Steadfast Faith: Lessons from Joash and Belshazzar

From a young age, we are taught to declare the wondrous works of God, recognizing His righteousness and greatness. As we delve into the stories of II Chronicles chapters 24 through 26, we are reminded of the importance of steadfastness in our faith. The narrative of Joash, the young king of Judah, serves as a poignant lesson. Initially, Joash did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, guided by the priest Jehoiada. However, after Jehoiada's death, Joash turned away from God, leading to his downfall. This story underscores the danger of forsaking God and the consequences that follow.

The tale of Joash is a cautionary one, illustrating how easy it is to stray from righteousness when the guiding influences in our lives are removed. Joash's initial zeal for restoring the temple and worshiping God was commendable, but it was not sustained. When he turned to idolatry, God sent prophets to warn him, but he refused to listen, ultimately leading to his being forsaken by God. This narrative serves as a reminder that our past righteousness does not guarantee our future standing with God. It is our current relationship with Him that matters.

The story of Belshazzar, who desecrated the sacred vessels from the temple, further illustrates the theme of taking God's blessings for granted. Belshazzar's pride and disregard for the sacred led to his downfall, as God withdrew His protection. This serves as a reminder of the importance of humility and reverence for God in our lives.

In our own lives, we must be vigilant in maintaining our relationship with God. It is not enough to rely on past experiences or achievements. We must continually seek God and ensure that our faith is active and present. The call to seek the Lord while He may be found is urgent, as there is no guarantee of tomorrow. Today is the day of salvation, and we must respond to God's call with sincerity and commitment.

Key Takeaways

• 1. The story of Joash teaches us the importance of maintaining our faith and not relying solely on past righteousness. Our relationship with God must be active and present, as past achievements do not guarantee future standing with Him. [19:42]
• 2. Forsaking God leads to being forsaken by Him, as seen in the lives of Joash and Belshazzar. This serves as a warning to remain steadfast in our faith and not take God's blessings for granted. [20:22]
• 3. The narrative of Belshazzar highlights the dangers of pride and irreverence. We must approach God with humility and recognize the sacredness of His blessings in our lives. [12:59]
• 4. Our breath and life are gifts from God, and we must acknowledge His hand in our daily existence. Taking these blessings for granted can lead to a separation from God, as sin creates a barrier between us and Him. [14:18]
• 5. Today is the day of salvation, and we must respond to God's call with urgency. There is no guarantee of tomorrow, and we must ensure that our faith is active and present, seeking God while He may be found. [29:18]
  ** [29:18]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [02:24] - Opening Prayer
• [04:13] - Introduction to II Chronicles
• [05:09] - The Story of Joash
• [06:42] - Spiritual Decline Under Athaliah
• [07:21] - Joash's Early Righteousness
• [08:11] - Turning Away from God
• [09:26] - The Consequences of Forsaking God
• [10:37] - Belshazzar's Pride and Fall
• [12:59] - The Sacredness of Life
• [14:18] - God's Control Over Our Lives
• [17:30] - Joash's Downfall
• [19:42] - The Importance of Present Faith
• [22:09] - Jesus' Cry on the Cross
• [29:18] - The Urgency of Salvation
• [31:02] - Closing Prayer and Invitation

1. II Chronicles 24:20 - "The Spirit of God came upon Zechariah the son of Jehoiada the priest, who stood above the people and said unto them, 'Thus saith God, Why transgress ye the commandments of the Lord, that ye cannot prosper? Because ye have forsaken the Lord, he hath also forsaken you.'"
2. Daniel 5:1-4 - The story of Belshazzar's feast and the desecration of the sacred vessels.
3. Isaiah 55:6-7 - "Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon."

1. What actions did Joash take during the early years of his reign that were considered righteous? How did his behavior change after the death of Jehoiada? [07:21]
2. How did God respond to Joash's turning away from Him, and what were the consequences for Joash and the nation of Judah? [09:26]
3. What was the significance of Belshazzar using the sacred vessels from the temple during his feast, and what was the outcome of his actions? [10:37]
4. According to the sermon, what does the phrase "forsaken by God" imply, and why is it considered a dire situation? [09:26]

1. How does the story of Joash illustrate the importance of maintaining a personal and active relationship with God, rather than relying on past righteousness? [19:42]
2. In what ways does the narrative of Belshazzar serve as a warning against pride and irreverence towards God's blessings? [12:59]
3. How does the sermon explain the concept of God forsaking someone, and what are the spiritual implications of this for believers today? [20:22]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the urgency of seeking God and responding to His call? How does this relate to the idea of "today is the day of salvation"? [29:18]

1. Reflect on your current relationship with God. Are there areas where you might be relying on past experiences rather than maintaining an active faith today? How can you address this? [19:42]
2. Consider a time when you may have taken God's blessings for granted. What steps can you take to cultivate a heart of gratitude and reverence for God's gifts in your life? [12:59]
3. Have you ever experienced a period where you felt distant from God? What actions can you take to seek Him and restore that closeness? [20:22]
4. The sermon emphasizes the importance of humility. How can you practice humility in your daily interactions and decisions, especially when it comes to acknowledging God's role in your life? [12:59]
5. Think about the urgency of responding to God's call. Is there a specific area in your life where you feel God is calling you to act or change? What steps will you take this week to respond to that call? [29:18]
6. How can you ensure that your faith remains active and present, rather than becoming complacent or stagnant? What practical habits can you incorporate into your routine to support this? [19:42]
7. Reflect on the idea of being "forsaken by God." How does this concept motivate you to maintain a strong and consistent relationship with Him? [09:26]