Lose Faith, Lose Out

“When the rule of Rehoboam was established and he was strong, he abandoned the law of the Lord, and all Israel with him. In the fifth year of King Rehoboam, because they had been unfaithful to the Lord, Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem with 1,200 chariots and 60,000 horsemen. And the people were without number who came with him from Egypt—Libyans, Sukkiim, and Ethiopians. And he took the fortified cities of Judah and came as far as Jerusalem. Then Shemaiah the prophet came to Rehoboam… and said, ‘Thus says the Lord, “You abandoned me, so I have abandoned you to the hand of Shishak.”’ Then the princes of Israel and the king humbled themselves and said, ‘The Lord is righteous.’ When the Lord saw that they humbled themselves, [he said] to Shemaiah: ‘They have humbled themselves. I will not destroy them, but will grant them some deliverance, and my wrath shall not be poured out on Jerusalem by the hand of Shishak. Nevertheless, they shall be servants to him, that they may know my service and the service of the kingdoms of the countries.’

“So Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem. He took away the treasures of the house of the Lord and of the king’s house. He took away everything. He also took away the shields of gold that Solomon had made, and King Rehoboam made in their place shields of bronze and committed them to the hands of the officers of the guard… And as often as the king went into the house of the Lord, the guard came and carried them and brought them back to the guardroom…

“Rehoboam reigned seventeen years in Jerusalem… And he did evil, for he did not set his heart to seek the Lord.” 2 Chronicles 12:1-11,14

So much potential. David, the godly warrior king, had been his grandfather, and wise Solomon his father. Faithful, dedicated priests served beside him. Yet Rehoboam abandoned the faith of his fathers, turned from the Lord and His law, and lost out forever. Though he briefly humbled himself and by God’s mercy was spared full destruction, his choices brought great loss to the temple, to Judah, and to his legacy. His life is summarized in a few poignant words: he did evil, for he did not set his heart to seek the Lord.

Heart priorities always determine life direction. Sinners all, we make poor choices and do things we regret, often leaving hurt and harm in our wake. When our bent is for anything but the Lord’s honor, to serve anything other than His will and anyone other than Him, we always opt for self. We abandon His law because we prefer our own, and choose faithfulness to what we please over faithfulness to God. Only threats to personal reputation or loss bring any semblance of regret.

But when we are the Lord’s, the Spirit’s conviction pokes the heart, turns it tender, and we genuinely repent of errant ways. We despise our sin and do not require the sting of consequence to humble ourselves before the Holy One. A redeemed heart has no desire to continue in willful sin. (1 John 3:6-9)

How firm is our faith? Are we more motivated to serve self, or the Lord? Where have we grown casual about sin, regretting only when it stings? What will we do to reestablish our life kingdom under God’s benevolent headship?

Lord, may I daily set my heart to seek, obey, and honor You.