Have you ever read the Old Testament like it was an epic story? As I read through these familiar stories this year, I’m trying to envision and imagine what it must really have been like. One that recently fascinated me was the story of Jehu. 2 Kings 9 and 10 recount this incredible story, beginning with his rather abrupt anointing as king. One of the prophets in Elisha’s school runs into Jehu’s house, pours the anointing oil on him, and proclaims that God has chosen him to be the king of Israel and that he will destroy the house of Ahab, then immediately runs out again.
So, Jehu (who at the time, is a military commander under King Joram) gathers up his friends and plans an insurrection. They make up an army and head straight to Jezreel, where the king is recovering from a battle wound. They’re seen from a distance, and the king keeps sending messengers to find out if he’s coming peaceably, but they all end up joining Jehu (who apparently is known for his furious driving — 2 Kings 10:20). The king isn’t expecting any treachery, and goes out to meet him. Jehu pointedly asks him how there can be any peace when idolatry is allowed in the land (2 Kings 10:22).
Can you see this? Here’s a military man, enthusiastically and determinately pursuing what God has told him to do. His entire life’s mission changes the minute he gets the word from God. For the next few days or weeks or however long it took, he hunts down and eliminates Ahab’s household. Then, he gathers all of the Baal worshippers together in one place and destroys them too. And at the end of it all, God tells him that he has “done well in executing that which is right in mine eyes, and hast done unto the house of Ahab according to all that was in mine heart” (2 Kings 10:30). Pretty impressive, that this man did everything that was in God’s own heart.
I wonder, though, how much he actually loved God, because in the very next verse it says that he “took no heed to walk in the Law of the LORD God of Israel with all his heart: for he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam, which made Israel to sin.” I don’t know about you, but suddenly he doesn’t seem so impressive. Ahab and Baal worship were eliminated, but Jehu stopped short of bringing Israel back to God.
A lot of us are probably like Jehu. We battle all the really bad things in our lives — the things that are clearly wrong, that are obviously idolatrous and wicked. But when it comes to the things that aren’t necessarily “bad,” we “take no heed” to follow God. We have our preferences for how to “be a Christian,” not really giving God a chance to reveal the way He wants us to worship Him.
It’s a little different for us than Israel. We don’t worship God by bringing an unblemished lamb and slaughtering it on an altar. No, God is a Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth (John 4:24). Worshipping God isn’t really about changing your clothes or your music or your behavior, though He may lead you to change some of those things the more you get to know Him. It’s about how you communicate with Him, how you listen, and how you respond.
Your walk with God begins in your spirit, and it’s totally up to you. External manifestations are helpful for others to see, but God looks on the heart (1 Sam. 16:7). Do you ever talk to God as your Best Friend and Guide, or do you more frequently act as though He doesn’t exist? Do you listen to that quiet prompting of the Spirit, or do you try to ignore Him? Do you obey immediately when He gives you a command, or do you make excuses about how you can’t follow through?
Your walk with God is either “in truth” or it’s not. Either you’re sincere or you’re not. There’s no middle ground, no “maybe’s” or “later’s” involved. You’re only hurting yourself when you live a hypocritical life, trying to ride the fence between “Christian” and “rebel.” There isn’t some kind of magical in-between life. You’re either for God or you’re against Him.
Choose who you’re going to serve, and like Jehu, be enthusiastic about it. Throw yourself into the life God has created for you, and draw others to follow God with you. But unlike Jehu, follow with your whole heart. Don’t stop short of full victory in your life. There is an incredible peace that comes when you are 100% on God’s side.
Victoria White is a graduate of Baptist College of Ministry and a member of Falls Baptist Church in Menomonee Falls, WI. She has a burden for young people to understand the Bible and to live for God in this world. She has 6 siblings and lives in Germantown, WI.
