Jehoshaphat was a godly king who worked hard to ensure that the people of Judah and Benjamin worshipped Yahweh and none other. His children were brought up to fear God and were witness to God’s goodness and protection. It is strange then that Jehoshaphat’s son Jehoram should go headlong into idolatry and murder as he did. Of course, there is no guarantee that children will follow the faith of their parents (1 Samuel 8:3), but there is a clue here to what may have led Jehoram astray. He married a daughter of Ahab and Jezebel. The evil of the northern kingdom had now leaked into the south. It might seem strange that such a godly legacy could be overcome by the bad influence of one person. But it goes to show how powerfully influential we are as individuals and the kind of impact, for better or for worse, that we can have on people’s lives. We often grossly underestimate the effect we can have on others. Our words and example, however, can change the course of the lives of others, particularly those close to us. This is why it is so important to live intentionally to bless and encourage others. You carry enormous influence, so be very careful about how you wield it. If you lack intentionality and care with respect to your influence you may do damage rather than good. It is like driving a car on a busy road with your eyes closed. Be a positive influence today.
Reflect on how you influence those around you.
Read 2 Chronicles 21
