"So the king did not listen to the people, for it was a turn of affairs brought about by God that the Lord might fulfill His Word..." - 2 Chronicles 10:15
The golden age of Israel, the full expansion of its territory and the height of its wealth and glory under David and Solomon, lasted just eighty years. Toward the end of Solomon’s reign, in spite of God’s blessings on him and his kingdom, Solomon became more and more corrupted as he turned his back on God’s Word.
God had warned him over and over again that the blessing was dependent on Solomon’s faithfulness. Although Solomon surpassed all others in wisdom he acted foolishly in his attitude toward the Word of God.
Solomon’s son, Rehoboam, misunderstood this dynamic. He behaved as though he had a divine right to rule and could lord it over the people, no matter what His heart’s attitude was. As a result, he retained the title of king but lost everything that the title meant: the Kingdom.
Rehoboam was indeed the descendant of David and in line to receive the blessings that God had promised to David, including the throne. But all of these blessings were dependent on his attitude toward God’s Word. They weren't His to abuse; they were to be received in humility and enjoyed in God’s way, with the heart of a servant.
We are promised great blessings, too. God wants to bless our church, our homes and families, and our work. But all of these blessings are to be received humbly and used in God’s way.
Be the dad that God has called you to be. Carry your role as husband, wife, mom, son or daughter, boss or employee, the way that His Word calls you to do it. Whatever you do, do it God’s way, in an attitude of grateful humility, a servant’s heart and attention to His Word, and you’ll see His hand of blessing on everything you do.
Lord, thank You for mercifully forgiving the times I have failed to do things by Your Word. Give me a servant’s heart that humbly receives Your gifts and uses them according to Your Word, waiting for Your blessing to follow on my home, my family, my work, my church and all that You have given me, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Pastor Dan Giles
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