The stories of four kings of varying degrees of loyalty are retold here.

First is Amaziah, who starts off “doing what was right in the sight of the Lord, but not with a loyal heart”. Without the loyal heart he veers away from God, and meets a sticky end.

Next comes Uzziah, who again starts off doing what is right before God – and consequently becomes a military hero, having discovered many new weapons and defence devices. But Uzziah becomes proud, and thinks he can go into the inner sanctum of the Lord.

He becomes a leper.

His son Jotham follows God faithfully and reigns for 16 peaceful years before Ahaz, who turns from God.

Judah is captured by Israel as a consequence. When Israel’s warriors take their captives home to make them slaves, their prophet warns them that it will make their lives very bad if they go ahead with it.

So the Israelites are released – only to be attacked by a string of other kings. Rather than turn to God in his trouble, Ahaz tries to worship the gods of his attackers – but only makes things worse.

Psalm 66 is another famous one: “Make a joyful shout to God, all the earth…. You O God have tested us; You have refined us as silver is refined….”

It has some wise words: “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear. ”

Dear God, Thank you for bringing me through my dark week, even though I often forgot to turn to you in the hard times. Please help me remember You always, first, in good times and bad. Thank you for bringing my family home from J’s funeral. Please watch over my Uncle M. Please help me stop entertaining sinful thoughts. Please create in me a clean heart, My Father and Lord. Thank you for my husband, my children, my health, my faith, my parents, my siblings – thank you God for everything. Please watch over P and N, and D. In Jesus’ name, Amen.