God Speaks
At First Rehoboam Did Evil, But Later He Humbled Himself and the LORD Allowed Him to Reign for 17 Years
Verse of the Day: [Looking at these verses in reverse order summarizes Rehoboam’s reign.] He [Rehoboam] did evil because he had not set his heart on seeking the LORD. . . . Because Rehoboam humbled himself, the LORD’s anger turned away from him, and he was not totally destroyed. Indeed, there was some good in Judah. (2 Chronicles 14 and 12 NIV 2011)
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We Respond
Reflection: Consider the following questions regarding 2 Chronicles 10-12:
1. What does this chapter tell me about God?
2. What does this chapter tell me about the human beings He created?
Here is one possible answer to each of these questions. Ask the Holy Spirit if there are any others for you personally to ponder.
2 Chronicles 10
1. God has sovereign supervision over everything that happens on the earth including how nations are ruled or managed.
2. Even people’s foolish decisions or bad behavior cannot keep God’s plans and purposes from being established.
2 Chronicles 11
1. God blesses people when they act wisely and follow His instructions as Rehoboam did in this chapter.
2. People of God should do as the Israelite priests and Levites did: move to where they can sincerely worship the LORD, offer sacrifices to Him, and support leaders who are following Godly examples, even if it means leaving their ancestral lands.
2 Chronicles 12
1. God often relents from sending calamity when people humble themselves and repent, especially when leaders do so.
2. As goes their leaders, so go the people, whether into righteousness or into wickedness.
Prayer:
3. How might I pray regarding 2 Chronicles 10-12?
Dear LORD God, thank You for being both loving and just. You have laid out in the Bible what You expect of Your people. Even our sinfulness does not thwart Your plans and purposes. You always keep Your promises. When we humble ourselves, return to You, and cease our sinful behaviors and attitudes, You make our lives brighter than we could ever imagine. You also relent from sending calamities upon us. Please help me to choose wisely whom I will follow. May it be someone with a heart for You like King David. Please return this nation back to choosing and following Godly leaders like George Washington. Then we will again be a shining city on a hill and bring You glory, LORD. AMEN
Action: (Ask God, the Holy Spirit, if He wants you to work on one of the suggestions below or something else more personal that He points out.)
4. What action does the LORD want me to take in response to 2 Chronicles 10-12? With the help of God’s Holy Spirit:
- I will take time out to humble myself and repent of the ways I have sinned against God and other people.
- I will set aside time to pray for those in authority in my nation to humble themselves and seek God and His ways.
- I will ask the LORD God to forgive our sins and enable us to follow Him faithfully, thus healing our land physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
- I will encourage other people–believers or not– to trust and obey the LORD God Almighty.
Share: I plan to share what I’ve learned with __________.