PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: 1 Kings 11-12
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“Go home, every one of you, for this is my doing.” (1 Kings 12:24)
Is God the puppet master, and the people merely puppets?
The author of this book sees God’s hand behind these events.
In one sense you can say that, since God holds all things.
But it was not God that made these rulers sin.
God did not make Solomon marry his wives or serve false gods.
God did not make Rehoboam reject the advice of the elders.
God did not cause the division of Israel.
God gives us the freedom to choose, and choose we do.
Yet God steers and guides the consequences of our choices.
God works through our folly with his wisdom, to make things right.
Behind our ‘doing’ is God ‘doing’, and God’s doing is better.
He always guards his kingdom seed, even when humans seek to ruin it.
Humans killed Jesus, but God uses their deeds to rescue humans.
We cannot thwart God’s irresistible grace; grace will win in the end!
PRAYER
Lord, I am not a puppet, but neither am I totally in control. Thank you for guiding my life – including my folly – towards your better outcome!
“You must not intermarry with them, because they will surely turn your hearts after their gods.” And so it began and Solomon turned from his devotion to God. And what a mess followed and the mess continues. In our lives too – if we follow the ways of the world and forget our creator and his Will and desire for us – to live in harmony with Him and the creation He made. O Lord help me not to lose focus 0 but to stay devoted to you!!
God’s will be done.
The rulers had gone their own way, forsaking the command of the Lord to serve Him. Do this and live is what the Lord God had said. However mankind insisted upon their own way – just like today. But this is my Father’s world and He will orchestrate events so that the people wil see His hand rescuing His own. My the people see that also in the world events today. We are not in control especially when we do what is right in our own eyes. He will all things to completin for His Kingdom is coming in full. Open my eyes Lord that I may see Your hand also in the events of today.
This is my Father’s world:
O let me ne’er forget
That though the wrong seems oft so strong,
God is the Ruler yet.
This is my Father’s world:
Why should my heart be sad?
The Lord is King: let the heavens ring!
God reigns; let earth be glad!