Saturday, April 17, 2010
April 17 ... I Kings 12 - 14 "An Undivided Heart"
I Kings 12: 4 Give us a break; lighten up on us and we'll willingly serve you." In verse 12:8 Rehoboam rejected the counsel of the elders and asked the young men he'd grown up with who were now currying his favor, "What do you think?" Do I keep asking other people what they think until I get the answer I want? Do I share my story in such a way to prove my point, get others to agree with me, make others feel they can't disagree? Where's my heart? Rehoboam went with the popular decision. What did he want more than the love of his God? His own immediate plan. Control. "Effective management trumped holiness." Along comes King Jeroboam who comes up with yet another plan. Along comes a holy man under strict orders from God yet he listens to another man, a lying prophet. What a lesson. Am I listening to God or persuaded by men? Under strict orders from God yet they didn't follow God fully. But this isn't about learning lessons. This isn't about formulating wise thoughts to motivate us to follow God fully. Ths is about a heart problem not about finding the right words or actions or techniques. I Kings 14:8 They didn't live like David who lived with an undivided heart, pleasing God---even though he wasn't holy at times. An Undivided Heart!
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I have often prayed for an undivided heart for me and all of those I love. I believe it has to be one of the dearest qualities close to the heart of God. Praying for you and yours...
ReplyDeleteThis is so good, friend, and hits me right on the pavement of life today...where is my heart, indeed!
ReplyDeleteI am realizing how easy it is to have a divided heart. Ugh.
ReplyDeleteI have just been ranting about how oblivious and self-centered my father is (after having him in my house for the past 24 hours), and then I sat down to read my Bible while the kids are sleeping.
As I finished today's reading, God brought James 3:9-10 to mind: "With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be."
I am so convicted right now. Clearly, I want what I want more than to love God with all of my heart.
So many lessons in this short reading! But most of all, the reminder that God sees all - both inside thoughts and outside actions. No situation escapes His notice. I want to live honestly before my God and for my heart to be wholly His, imperfect as it is.
Have a great weekend, my friends.
How often I've felt a fraud to my God. I don't feel restless today--totally reconciled unto Him. In the midst of some physical pain, I feel drawn into His world, not so consumed with my own.
ReplyDeleteI'm doing really great and so appreciate those of you who have prayed me through the last ten days. I've missed you and still see a little cross-eyed with the medicine but love reading your hearts!
Love and hugs,
Annette
I've been out of town and have caught up on my reading...just too tired to think.
ReplyDeleteBev, I'm jumping up and down over Britt's great news! Just really happy for y'all and praising God!
Is this for basketball, or something else?
Deborah, how is your brother? Praying everything went well with his surgery. Asking for God's suffcient Grace for you tonight.
Annette, glad you're feeling better. I've missed your comments.
Blessings,
FG Forever Grateful
Deborah - praying for your brother!
ReplyDeleteI am amazed that in only 5 short years after Solomon's death, that the temple and palace we spend many years building was ransacked by foreign invaders. It was sad to think about how quickly the glory, power, and wealth disappeared. It truly made me think that when God is gone from our lives, that everything else becomes useless, no matter how valuable it seems.
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