The Pilgrim Path---Second Chronicles 27: 1—9

Jotham was twenty-five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Jerushah the daughter of Zadok. And he did what was right in the eyes of the LORD according to all that his father Uzziah had done, except he did not enter the temple of the LORD. But the people still followed corrupt practices. He built the upper gate of the house of the LORD and did much building on the wall of Ophel. Moreover, he built cities in the hill country of Judah, and forts and towers on the wooded hills. He fought with the king of the Ammonites and prevailed against them. And the Ammonites gave him that year 100 talents of silver, and 10,000 cors of wheat and 10,000 of barley. The Ammonites paid him the same amount in the second and the third years. So Jotham became mighty, because he ordered his ways before the LORD his God. Now the rest of the acts of Jotham, and all his wars and his ways, behold, they are written in the Book of the Kings of Israel and Judah. He was twenty-five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. And Jotham slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the city of David, and Ahaz his son reigned in his place.

HE ORDERED HIS WAYS BEFORE THE LORD…

Jotham became a formidable ruler in the Southern Kingdom. He followed his father Uzziah, except he did not duplicate his dad’s arrogance in attempting to usurp the priestly function at the altar of incense (II Chronicles 26: 16). Jotham’s dad (King Uzziah), seemed to think he knew everything---about everything (his pride was his ultimate downfall). The LORD smote Uzziah with leprosy because he would not walk the path of obedience. He found it hard to listen to nearly anyone.

Imagine being real royalty---then consigned to quarantine for the rest of your reign because of leprosy. That is what happened to Uzziah. His pride pulverized him in the end. His son Jotham figured: I better not act like my father. I should yield to the LORD in all things. I will simply live as though He is always watching. As John Calvin used to say, “He is always watching.”

The LORD Jesus Christ “is” our righteousness by grace through faith. Yet, it is a glorious and sober thing to remember---all of life is lived before the LORD. This was a hallmark of our protestant forbearers’---the expression, CORAM DEO. Live life as before, “the face of God.” The Spirit of God got a hold of King Jotham and he decided to, “order his ways before the LORD his God” (II Chronicles 27: 6). King Jotham chose the path of brokenness, devotion, and humility before the LORD. He chose the best path. Notice---he chose this, even though many of his people, “still followed corrupt practices” (II Chronicles 27: 2). There are not many leaders like this--- in this ole world…God Help Us All…

From Enoch Hall: “God-wardness is the continuous shaping of our thoughts and deeds as under the immediate inspection of God. Let God be first in every consideration, consulted in every transaction, recognized, and deferred to on all occasions and under all circumstances.

An empire’s strength does not depend upon:

---1---riches / Ancient Tyre was rich

---2---political ability / Sparta was astute

---3---learning / Greece so learned

---4---legions / Rome ---could any compare?

The true strength of the soul’s empire---the Empire of self---is The GOD of Creation & Salvation----man is helpless without HIM…”Jotham became mighty because he prepared his ways before the LORD.”

From Rev. Philip Doddridge: A Prayer, “Breathing in Grace”---

Ever-blessed fountain of natural and spiritual life! I thank you that I live, and that I may live a faith-filled life.

I bless you that you breathe into me your own living breath.

Though I was once dead in my sins, now I have become a living soul, in a sense that is unique to your own children.

But I do not just want to live. I want to grow in grace, and in the knowledge of my LORD and Savior Jesus Christ (II Peter 3: 18).

So, I beg you to form my mind in the image of faith. Do not let me misunderstand grace, measuring my growth in grace by a natural yardstick.

Let me experience your love even more, unreserved resignation to your wise and holy will, and a greater care for others.

Strengthen my soul as you help me grow in patience, in humility and zeal, and in a heavenly attitude. Give me a concern to be accepted by you (II Corinthians 5: 9).

Whether I live or die, let everything I do be for your glory.

I ask and hope this through our LORD and Savior Jesus Christ---to whom be glory, both now and forever. Amen.

Grace and Peace in Jesus Christ Our Risen LORD, Pastor Jason