2 Chronicles 27:1-9
Jotham became king over Judah at 25 years of age when God struck his father Uzziah with leprosy for arrogantly entering the temple and doing what was restricted to the priesthood. “He did what was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father Uzziah had done; however he did not enter the temple of the LORD. But the people continued acting corruptly.” (2) Jotham learned from witnessing his father’s error and did not repeat his sin. He built the upper gate of God’s house and the wall of Ophel. Besides building cities, fortresses, and towers, He fought against the Ammonites. Not only did he prevail over them, but they gave substantial amounts to him for three years following his victory. “So Jotham became powerful because he directed his ways before the LORD his God.” (6) His success is not attributed to his creativity, talent or any inherent ability of the natural man! It is attributed to His posture of dependency on God. He lived according to God’s Words aligning with God’s ways. The key to success as God’s people is willingness to lay aside our ways to seek God’s ways: “‘For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,’ declares the LORD.” (Isaiah 55:8)