An athlete desirous of winning in a race will rather focus on the finishing line than on fellow competitors. Even so, winning athletes do glance at their competitors’ progress to determine their performance. In life also, there is an irresistible tendency to measure our performance by comparing ourselves with our peers. In the Christian race, it is not so. Our eventual rating is not relative to other people's performance. It is measured on God’s standard only.

Jehoram fared better than his parents, Ahab and Jezebel because he, at least, put away the image of Baal set up by them. He also performed more impressively than Ahaziah, his predecessor. Ahaziah was a devotee of Baalzebub and also lacked the courage to confront the Moabites who rebelled against Israel as soon as Ahab died. Unlike his parents and brother, Jehoram subscribed to the worship of the God of Israel. When Ivtoab withdrew their annual tribute to Israel, Jehoram rose to the occasion. He arranged a confederacy to subdue Moab to compliance.

Verse 2 of our text, however, opens with a verdict that summarizes the performance of Jehoram ”...he wrought evil in the sight of the LORD”. One major area where he failed was the sustenance of the worship of the golden calves set up by king Jeroboam in his bid to cut Israel clear from Judah where true worship was domiciled. Jehoram’s comparative goodness was not enough to earn him a place in the hall of fame of godly leaders. Neither was his half-measure of piety enough to stave off the judgment of God earlier pronounced on his family which was fulfiIled in his days.

We cannot serve God half-heartedly and expect to be approved of Him. Compromise weakens the will and renders one unsuitable. God demands whole-hearted devotion from all. it is only when we give it that we will enjoy His presence,  presentation and power.