THE STORY OF JESUS: 1 Kings 14-16
“You made for yourself other gods and turned your back on me.” (1 Kings 14:9)
In these chapters we see things going from bad to worse in Judah and Israel.
Despite God’s warnings, the kings and the people abandoned God for corrupt living.
But is God to blame for the consequences of this corruption?
God does not cause suffering, violence or death… sin does.
But God does withdraw support from those who leave Him.
And when God withdraws, who will protect from the consequences of corruption.
“There are only two kinds of people in the end: those who say to God, “Thy will be done,” and those to whom God says, in the end, “Thy will be done.” (C.S.Lewis)
If we want life without God, we get it (and what it entails).
As Jesus followers, are we “fully committed to the Lord” (1 Kings 15:14) like Asa.
Or do we pursue our own dreams until things go bad, and then run to Him?
God will give us what we seek… but we may not be happy with the results.
The Lord is challenging me: am I seeking life with Him, or without Him?
If I am not seeking Him fully now, should I expect Him fully later on?
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, these kings remind me that I will get what I seek. If I only aim for a half-hearted relationship with You, that is what I will get, with all its half-hearted consequences.