Reading: 2 Kings 12:3 “Nevertheless, the high places were not taken away; the people continued to sacrifice and make offerings on the high places.” Galatians 1:8 “But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed.” Devotional: Joash did many things right, but one phrase lingers: “Nevertheless, the high places were not taken away.” High places were spots where people offered sacrifices, often mixin

Reading: 2 Chronicles 24:24 “Though the army of the Syrians had come with few men, the Lord delivered into their hand a very great army, because Judah had forsaken the Lord, the God of their fathers.” Devotional: When things were going well—temple being repaired, money coming in, people rejoicing—Joash looked like a solid spiritual leader. But once pressure hit, once enemies advanced, and once he was wounded and threatened, his choices exposed what he really valued. Instead

Reading: Romans 14:12 “So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.” Devotional: Joash’s story is soaked in spiritual influence. He’s hidden in the temple by a courageous aunt, discipled by a godly priest, and protected and guided by a whole network of faithful people. Yet, when those spiritual supports shift, his real foundation shows. He listens to new voices—the princes of Judah—abandons God’s house, and turns to idols. Social pressure once helped prop him up

Reading: Jeremiah 17:5 “Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the Lord.” Devotional: Joash’s story forces an uncomfortable question: What is my faith actually built on? For years, Joash looked solid. He grew up in the temple, was mentored by a godly priest, helped restore God’s house, and led the nation toward worship. From the outside, his life screamed “faithful.” But the moment Jehoiada died, Joash collapsed spiritu

Reading: John 20:1-8 “Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.” So Peter went out with the other disciple, and they were going toward the tomb. Both of them were running toget