A Prayer for Restoration and Honoring the Lord's Treasures
“And Jehoash king of Judah took all the hallowed things that Jehoshaphat, and Jehoram, and Ahaziah, his fathers, kings of Judah, had dedicated, and his own hallowed things, and all the gold that was found in the treasures of the house of the LORD, and in the king’s house, and sent it to Hazael king of Syria: and he went away from Jerusalem.” — 2 Kings 12:18
O Gracious and Merciful God,
As I come before You today, I am reminded of the events that transpired during the reign of Jehoash, king of Judah, as recorded in 2 Kings 12:18 (KJV): "And Jehoash king of Judah took all the hallowed things that Jehoshaphat, and Jehoram, and Ahaziah, his fathers, kings of Judah, had dedicated, and his own hallowed things, and all the gold that was found in the treasures of the house of the LORD, and in the king's house, and sent it to Hazael king of Syria: and he went away from Jerusalem."
Lord, I pray that You help us to reflect deeply on this passage, allowing it to penetrate our hearts. Jehoash, in his desperation, turned to worldly kings and misplaced trust in material wealth to fend off danger. We recognize, Father, that he took precious items meant for Your service and glory, and offered them to foreign kings in hopes of protection.
We are just like Jehoash, at times seeking quick fixes and tangible solutions to our problems rather than leaning on You—the source of our strength and the sovereign protector of our souls. I ask for forgiveness for the times in my life when I have looked to the world for answers instead of turning to You in prayer and faith.
Lord, help us understand that the treasures dedicated to You—the gifts, offerings, and our service—are sacred and to be treated with reverence. Teach us the importance of keeping our hearts and our possessions aligned with Your will. Instill in us a desire to honor You with our first fruits, not to be swayed by fear or the pressures of our circumstances.
I ask that You become the foundation of our security and not the fleeting treasures of this world. In our daily lives, may we prioritize the things that honor You—our time, our talents, our resources. Remind us that these are not ours to squander but are given to us to be used for Your glory and the advancement of Your kingdom.
As we reflect on the actions of Jehoash, let it serve as a stern warning against the pursuits of superficial alliances and temporary security. Help us to remember that true safety lies in our relationship with You and that we must not sacrifice what is holy to appease our fears or our desires.
Father, as we acknowledge the content of our hearts and the offerings we dedicate to You, help us realize that the treasures we possess are better utilized in service to Your causes. We pray for grace to be generous, compassionate, and willing to invest in the spiritual growth and welfare of others.
May we not be tempted to send our blessings away to just anyone, thinking they will provide us stability, while neglecting the true source of our power and peace. Let us not be like Jehoash, who by seeking to preserve his kingdom ultimately compromised the sanctity of Your treasures.
Lord, as we hold this story dear, may we keep our eyes fixed on You, our Comforter and Provider. Teach us to trust in Your plans and purposes, knowing that Your ways are higher than ours. May we walk in integrity, dedicating our lives as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to You.
In Your holy name, we pray, that we may always prioritize our relationship with You over the treasures of this earth. May we commit to honoring You above all else, forever mindful of the sacredness of the things You have entrusted to us.
Amen.
Get our apps
Artwork for 2 Kings 12:18
2 Kings 12:18 - "And Jehoash king of Judah took all the hallowed things that Jehoshaphat, and Jehoram, and Ahaziah, his fathers, kings of Judah, had dedicated, and his own hallowed things, and all the gold that was found in the treasures of the house of the LORD, and in the king's house, and sent it to Hazael king of Syria: and he went away from Jerusalem."
"And Jehoash king of Judah took all the hallowed things that Jehoshaphat, and Jehoram, and Ahaziah, his fathers, kings of Judah, had dedicated, and his own hallowed things, and all the gold that was found in the treasures of the house of the LORD, and in the king's house, and sent it to Hazael king of Syria: and he went away from Jerusalem." - 2 Kings 12:18
2 Kings 18:12 - "Because they obeyed not the voice of the LORD their God, but transgressed his covenant, and all that Moses the servant of the LORD commanded, and would not hear them, nor do them."
Job 12:18 - "He looseth the bond of kings, and girdeth their loins with a girdle."
2 Kings 14:18 - "And the rest of the acts of Amaziah, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?"
2 Kings 1:18 - "Now the rest of the acts of Ahaziah which he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?"
2 Kings 12:19 - "¶ And the rest of the acts of Joash, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?"
"He looseth the bond of kings, and girdeth their loins with a girdle." - Job 12:18
1 Kings 2:18 - "And Bath-sheba said, Well; I will speak for thee unto the king."
2 Kings 8:18 - "And he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, as did the house of Ahab: for the daughter of Ahab was his wife: and he did evil in the sight of the LORD."
2 Kings 18:18 - "And when they had called to the king, there came out to them Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, which was over the household, and Shebna the scribe, and Joah the son of Asaph the recorder."
2 Kings 12:14 - "But they gave that to the workmen, and repaired therewith the house of the LORD."
1 Kings 18:2 - "And Elijah went to shew himself unto Ahab. And there was a sore famine in Samaria."
2 Kings 18:15 - "And Hezekiah gave him all the silver that was found in the house of the LORD, and in the treasures of the king's house."
2 Kings 18:36 - "But the people held their peace, and answered him not a word: for the king's commandment was, saying, Answer him not."
2 Kings 25:12 - "But the captain of the guard left of the poor of the land to be vinedressers and husbandmen."
"And the rest of the acts of Amaziah, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?" - 2 Kings 14:18
2 Kings 3:18 - "And this is but a light thing in the sight of the LORD: he will deliver the Moabites also into your hand."
2 Kings 18:33 - "Hath any of the gods of the nations delivered at all his land out of the hand of the king of Assyria?"
2 Kings 12:16 - "The trespass money and sin money was not brought into the house of the LORD: it was the priests'."
2 Kings 18:5 - "He trusted in the LORD God of Israel; so that after him was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor any that were before him."
2 Kings 12:12 - "And to masons, and hewers of stone, and to buy timber and hewed stone to repair the breaches of the house of the LORD, and for all that was laid out for the house to repair it."
2 Kings 16:18 - "And the covert for the sabbath that they had built in the house, and the king's entry without, turned he from the house of the LORD for the king of Assyria."
2 Kings 4:18 - "¶ And when the child was grown, it fell on a day, that he went out to his father to the reapers."
2 Kings 2:18 - "And when they came again to him, (for he tarried at Jericho,) he said unto them, Did I not say unto you, Go not?"
2 Kings 12:2 - "And Jehoash did that which was right in the sight of the LORD all his days wherein Jehoiada the priest instructed him."
2 Kings 10:12 - "¶ And he arose and departed, and came to Samaria. And as he was at the shearing house in the way,"
2 Kings 13:12 - "And the rest of the acts of Joash, and all that he did, and his might wherewith he fought against Amaziah king of Judah, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?"
2 Kings 14:12 - "And Judah was put to the worse before Israel; and they fled every man to their tents."
2 Kings 12:6 - "But it was so, that in the three and twentieth year of king Jehoash the priests had not repaired the breaches of the house."