2 Chron. 27-28
Jotham did right and the LORD blessed him, “but the people still followed corrupt practices.” (2 Chron 27:2b). Furthermore, his son, Ahaz, who reigned after him was corrupt and turned the people even more toward evil. Some of the good kings of Judah not only lived right before the LORD, but they influenced the people to do the same. Not so with Jotham. So though God blessed him and he became mighty, he lived an ineffective life. As king of Judah, his Godly influence should have been great, but it seems that it wasn’t.
Though we may not rule a kingdom, each of us has a sphere of influence, however big or small. I don’t want to do as Jotham did and settle for living right before the LORD. God did not put His light in me for me to hide under a bushel so that nobody can see it and benefit from it. Though I don’t consider myself any kind of leader or influencer or even much of a people person, for that matter, still I know that God calls me to love and encourage others toward Him in whatever way I can. He calls me to “let [my] light shine before others so that they may see [my] good works and give glory to [my] Father who is in heaven.” (Matt. 5:16).
Acts 19-1-20
What did Paul do when he faced resistance in the synagogue? He withdrew, taking both his message and those who believed it outside the synagogue. He knew that his job was to give the message to all who would hear. It was not his job to “make” people believe or to get sidetracked in arguing with those who refused to believe. Speak the truth. Leave the rest to God.
“Jesus I know, and Paul I recognize, but who are you?” (Acts 19:15b). So said the evil spirits to the sons of a Jewish high priest who thought they could use the name of Jesus like a magician’s spell. The spirits said they “recognized” Paul. They knew him because of his association with Jesus, whom they knew well. The spirits didn’t know the sons of Sceva because they had no association with Christ. That’s something like being introduced as “so-and-so’s” spouse or something of the sort. Sometimes we are identified by the people with whom we associate. Some may not like that and would rather be identified by their own names. But that didn’t work out so well for the sons of Sceva. And as for me, I would gladly set my pride aside to be identified by Jesus’ name, as one in close association with Christ.