(NASB) Hebrews11:33, 37 “who by faith…” 37 “They were stoned…”

Zechariah, son of Jehoiada was stoned to death by the orders of King Joash.

The life of Jehoiada the priest
The king was counseled by Jehoiada, Zechariah’s father, from the time Joash became king at the age of seven.  Jehoiada and the king restored the house of the Lord.
(2 Chronicles 24:1-14)
(NASB) 2 Chronicles 24:2 “Joash did what was right in the sight of the Lord all the days of Jehoiada the priest.”

After the death of Jehoiada the priest
  After Jehoiada died, the king listened to the counsel of godless men.  King Joash led the nation to abandon belief in the living God.  God sent prophets to warn Joash and he did not listen to them.  The nation of Judah abandoned God and God abandoned them.

Wise counsel will bring glory to the living God.
To whom are you listening?

Through the Spirit of God, Zechariah the son of Jehoiada, warned Joash.
(NASB)  Chronicles 24:20 “Then the Spirit of God came on Zechariah the son of Jehoiada the priest; and he stood above the people and said to them, ‘Thus God has said, ‘Why do you transgress the commandments of the Lord and do not prosper?  Because you have forsaken the Lord, He has also forsaken you.’”

Zechariah, plotted against by the king’s counselors, was stoned to death in the court of the temple (the house of the Lord).
(2 Chronicles 24:21)

Godless men have no regard for life, no regard for God and no regard for the sanctuary of safety and worship.

Take it to heart ~

(NASB) 2 Corinthians 4:7-10 “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves;
8 we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing;
9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;
10 always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.”

  Sacrificial living clings to God.  God’s power is greater than ourselves, or anyone else’s power.

We may be under pressure (afflicted) – but not crushed.
We may be perplexed – but not despairing.
We may be persecuted – but not forsaken, not abandoned by God our Savior.
We may be struck down – but not destroyed by God.

Sacrificial living is being faithful in following Jesus, our Savior and Lord.

By Faith ~ stand firm using God’s words