1 Kings_12
Scripture1 Kings 12:26-27 26 Jeroboam thought to himself, “The kingdom will now likely revert to the house of David. 27 If these people go up to offer sacrifices at the temple of the Lord in Jerusalem, they will again give their allegiance to their lord, Rehoboam king of Judah. They will kill me and return to King Rehoboam.”ObservationKing Rehoboam, King Solomon’s son, has become king of Israel. Jeroboam was one of King Solomon’s officials that had turned against him and went before King Rehoboam on behalf of the people.1 Kings 12:3-4 3 So they sent for Jeroboam, and he and the whole assembly of Israel went to Rehoboam and said to him: 4 “Your father put a heavy yoke on us, but now lighten the harsh labor and the heavy yoke he put on us, and we will serve you.”King Rehoboam responded harshly and their was a split in the kingdom. But God had spoke to Jeroboam about this in the previous chapter:1 Kings 11:37 However, as for you, I will take you, and you will rule over all that your heart desires; you will be king over Israel. 38 If you do whatever I command you and walk in obedience to me and do what is right in my eyes by obeying my decrees and commands, as David my servant did, I will be with you. I will build you a dynasty as enduring as the one I built for David and will give Israel to you.UnderstandingTrust in the Lord’s promise to you!God was going to give Jeroboam a kingdom in the same way he gave to King David! And he let fear creep in… (sigh) so sad! Instead of trusting God, the creator of all the universe, to do what he said he would do, Jeroboam decided to secure his own future, you know... “help” God.1 Kings 12:28 After seeking advice, the king made two golden calves. He said to the people, “It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem. Here are your gods, Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt.” 29 One he set up in Bethel, and the other in Dan. 30 And this thing became a sin; the people came to worship the one at Bethel and went as far as Dan to worship the other.When will I trust that God will do what he said!?ApplicationKeep your eyes on HIM!It’s so easy to let fear creep in. As soon as we have powerful encounter with God or he speaks an amazing promise to us,here comes the storm, here comes the waves… here comes the financial difficulty, here comes the miscommunication in our relationships, here comes the sickness…tossing us, trying to get our attention off of HIM!Oh Father! Let us be like Mary when she heard the word of the LORD!
Luke 1:37 For the word of God will never fail.”38 Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.”She had to have total dependence on God to see her promise fulfilled.And didn't God orchestrate the whole thing to see it come to pass? Having them move when it was time, following His leading, to ensure all would come to pass in the “fullness of time.” His time, not ours.Father, Thank you for your mercy and goodness, for your love that endures forever! Father help me! I need you! The storm is so strong sometimes and the wind is so loud, it seems I could lose my way so easily. Holy Spirit help me to know that it is not for me to secure myself but to keep my eyes on HIM. Father you sustain me, you guide me, you secure me! In Jesus name, Amen.Deborah Lee