Three days later Jeroboam and all the people returned to hear Rehoboam's decision, just as the king had ordered. But Rehoboam spoke harshly to the people, for he rejected the advice of the older counselors and followed the counsel of his younger advisers. He told the people, "My father laid heavy burdens on you, but I'm going to make them even heavier! My father beat you with whips, but I will beat you with scorpions!" - 1Kings 12: 12-14 (NLT)
From this point forward the Kingdom would be permanently split into the ten northern tribes of Israel and the two remaining tribes known as Judah. It is critical who we seek when times are difficult or when we face big decisions. We need to surround ourselves with godly people who will speak the promises of God into our lives. Godly people who will bend their knee to pray with us. Godly people who will fast and seek the face of God with us. Those are the every day heroes beloved and those are who we should take pleasure in.
Today's devotional closes with a look at verse number four from Psalm 16; the Golden Psalm. We have seen so far some very practical counsel from God for our difficult days. We must:
1) Cry out to God to keep us safe!
2) Seek the refuge in God by abiding in Him.
3) Make sure that He is our Master and Lord.
4) Focus on all of the good He has already brought into our lives.
5) When seeking out people in this world, always turn to those who are godly.
Verse four however serves to remind us that as bad as things are they can always get worse. Our troubles can easily multiply in our lives. I am sure we have all experienced this. Where one problem snowballs into another and then another. What determines the course of our trials? Often times it is a matter of what we chase when we find ourselves in the valley. If we chase the five things listed above, we will find peace at worst and deliverance at best. But David reminds us that the devil will offer up things for us to chase as well. Sometimes we separate out the Old Testament practices from current living because they seem so unfamiliar. At the time this Psalm was penned there were literally other gods people would choose to worship over Jehovah. Sometimes we fail to see the modern day relevance. The modern day equivalent. The world today still offers up for us other gods to chase after instead of Jehovah and chase we often do. Many chase after the god of money. The church even endorses this far too easily today. It is difficult to watch these false prosperity preachers leading sheep astray every week. The message is enticing. It is alluring. We should not however take part in their sacrifices or even mention their names! If it is not money then maybe it is lust. How many Christians have compounded marital problems by chasing lust and bowing down at the altar of adultery? Money, lust, fame, power - whatever it is the world is offering we need to run in the opposite direction and chase God! The affair is not going to solve your problems! It will only multiply them! Chasing after the things of this world will not solve your problems beloved - it will only multiply them. Don't even speak their names. Do not bring the idea to your lips. Cry out to God for safety! Seek Him as a refuge! Make Him the Master of your life! Focus on all the good He has already done! Seek like minded godly people who will point you constantly to the only one who has the answers. Jesus.
Reverend Anthony Wade - January 8, 2014
