By Marvin Garrison

 Judges do not rule simply for their own pleasure or from their own opinion. They must be governed by law and guided by God. So it is that all must “consider carefully what you do” (2 Chronicles 19:6), for God is the ultimate judge of all. God’s call through this lesson is that each “serve faithfully and wholeheartedly in the fear of the Lord” (v. 9).

Fear Wholeheartedly

Jerry Rockhold is a twin. As a result of a medical mistake at birth, both she and her sister are blind. Rather than be bitter or demand that society take care of her, Jerry has earned three college degrees. More importantly, she has developed a heart and spirit that wholeheartedly revere and worship the Lord. Whether she is singing, teaching a Vacation Bible School class, sharing a Communion meditation, climbing a mountain, enjoying fellowship, or participating in the Lord’s Supper, Jerry does “it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him” (Colossians 3:17). The reverence with which she takes the bread and cup make it a blessing to serve her.

Her obvious love for her Lord is a testimony to the community and an encouragement to her church family to fear wholeheartedly and serve faithfully. It is also a reminder that wholehearted worship is our goal, both as a church and as individual believers.

Serve Faithfully 

Not only is our worship expressed in the honor, adoration, and worth we ascribe to God; worship is lived out in faithful service. The lasting impact of worship is ministry in the name of the Lord Jesus.

Jehoshaphat was one of Judah’s more godly kings who sought the Lord and obeyed his commands. It is apparent that this king realized that to rule successfully, he should serve the people faithfully. As the nation’s leader he called upon the judges and other representatives of the people to also serve faithfully. When a nation’s leaders and people together wholeheartedly worship and serve faithfully, God blesses that nation.

 Marvin Garrison has served 53 years in the ministry and is the preaching minister at First Christian Church, Laverne, Oklahoma. Marvin and his wife Vickie have one son and two grandchildren.