1 Kings 12:20-13:34
Acts 9:26-43
Psalm 132:1-18
Proverbs 17:6
It seems like every now and again, through readings and reflections, I'm reminded how influential David was. His self-denial and ultimate faith in the Lord is a true testament to God's will. He stood by what he knew was true, God's Word, and while he was far from perfect, as all humans are, he committed himself to God and trusted in Him despite his many adversaries. Life is not about choosing what is convenient, or what is worldly, it's about choosing God. As Todd White, Founder and President of Lifestyle Christianity, said, if you're not choosing Jesus, you're choosing the world. You can't do both. Each moment we need to listen to God's clear Word and what we know is true. Don't listen and be fooled by others whose intentions are to mislead you or to guide you toward what is acceptable by the world. Listen to Our Father, our Lord and Savior, and the power of the Holy Spirit.
This month marks the completion of my third year as a full time teacher. I absolutely love "my kids" and each year comes with its own challenges and victories. This morning I was thinking back to how much of a struggle I encountered in my first year and a half there, not with the children, but with other staff members; one in particular. What I think started as a power struggle on their part, resulted in me being treated really poorly. I cried, I dreaded going to work, I interviewed at other places, I had my mind made up - I wasn't going back if I got a job offer. However, the Lord had other plans. I had interviews, but I didn't land any jobs. He was not about to let me cower down in fear and failure, and He wasn't letting me go without working His love through myself and others. I returned as a second year teacher, and felt like I had grown more of a backbone, but there was still friction with this other person. I remember one specific example of when I had a quick remark back to them, almost like I had gained a point in this unnamed game. One day during a team meeting, another coworker witnessed the treatment towards me and later came to me privately and said with authority that I should not let her talk to me like that again. She had compassion for me in this situation, but I'm not sure where her advice would have led me. Would it have solved my problems to stand up against this person and show my "power" in future situations? Probably not. Of course I should be firm in what is right, but I shouldn't change my character for defensive purposes. My mom suggested praying for her, and quite frankly I didn't want to. Why would I want to pray for someone who was being mean to me? I didn't understand the power of prayer at that time, nor the power of God for that matter, even though he had helped me in monumental ways prior to that. It wasn't until my cousin, who is a pastor, suggested I do a 30 day prayer challenge and pray for her that I caved in and fully lifted the matter up to God. The prayers were not for her to change for me, not selfish prayers, but pray for her well being. So I began to pray for her on my way to work. I prayed for her to feel happiness and love, and many good things, and you know what? THINGS CHANGED! I don't even remember how many days it took, but it wasn't the full 30. That is how great God is. Now looking back, my work environment has evolved into something so much better by the grace of God, and it all started with incorporating selfless prayer into my day for someone who I didn't want to pray for. Isn't that something? When I let go and let God, something my mom has encouraged me to do for years, He allowed me to see what He is capable of. His patience in me to come to Him is something that deserves immense recognition. He's a man of His Word, and He works in His perfect timing, allowing us to gain wisdom through our experiences and during our time of waiting.
Well, how does this relate to today's readings? In Kings, we read about several patterns of seeking advice. First, Rehoboam was unsure of how to answer his people when they requested that the heavy yoke that his father put on them be removed, so he sought advice from the wise elders that served his father. They clearly said that if he were to serve these people, then they would serve him for life. However, he wasn't set on the words of wisdom provided to him, and instead sought the advice of his peers. They said that he should be more harsh than his father, and so when the people returned after three days, the threats were spewed out. Well, that didn't work in his favor, because that led to the division of Israel.
In the north, Jeroboam created false idols, convinced the people to worship at altars he created instead of going to Jerusalem, hired anyone to be a priest, and ultimately ignored the Word and Will of God, over, and over, and over again. Then, a man of God was sent to him to share a message from the Lord that what he was doing was wrong and there would be destruction of what was being created there. This man of God had strict instructions from God himself not to eat or drink with anyone, and to return home a different way. When Jeroboam asked the man to go back with him for food and drink, but the man declined and was on his way. However, a prophet went out after him and was able to convince the man to go back with him by lying and saying that God said so.
Let's pause.
This part really stood out to me because while we are unsure of what this prophet's motives truly were, he was able to convince this man to come back with him; and after this man of God was killed for his disobedience, the prophet mourned his loss and requested that he be buried with him when he died.
It makes me think that people can mislead you no matter if their intentions are good or bad. I think about my experience at school, and how I received advice from three different people, and two of them aligned with what God wants. As a Christian, we must discern from right in wrong in our actions, but we must also discern the words that are spoken to us by others, and listen for the Word of God. God is with us always. Sometimes it may feel like we are spending a lot of time in the valley, but we must stay in good faith knowing that it's in the valley that we are able to gain a lot of the truths and wisdom that He wants us to receive.
Be open to the Word of the Lord. Have your ears attuned to His voice. God is able to replace any heart of stone with one of flesh, which then gives us eyes that see, ears that hear, and tongues that profess His love. Jesus spoke to Saul and turned his eyes away from persecuting Christians, to becoming one of God's devoted tools of ministry. Saul left his old ways and became a disciple of Jesus Christ, risking his own life to spread the news of his Savior. How incredible is that?
God WORKS in us, through us, and around us constantly. I have realized that I often get in my own way, claiming to let God be my stronghold, but letting my feelings turn me away from being a Christ-like follower. Ouch. It digs deep in me to say that, but it is the truth. This is where I can look at David and his self-denial, his unrelenting love, admiration and devotion to God, and despite his many sinful acts, he was forgiven and favored by the Lord. We too share that relationship with God through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
Dear Lord, I pray that believers and nonbelievers can lean into the wisdom of your Word during this time of extreme hardship in our country and our world, and always. What seems impossible to us is entirely possible through you. I pray that those who read your Word are active disciples in spreading your Word through their actions. Please help us embody your body, and be the people that you intend us to be. We are the church, and hatred is not welcome. Heavenly Father, please let us be wise in our conversations, and let the Holy Spirit work through us and those who we encounter. Dear Lord, please extinguish the selfish flames within us that prevent us from seeing others with your lens. I pray all of these things in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
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