I enjoy baseball and I follow my local club, the Colorado Rockies. One challenge of being a Rockies fan involves losing. The Rockies are a perennial last-place team. But I enjoy rooting for the home team, regardless of their less than stellar record. If choosing a team to win the World Series, no one would opt for the Rockies. Why pick a loser when the Dodgers are available?

Amaziah picked a loser. After a magnificent victory over the Edomites, aided by the Lord, Amaziah rescued their idols and images. The Scriptures say that he set them up as his gods and worshiped them, making offerings to them. Incensed, the Lord sent a prophet to Amaziah with these words: Why have you sought the gods of a people who did not deliver their own people from your hand?

Amaziah slapped God in the face. How ludicrous to turn away from his deliverer to embrace carved stones and polished metal. Amaziah left for battle with an encouraging message from the Lord ringing in his ears. Then after his victory he falls on his knees before the demon gods of the losers. Seriously? Amaziah played the fool.

A king cannot flip God the bird in such a public fashion and expect no repercussions. The nation to their north invaded Judah, sacked Jerusalem and utterly embarrassed Amaziah. Shortly thereafter his own people put him to death.

There are lessons for me in the story of Amaziah. When challenges have been overcome and life is good, when it’s obvious the Lord’s blessings surround me, it’s tempting lean on my pride. Look what I’ve done! Instead of enjoying the Lord I turn to the shiny baubles of the world. But that’s foolish. The gods of this world are losers. So much better to follow the Lord, for in him is light and truth and life.

Keep the faith.

2 Chronicles 25

Photo by Alex Dukhanov