Amaziah- the Danger of Half Hearted Witness

1Amaziah was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem twenty-nine years. His mother’s name was Jehoaddan; she was from Jerusalem. 2He did what was right in the eyes of theLord, but not wholeheartedly... 14When Amaziah returned from slaughtering the Edomites, he brought back the gods of the people of Seir. He set them up as his own gods, bowed down to them and burned sacrifices to them. 15The anger of the Lordburned against Amaziah, and he sent a prophet to him, who said, “Why do you consult this people’s gods, which could not save their own people from your hand?”

16While he was still speaking, the king said to him, “Have we appointed you an adviser to the king? Stop! Why be struck down?”

So the prophet stopped but said, “I know that God has determined to destroy you, because you have done this and have not listened to my counsel.” (2 Chronicles 25)

Thoughts; Amaziah wasn't all in.  He was half in.  He started out great, listening to the Lord, and even sacrificing his income in order to do what was right.  But when he had conquered the Edomites he took their gods as his own, bringing their idols back to Jerusalem.  A prophet confronted him, but he wouldn't listen to him this time.  He was tired, perhaps, of obeying God.  Instead of giving thanks to the Lord for helping him, Amaziah started worshiping the gods of the land that he conquered and refused to hear any rebuke.  If we go at faith half-heartedly, we will give up and tire of doing what is right.  But wholehearted devotion knows the blessing- and then the continues blessing of the Lord (like Jehoshaphat).  

Prayer: Lord, let me be fully devoted to you.