Be right

And he did what was right in the sight of the LORD, but not with a loyal heart. – 1 Chronicles 25v2

Amaziah became king of Judah when he was 25 years old and he reigned for 29 years. His introduction is pretty simple – he did what was right in the sight of the Lord, but not with a loyal heart.

Anybody can do the right thing. We see it all the time in churches and Christian schools for example. Some schools and churches pressure people to do right according to a while lis to of rules and regulations. And, as far as that goes, it works. We get them to behave in a way that makes them fit in and comply and if we are not careful we can think that everything is fine and they are sorted.

How many times have we heard the saying ‘do right’ or ‘do right till the stars fall.’ There is a children’s chorus that has the words ‘even though they laugh at me I will do what’s right.’

There is nothing really wrong with that if we understand the context. It is important to do what is right – but it is not enough.

As Amaziah’s life will show doing right eventually falls short. What is more important is that we be right and being right is based on having a right heart. Outside conformity is easy enough, but a real, genuine walk with God comes only from a right for, for out of it flow the real issues of life.

Be right till the stars fall.