How can we ensure our leaders encourage faithfulness to God? Setting the Scene 2 Chronicles 24 recounts the reign of King Joash. While the priest Jehoiada lived, Joash honored the LORD. After Jehoiada’s death, however, “They abandoned the house of the LORD, the God of their fathers, and served Asherah poles and idols. And wrath came upon Judah and Jerusalem for their guilt.” (2 Chronicles 24:18). One shattered safeguard—the loss of godly influence—opened the door to national unfaithfulness. Core Warning from 2 Chronicles 24:18 • When spiritual leaders drift, the people soon follow. • Abandoning true worship invites God’s discipline. • A single verse exposes the cost of neglecting solid, lasting safeguards around those who hold authority. Why Leaders Drift • Isolation: Joash lost Jehoiada’s steady voice (Proverbs 11:14). • Flattery: “The officials of Judah came and bowed down to the king” (24:17)—praise without truth tempts compromise. • Forgetfulness: God’s past works faded from memory (Psalm 106:13). • Lack of personal engagement in the Word (Deuteronomy 17:18-20). How We Can Help Our Leaders Stay Faithful 1. Keep them immersed in Scripture • Supply, encourage, and celebrate regular Bible intake (Psalm 1:2-3). • Share resources, reading plans, and testimonies of obedience. 2. Provide godly counsel and accountability • Surround leaders with mature believers who will “speak the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15). • Maintain open lines for exhortation like Nathan with David (2 Samuel 12:7-9). 3. Pray persistently • “First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be offered for all people—for kings and all in authority” (1 Timothy 2:1-2). • Pray for wisdom, courage, and integrity amid pressure. 4. Model faithfulness ourselves • Hebrews 13:7: “Remember your leaders who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.” • Personal obedience reinforces the standard leaders are asked to uphold. 5. Honor righteous decisions, resist unrighteous ones • Applaud reforms that align with God’s Word (2 Chronicles 29:2). • Graciously but firmly refuse cooperation with directives opposed to Scripture (Acts 5:29). 6. Cultivate a culture of covenant renewal • Public reading of the Law in gatherings (Nehemiah 8:1-8). • Corporate worship that rehearses God’s character and commands. Anchoring Actions in Scripture • Deuteronomy 17:18-20—every king to write and read the Law daily: literacy in truth curbs pride and promotes obedience. • Psalm 78:5-7—fathers teach children so the next generation “would put their confidence in God.” • Proverbs 29:2—“When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people groan.” Encouraging Culture of Accountability • Establish elder boards, councils, or mentoring groups anchored in Titus 1:9—“holding firmly to the trustworthy word.” • Schedule regular evaluations of doctrine and practice against Scripture. • Invite prophetic voices—teachers, missionaries, seasoned saints—to speak without censorship. Living It Out Together Faithful leadership is never accidental. It grows where people cherish God’s Word, pray for those in authority, and uphold holy standards with courage and love. By practicing these steps, we guard our leaders from the tragedy of 2 Chronicles 24:18 and guide them—and ourselves—toward enduring faithfulness. |
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