A lot can happen in eight years. I moved back to Rochester in March 2000, just a few months before my Dad was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Dad died the day after Thanksgiving 2008. When I reflect on those eight years, I am amazed at how the Lord walked alongside me every step of the way – teaching me, testing me, molding me, loving me…being my perfect, heavenly Daddy, as I grieved losing my earthly one. I could write a book detailing those eight years.

Jehoram had the blessing of being King of Judah for eight years. I imagine he would have quite a few memories to share if he were writing his autobiography. But the author of 2 Kings sums up his reign with one phrase: “He did evil in the eyes of the Lord.” Apparently, the evil was so great that God had considered destroying Judah, because verse 19 says, “Nevertheless, for the sake of his servant David, the Lord was not willing to destroy Judah. He had promised to maintain a lamp for David and his descendants forever.” In the midst of a passage full of revolts, wars and evil, verse 19 is a bright spot reminding us of God’s character and ultimate authority.

We don’t know for certain what will happen in our lives during the next eight hours, let alone the next eight years. Thankfully, we can count on the promises and character of God to never change – which means that He will never leave us nor forsake us!

A fellow traveler,
Alison