That One Person

But after Jehoiada’s death, the leaders of Judah came and bowed before King Joash and persuaded him to listen to their advice. [2 Chronicles 24.17]

Who is that one person in your life who inspires and encourages you to be and do good? A parent? A wife? A sibling? A friend? A pastor? A teacher?

From Joash's story, it is evident that Jehoiada was that person in Joash's life.

Equally as important for us to evaluate and understand of our own lives is whether or not we are that person in someone else's life!

Let's look at some points to ponder from the verse above and the story up to that point.

Jehoiada was the one person who led out in protecting Joash. Jehoiada was the one person who instructed Joash in the things of God. Jehoiada was the one person who presented Joash as king.

Now, contrast the paragraph above with what the subject verse says about the other leaders: they came and bowed before King Joash and persuaded him to listen to their advice. Let me say this in a way that perhaps might shed some light: The leaders used their corporate influence (power in numbers) to pander to the kings' pride as they bowed before him for the express purpose of persuading him to abandon God.

No doubt, this element of people (the leaders) existed before Jehoiada died. However, once Jehoiada passed, it became obvious that he was that one person was in Joash's life who was key to his good standing before God and the people!

The sad part of this story is that Joash did not recognize Jehoiada's influence as that one person. How do we know? Because Joash murdered Jehoiada's son. Tragic!

What is the lesson to us? We should take inventory of our lives to see who that one person is! Likewise, we should concentrate on being that one person to someone else. It won't be easy especially if we understand there are multiple "leaders" in our lives who, after that one person is gone, will influence us away from all that is good and right.

Father, help me to take inventory of my life for that one person who most influence me to good and righteousness. Help me also strive to be that one person for others.