A life well lived is lived well to the end

2 Chronicles adds more information to the history of Jewish leadership recorded in 1st and 2nd Kings. Taking a sweep of Old Testament history it could be summarized like this:  Israel = BAD kings; Judah = GOOD kings. Though rare, there were exceptions in both lands and after a dearth of godly leadership Hezekiah, the unlikely good son of the really crappy king--Ahaz--is coronated and he does it right.  

What makes Hezekiah stand out from the other kings, some of whom did some really good things, is that he not only did good things, but he also didn't do some bad things.  Hezekiah's epitaph could have read, "He did things right AND he didn't do things wrong."  That caught God's attention.

How many Christians leaders have done a lot of good things, even some great things in their lives but ended up being revealed for having a "seamy" side to their otherwise stellar walk of faith? Just recently a college leader resigned from a renown Christian University for some shocking behaviors. The list of pastors through the ages who began well yet ended their "reign" in ignominious disgrace are manifold.  It's an all too common tale.  But Hezekiah started well and he ended well!

"Thus Hezekiah did throughout all Judah; and he did what was good, right and true before the LORD his God. Every work which he began in the service of the house of God in law and in commandment, seeking his God, he did with all his heart and prospered."

(2 Chronicles 31:20-21)

Centuries later Paul underscores the principle-- "Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve." (Colossians 3:23-24)

 

It matters not about what context we may be thinking.  The principle pertains to every aspect of one's life; public, private, and even, imagined. We tend to make the mistake of thinking that little things do not matter, those you can just get by, do the least that is required, but when it counts, exceed. That is not the counsel of Scripture.

Growing up my mom used to say to me, "I don't care if you're a garbage man when you grow up but if you're going to be a garbage man, be the best garbage man you can be." She didn't know she was giving me wise counsel from the wisdom of God but it paid off.