Today’s devotion comes from 1 Kings 22:41-53. Here is a link to this Scripture – 1 Kings 22 NASB1995 – – Bible Gateway
I quote only the following verses.
“Now Jehoshaphat the son of Asa became king over Judah in the fourth year of Ahab king of Israel. Jehoshaphat was thirty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned twenty-five years in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name was Azubah the daughter of Shilhi. He walked in all the way of Asa his father; he did not turn aside from it, doing right in the sight of the LORD. However, the high places were not taken away; the people still sacrificed and burnt incense on the high places. Jehoshaphat also made peace with the king of Israel.
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Ahaziah the son of Ahab became king over Israel in Samaria in the seventeenth year of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, and he reigned two years over Israel. He did evil in the sight of the LORD and walked in the way of his father and in the way of his mother and in the way of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who caused Israel to sin. So he served Baal and worshiped him and provoked the LORD God of Israel to anger, according to all that his father had done.” 1 Kings 22:41-44 and 51-53.
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As we see from today’s Scripture that especially a father and mother, but also others, can have an important influence on their children for good or bad.
Regarding receiving a good influence from his father, we notice Jehoshaphat. “He walked in all the way of Asa his father; he did not turn aside from it, doing right in the sight of the LORD. …” Verse 43.
Regarding receiving a bad influence from his father, his mother, and another, we notice Ahaziah the son of Ahab. “He did evil in the sight of the LORD and walked in the way of his father and in the way of his mother and in the way of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who caused Israel to sin.” Verse 52.
Certain Jews claimed that Abraham was their father and that God was their Heavenly Father. But, notice Jesus’ reply to them in the following Scripture.
“They answered and said to Him, “Abraham is our father.” Jesus *said to them, “If you are Abraham’s children, do the deeds of Abraham. But as it is, you are seeking to kill Me, a man who has told you the truth, which I heard from God; this Abraham did not do. You are doing the deeds of your father.” They said to Him, “We were not born of fornication; we have one Father: God.” Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and have come from God, for I have not even come on My own initiative, but He sent Me. Why do you not understand what I am saying? It is because you cannot hear My word. You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” John 8:39-44.
Likewise, today, it is easy for people to claim that God is their Heavenly Father. But, just because they claim that God is their Heavenly Father does not necessitate that God is their Heavenly Father.
“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.” John 1:12-13.
And, for those who are “born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God”, and are indeed children of God, there is hope!
How much more good our Heavenly Father does for us, His children!
“Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Matthew 5:48.
“But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, so that, just as it is written, “LET HIM WHO BOASTS, BOAST IN THE LORD.” 1 Corinthians 1:30-31.
“For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified.” Hebrews 10:14.
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 