instruction and example.  Amen.

Ralph

*“Abijah” is called “Abi” in 2 Kings 18.  The “Jah” is often a reference to Jehovah.  Her name may contain a clue to her godliness.