Thursday, June 30th- No Half Done

Jehu, Israel’s colorful king during a time of rampant idolatry was determined to rid his nation of Baal worship. This hideous form of paganism involved gross sensualism, moral degradation, and human sacrifice. Because Jehu successfully rooted out all Baal worship from the land, God told him that his descendants would occupy Israel’s throne for four generations (2 Kings 10:30).

But God was not fully pleased with Jehu. First, the king did not completely obey the Lord. He still permitted the idolatrous worship of the golden calves in Bethel and Dan (2 Kings 10:29). Second, the Lord was displeased with Jehu’s inexcusable cruelty and treachery (2 Kings 10:1-17). Years later, God declared through the prophet Hosea that He would “avenge the bloodshed of Jezreel on the house of Jehu” and bring an end to the northern kingdom of Israel (Hosea 1:4).

A war is raging between the Lord’s army and the organized hosts of Satan (Ephesians 6:12). We are called to do spiritual battle on God’s side. By all means, answer God’s call to fight for truth and justice. But do so in ways that please the Lord and bring honor to Him. Don’t be like Jehu, who fought the right war but in the wrong way. God wants more than good results; He wants children who love Him.

Friends, partial obedience is absolute disobedience; you either obey or you don’t obey, there is no middle way with God. You are either cold or hot He does not tolerate lukewarmness.