2 Chronicles 10-12, John 11:30-57 Key Verses: 2 Chronicles 11:16, 12:1

Restaurant menus sometimes include a “soup du jour.” A little French makes the soup prepared for that day sound like something extra special. It is special in that it was made for that day, but that is the extent of its distinctiveness. Adding the French words for “of the day” make it sound nice, but it is still only temporary.

That is fine with soup but not with commitment. We too often live as if it is sufficient to have commitment du jour, the amount needed or wanted for today, when what is needed is commitment for life.

In the Bible we find repeated examples of commitment du jour. When Rehoboam became king, he immediately fortified Judah. The priests and Levites rallied to him and they were followed by “those from every tribe of Israel who set their hearts on seeking the Lord”

(v. 16). For three years they “s trengthened the kingdom of Judah and supported Rehoboam, . . . walking in the ways of David and Solomon during this time” (v. 17).

But the next chapter presents a different picture. “After Rehoboam’s position as king was established and he had become strong, he and all Israel with, him abandoned the law of the Lord” (12:1). The crisis passed and commitment waned—a sad pattern that continues even today.

Make sure that the commitments you make are ones that last.

_“God, help me strengthen my commitments. May I not waver but continue to be steadfast in my Christian life ”._

Woodrow Kroll & Tony Beckett
www.backtothebible.in