II Kings 14:3

"And he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, yet not like David his father: he did according to all things as Joash his father did."

It is the difference between whole heartedness and half heartedness. David loved the Lord with all his heart. Jehoash served the Lord half heartedly. And for some they would think that half is better than none. But in regards to the Lord God Almighty, He has required everything or nothing. So a halfhearted effort and service is all in vain. In REvelation 3, we have the word on this, "I would you were cold or hot, but since you are lukewarm I will spue you out of my mouth". And he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord - this first phrase of this verse is good enough, but when it is coupled with the next phrase, yet not like David his father, then we know that something is missing and lacking. The first part of the phrase is a blessed testimony, but not the clear statement of this man. All the kings that are called good, have the descirption in comparison to David. Either they were like David or they were not like David. Too many Christians are found in Christ, but they do not live like the Lord. They are labeled carnal Christians and worldly,this is such a dangerous place to be. 'For if the righteous scarecely be saved what shall the ungodly do.' It is taking a dangerous chance if the Lord will receive you or not. Take not hope in baptism, church membership or your personal prayer of salvation; for if your actions are not rooted in faith and obedience what does it matter what your outside experiences are. Let your whole heart be given unto him and play not the fool as these kings tha faced so much sorrow and tribualtions because they have this title, 'yet not like David'. I would also point out that in most of the saints lives they had a beginning in the things of God. It was not instanteous holiness within their life. But events and people helped to shape them and mold them for the Lords desire in their life. Anyone that has read the life of David knows that his life was one found in sin on several occassions. Yet, the Lord honored him because his heart was perfect. These kings, the descendants of David, had the same choice. Their hands may fail, but keep the heart pure and undefiled in Him. Let the church understand that the heart is what is to be checked and ridden of false impressions, self advancement, pride and the other impurities that cause us to sin. Keep yourself from all evil, "Avoid all apprearance of evil". And if you study these kings that 'did good in the sight of the Lord; yet not like David', see the end of their lives and the misery and collapse of their kingdom. These things happen to the soul that is not wholly given unto the Lord is fair game for the devil. The devil waits for God's children to lessen their purusit, fall away from His Presence and then he has them. Note in any life, that when a chidl of God begins to waver in their walk with the Lord, if they do not catch themselves and repent quickly, the devil is waiting for them. In this day and age, we have toomuch of this found within the ranks fo Christianity, and it it the norm. The costs of what we are reaping because of this half way faithfulness and service is allow for evil to grow and multiply. What we need to couner and shew forth God's mighty hand is a whole hearted man or woman of God. Chose you this day Who you will serve? But as for me and my house we shall serve the Lord.