A quick search of Amazon lists 240 book titles covering the life of Ronald Reagan. 240. And yet, the book of 2 Kings describes Judah’s and Israel’s kings in just a few paragraphs. Royalty are minimized to one of two dramatic sentences:

He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord” (2 Kings 12:2, 2 Kings 15:3, 2 Kings 15:34)

or

He did evil in the eyes of the Lord” (there are too many to list them all. Search for “evil in the eyes of the Lord” at www.biblegateway.com for all references).

This baffles me. Battles were won and lost. People were taken into exile. Laws were made. Treason and conspiracy lurked around every corner. Yet, what is it that 2 Kings tells us? Who obeyed God and who didn’t. Or should I say, lists the few who obeyed God and the many who didn’t.

Incredible.

Mind you, these are the Israelites. The chosen people whose ancestors were miraculously freed from slavery, walked across the dry Red Sea, and eventually entered the land that Almighty God promised them. As children, they sat on their parents’ laps and heard of God’s provision while they trekked through the desert. But as their children and grandchildren grew older, obedience to God was replaced with Baal worship and Asherah poles.

It’s easy to look at the Israelites and shake our heads. How could they drift so far after receiving so much? But then again, they aren’t so different, are they? How often has God intervened in my life and provided for me abundantly, only for my heart to doubt His ability just a few short months later?

Faithfulness to God. It’s not always easy. There are times we must take the path less traveled. Our hearts doubt. Colleagues try to divert us from Truth. We give God a vacation and claim full control of our lives.

Yes, faithfulness is hard. Fortunately, we aren’t expected to remain obedient on our own. God generously pours out His fruit in our lives, allowing our trust, obedience and yes, faithfulness, to grow ever-more.

For the fruit of the Spirit is . . . faithfulness.” Galatians 5:22

God, please pour your Spirit over me.