Saturday, July 12 They killed [Jehoash] . . . , but they did not bury him in the burial places of the kings.​—2 Chron. 24:25.

[Áine]

Saturday, July 12

They killed [Jehoash] . . . , but they did not bury him in the burial places of the kings.—2 Chron. 24:25.

 

What can we learn from the example of Jehoash? He was like a tree with shallow roots that depended on the support of a stake. When the stake—Jehoiada—was gone and the winds of apostasy blew, Jehoash toppled over. This powerfully illustrates that our fear of God must not depend solely on the good influence of fellow Christians, including family members. To remain spiritually strong, we must strengthen our own godly devotion and fear through regular study, meditation, and prayer. (Jer. 17:7, 8; Col 2:6, 7) Jehovah does not really ask much of us. What he requires is summed up at Ecclesiastes 12:13, which says: “Fear the true God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole obligation of man.” When we fear God, we will be able to face future tests and stand firm. Nothing will be able to damage our friendship with Jehovah. w23.06 19 ¶17-19

[just1-4all]

This reminds me of something seemingly new, or something new to my understanding ... that Jesus' words about the different 'soils' of the heart was not meant to mean they are set in stone? In other words: Ones heart can be made to produce many fold spiritual gifts independent from the heart one starts out with? 

 

I can think of a plethora of scriptures and more recent publication study themes that seem to support that.