- Have you not driven out the priests of the Lord, the sons of Aaron, and the Levites, and made priests for yourselves like the peoples of other lands? Whoever comes for ordination with a young bull or seven rams becomes a priest of what are not gods. But as for us, the Lord is our God, and we have not forsaken him. We have priests ministering to the Lord who are sons of Aaron, and Levites for their service. 2 Chronicles13:9-10 – Here it appears that Abijah, the King of Judah who is speaking, is a devoted follower of God. He says he hasn’t forsaken God like the other king had. Even when he cried out for help to God later on God helped him. It appears he is a follower of God, but it’s just that, an appearance. If we look back in 1 Kings 15:3 we see that Abijah was not faithful and his heart was not after God. He used God as a way to appear better than others and an emergency bunker to only run to when things got really bad. This is not an honoring way to follow God. It wasn’t back then and still isn’t today. My hope for us all is that our devotion to God is more than just a way to appear better than others. That we turn to Him more than just in the emergency. That we follow Him how He directs us to follow Him. If we were to be honest with ourselves, is the faith life we have more for show than for the sustenance we need? I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1527
- Yet Jeroboam the son of Nebat, a servant of Solomon the son of David, rose up and rebelled against his lord, 7 and certain worthless scoundrels gathered about him and defied Rehoboam the son of Solomon, when Rehoboam was young and irresolute and could not withstand them. 2 Chronicles 13:6-7 – Abijah, the current king of Judah, who also was the son of Rehoboam, is speaking to an army of Israelites that have come against him for battle. Abijah speaks of the story we read about in chapter 10 when his father, King Rehoboam, at the start of his reign made the poor choice to listen to the wisdom of his friends over the wise older men on how to handle his kingdom. Here in his speech, Abijah says his dad wasn’t in the wrong, he was just young, unable to make clear decisions, and was being pushed around by people to make the decision he made. Let’s fact check that though. Rehoboam wasn’t young, he was 41 when he made his decision. While inexperienced in being king for sure, he had Solomon, the wisest man ever, as his father and as the one to prepare him to become king. Even just looking at the way Rehoboam spoke, it sure didn’t seem like he was a cowardly, able to be pushed around character. Abijah is making excuses for the sins of his father here. How about us? When we have done wrong recently, have we owned up to it or gave reasonings for the decision we made? We were just tired…we weren’t thinking….it was their fault that I did it. Most all of us need to be better about accepting the ownership of our wrongs and bringing that before the Lord. How could that begin for you today? Whatever that sinfulness is that has been allowed in your story, and maybe the fault has been placed elsewhere than on yourself, confess that before the Lord today. Take a step away from sin and a step toward the only One who can forgive you of your sin. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2602
Daily DEVO 