“Then Jehoahaz sought the Lord’s favor, and the Lord listened to him,”
II Kings 13:4
As a dad, this verse isn’t all that surprising to me in one sense, yet in another, it blows my mind. Jehoahaz “did evil in the eyes of the LORD” (get use to seeing this!), in fact, the text says he did so much evil the LORD’S “anger burned against Israel (vs.3)” because of him! I have two boys, and they are precious, but there are times when they make me so mad I could spit. But all one needs to do is run to me, a volcano about to erupt, and hug my leg and say “I’m sorry daddy” and the Mt. Saint Helens in me become as peaceful as a lamb. “It’s ok” I say, “but don’t let it happen again.” I know they will, but here is where the devotional kicks in. Jehoahaz turned from God, so did every King before him, and yet, the Scripture says “Jehoahaz sought the LORD’s favor,” and get this, “the LORD listened to him!” I can understand as a dad when your kid messes up and seeks your favor to forgive them; it’s not terribly hard to do. But as time goes on and they keep doing the one thing they were not to do, my forgiveness gets less and less and it becomes harder and harder for me to really forgive. This is where I (and we) are so unlike God. His compassion knows no end and His mercies never fail! All Jehoahaz did was seek the LORD and he was given a fresh slate. God has grace for you today even if you’ve convinced yourself otherwise. “God will never forgive me; He won’t forget what I’ve done.” Less you think yourself better than God, I’d take Him at His word that He wants to forgive you and restore you to a place of honor. Israel did nothing with their fresh slate in chap 13, but what you do with yours is a story still in the making.