I think it took a long time for me to understand the power of obedience.  The laws of the land in their intent are always meant to protect us. Without laws, civil unrest would break out and anything would go.

While laws are put in place to keep things fair and in order, sometimes they are painful to follow.  

But when followed they can be powerful to help us be successful.

God’s laws are like that too.  Whether we like them or not, if we follow them, there is a reward for doing so.

King Jotham of Judah was a great example of that.  Jotham was the son of Uzziah, a king who had a very prosperous reign until pride and disobedience led to his downfall.  

But Jotham was different from his father.  The scripture says that Jotham did what was pleasing to the Lord and did everything his father Uzziah had done, except for the things that Uzziah did that did not please to the Lord.  

And in obeying God, Jotham had many great accomplishments.  He rebuilt the upper gate of Jerusalem, he built towns in the hill country of Judah, and constructed fortresses and towers in the wooded areas of Judah.  He went to war to against the Ammonites and conquered them. And in doing so he received an annual tribute of silver, wheat and barley to the treasury of Judah.  

I would say that is a fairly great accomplishment for the 16 year reign of King Jotham.  

The Bible so beautifully states that “King Jotham became powerful because he was careful to live in obedience to the Lord his God”.

How different could our lives be if we were careful to live in obedience to the Lord our God?  

With the God of the universe on our side, can you imagine what we could accomplish in our lifetime on this earth?  

If you’re not sure where to start, then do what my Pastor always says.  Go back and recall the last thing God asked you to do…and obey it. And from there on, just obey each thing He tells you to do.  I believe our obedience will allow us to accomplish much more than we could have ever done otherwise.

~ Vijoy