He Did What Was Right in the Eyes of the Lord

Kings Jehoshaphat, Josiah and Uzziah each received this epitaph from the Lord, “He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord.” [1] “Lord, please help each of us to do likewise.”

The last words of King David glorified the Lord. He wrote, “The Spirit of the Lord spoke by me, and His word was on my tongue. The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spoke to me: ‘He who rules over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God.’” [2]

David let the Holy Spirit speak through him. By relying on God’s Spirit he was able to do what was just. The Holy Spirit empowered him to do what was right in God’s eyes.

God caused David to shine when David’s king became jealous of him and began to hunt him like a hunter hunts an animal. At one point, David was hiding in a cave and God turned that cave into a blessing. David’s three most valiant warriors, Adino, Eleazar, and Shammah, joined with David while he was living in that cave. They helped David to win many battles. [3]

One of David’s strongpoints and a good strongpoint for any leader to have is the fear of the Lord. When David sinned, he admitted it, and asked the Lord to forgive him.

“David’s heart condemned him after he had numbered the people. So, David said to the Lord, ‘I have sinned greatly in what I have done; but now, I pray, O Lord, take away the iniquity of Your servant, for I have done very foolishly.’” [4]

He also wrote, “Oh, do not remember former iniquities against us! Let Your tender mercies come speedily to meet us, for we have been brought very low. Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of Your Name; and deliver us, and provide atonement for our sins, for Your Name’s sake!” [5]

He recognized that the only way up is down... down on one’s knees. Ask the Lord for mercy! Ask the Lord for salvation for God’s glory! He recognized his need of the Lord’s atoning sacrifice.

David did not try to manipulate the Lord’s kindness for personal gain. He told one man, “I will not offer burnt offerings to the Lord my God with that which costs me nothing.” [6]

David’s son, King Solomon, extolled God for the gift of wisdom. He wrote, “Wisdom is better than rubies, and all the things one may desire cannot be compared with her.” He wrote that by wisdom “kings reign, and rulers decree justice.” [7]

God’s wisdom proceeded “His works of old.” [8] First wisdom, then, wonderful works of God!

The Apostle Paul was not a king, but he advised King Agrippa with advice from God’s Word. [9]

Paul also wrote good advice for us when he wrote, “You stand by faith. Do not be haughty, but fear. For if God did not spare the natural branches, He may not spare you either. Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God: on those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in His goodness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off.” [10]

The people of Israel who rejected God’s Son, Messiah are the natural branches that were cut off. We, Gentile believers in Christ, are the unnatural branches that were grafted into the olive tree of God due to our acceptance of Jesus as God’s Son. Paul warns us not to turn from testifying for Jesus Christ lest, we too, become dry branches like unbelieving Israel, and are cut off.

We must have the Lord to do what is right in His eyes. Israel had God’s book but God’s book did not have them. It is not enough to know of the Lord, we must know the Lord. Paul wrote, “For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen.” [11]

Dear friends, may our Heavenly Father grant you the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ to do what is right in His sight by the power of the Holy Spirit so that at the end of your life God may say of you (and of me) he or she did what was right in the eyes of the Lord.

[1] 1 Kings 22:2; 2 Kings 22:43; 2 Chronicles 26:4
[2] 2 Sammuel 23:2-3
[3] 2 Samuel 23:8-13
[4] 2 Samuel 24:10
[5] Psalm 79:8-9
[6] 2 Samuel 24:23-24
[7] Proverbs 8:11, 15
[8] Proverbs 8:29
[9] Acts 26:1-29
[10] Romans 11:20-22
[11] Romans 11:36