Jehoram was thirty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem eight years. He passed away, to no one’s regret, and was buried in the City of David, but not in the tombs of the kings (2 Chronicles 21:20 NIV).
Jehoram was the first-born son of a good and godly king. His father’s name was Jehoshaphat. But in spite of having such a good father and a name and reputation to live up to; Jehoram proved to be a wicked king. He killed all his brothers and did evil things. And God raised up against him many enemies.
Prophet Elijah wrote to him declaring the end that God had determined for him. Yet he did not turn to God in repentance. And he died in great pain. When he passed away no one was sorrowful that he died. Such was his wickedness. He was not even buried in the tombs of the kings.
Let us think on our lives for a moment. We may not be as wicked as King Jehoram. Yet we have to analyze how people will feel when we die.
Will at least some people be sorrowful that we had died? Will they remember some kindness that we have shown them? Or will people not care that we died?
This is not to frighten you that these questions are asked now. But it is to make you more vigilant regarding how you live your lives on earth. In King Jehoram’s case, he had all the opportunity and power to prove himself a good king. But he wasted his godly heritage and made himself wicked. No one regretted his death.
Let us make sure by doing good that we will be missed by others when we die. For after death there remains no second chance to redeem a lost reputation.
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More Manna:
Delight Yourself in the LORD and He Will Give You the Desires of Your Heart!