You decide today to change your tomorrow.

This isn't a self-help mantra divorced from the divine, but a profound truth rooted in the choices we make in light of God's will. Our scriptural basis, 2 Kings 13:1-9, though a brief passage detailing the reign of Jehoahaz, king of Israel, carries a powerful message about the trajectory of our lives and the impact of our decisions.

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I. LIFE HAS TWO WAYS TO END: OUR WAY OR GOD'S WAY (vv. 8, 9).

The reign of Jehoahaz was marked by evil in the sight of the Lord. He followed the sinful ways of Jeroboam, leading Israel further astray. This short account, ending with his death and the succession of his son, illustrates a life lived according to human desires, a path that ultimately led to oppression and defeat. This starkly contrasts with a life surrendered to God's guidance.

a. Today's decisions determine our tomorrow (vv. 1, 2). The passage begins by stating that Jehoahaz reigned for seventeen years in Samaria, and he did evil in the sight of the Lord, following the sins of Jeroboam. His choices, made day after day, solidified the direction of his reign and the suffering of his people. Similarly, the decisions we make today, seemingly small or insignificant, are the building blocks of our future. Our habits, our attitudes, our priorities – these are the seeds we sow that will inevitably bear fruit in our tomorrows.

b. The decision to change is in our hands (vv. 2). The text emphasizes Jehoahaz following the sins of Jeroboam. This implies a choice, a conscious decision to continue down a destructive path. However, the power to choose differently also resides within us. We are not bound by the mistakes of the past or the negative patterns of our lives. By God's grace, we possess the agency to turn from what is wrong and embrace what is right. We can cut off a generation from a curse – not just our literal descendants, but the cycle of sin and brokenness that can perpetuate through our lives and influence those around us. The decision to break free starts with us, today.

c. The decision we make has consequences (vv. 2, 3). Because Jehoahaz persisted in his evil ways, the anger of the Lord burned against Israel, and He delivered them into the hand of Hazael king of Aram, and into the hand of Ben-hadad 1 his son, for a long time. This demonstrates the undeniable link between our choices and their consequences. Sin has a cost, not only for ourselves but often for those around us. Conversely, choosing righteousness and obedience brings blessings and opens the door for God's favor.

II. IF WE SURRENDER OUR LIFE TO GOD, IT CHANGES THE COURSE OF OUR HISTORY (v. 4).

Despite Jehoahaz's prolonged disobedience, verse 4 offers a glimmer of hope: "Then Jehoahaz sought the Lord’s favor, and the Lord heard him, for he saw the suffering of Israel—how severely the king of Aram was oppressing them." Even in the midst of a life lived contrary to God's will, a cry for help, a moment of surrender, can invite divine intervention.

a. God is faithful despite our unfaithfulness (vv. 4, 5). Jehoahaz's seeking of the Lord's favor came after years of rebellion. Yet, God, in His boundless mercy and compassion, heard his plea and provided a deliverer for Israel. This reveals a profound truth: God is faithful despite our unfaithfulness (2 Timothy 2:13). His love endures even when we stray. However, there is a crucial distinction to be made: there is a difference between "praying to God," which could be a mere routine, a superficial act, and "praying in God's presence," which is our total surrender to the Creator, acknowledging His sovereignty and our dependence on Him. It's not just about uttering words, but about a posture of the heart that yields to His will.

b. We must abandon our utilitarian attitude (v. 4, 6). Jehoahaz turned to God because of the dire circumstances, the oppression he and his people faced. His prayer seems to have been born out of necessity, a desire for relief from suffering. While God hears cries of desperation, our relationship with Him should not be merely utilitarian – seeking Him only when we are in trouble. A true surrender involves a genuine desire for God Himself, a longing for His presence and His will to be done in our lives, regardless of our immediate circumstances.

c. God has the power to put things back on track (v. 5 b). The Lord provided a deliverer, and the text notes, “So the Israelites lived in their tents as before” (v. 5b). This signifies a return to a semblance of normalcy, a restoration of their living conditions. God has the power to redeem lost time, to heal brokenness, and to set us back on the path He intended for us. Even when we have veered far off course, His grace can intervene and bring about restoration.

III. WE CANNOT CONTINUE A LIFE OF DEFEAT (v. 6).

Despite God's initial intervention, the passage continues by stating, "Nevertheless, the sins of the house of Jeroboam—the sins that he had caused Israel to commit—did not depart from Israel; but he walked in them. The Asherah pole also remained standing in Samaria." This reveals a tragic reality: even after experiencing God's help, Jehoahaz did not fully turn from his sinful ways. He continued a life that, while momentarily relieved, was ultimately characterized by spiritual defeat.

a. Either we live in the power of God (v. 5). The brief respite Israel experienced came directly from God's intervention in response to Jehoahaz's cry. Living in the power of God means relying on His strength, His wisdom, and His guidance in every aspect of our lives. It means aligning ourselves with His will and drawing upon His supernatural resources.

b. Or we live in the Egypt of slavery in the present without thinking about tomorrow (vv. 6-7). Jehoahaz's continued adherence to sin kept Israel in a state of vulnerability and oppression. They were living in a present defined by the consequences of past choices, seemingly without a vision for a better future. This is akin to living in the "Egypt of slavery" – bound by the chains of our own sin and the world's influence, focused only on the immediate struggles without considering the eternal implications of our choices.

c. There is a decision to be made today. The life of Jehoahaz serves as a cautionary tale. He experienced God's help, but his lack of complete surrender prevented lasting transformation. We stand at a similar crossroads. We can continue down paths of disobedience, accepting a life of spiritual defeat, or we can make a conscious decision today to change our tomorrow. We can choose to fully surrender our lives to God, allowing His power to work in us and through us, leading us towards a future filled with His peace and purpose.

Conclusion:

Brothers and sisters, the message is clear: You decide today to change your tomorrow. The reign of Jehoahaz reminds us that our present choices have eternal consequences. We have the power, through God's grace, to break free from the patterns of sin and to turn towards a life of obedience and surrender.

A Christian who decides today to change their tomorrow recognizes the futility of living according to their own desires and embraces the transformative power of surrendering to God's will. This involves acknowledging our need for Him, turning away from sin, and actively seeking His guidance in every aspect of our lives.

When we make this conscious decision, when we choose to walk in God's ways rather than our own, we open ourselves up to His faithfulness, His healing, and His power to redirect the course of our history, both in this life and for eternity. Let us not delay. Let us make that decision today, so that our tomorrows may be filled with the blessings that come from a life fully surrendered to our loving God.

You decide today to change your tomorrow.