1 Kings 15: 1-24; 2 Chronicles 13-16
As we read through the histories of the divided kingdoms and their respective leaders, I feel like a cheerleader on the sidelines, cheering those on who are walking with the Lord. When the kings choose to seek God and lead an example for their followers, they prosper and are at peace – and even if they are attacked when they lean on the Lord, they find protection and provision. Their commitment to the Lord can be like our commitment to the Lord, at times we are ‘all in’, while at other times we are ‘hanging in’ and other times we are not focused on the game at all.
In our reading today, Abijah, was ‘hanging in’ and in desperation he turned to the Lord and found deliverance. Asa was ‘all in’ in his devotion to the Lord, but then at some point, he stopped his complete reliance on God and chose to take things into his own hands. It may have been successful temporarily, but we know in the long run, this approach never wins.
Now, many people in the world judge actions by their immediate results. If a Christian does a wrong thing, and it prospers, then at once they conclude he was justified in doing it; but, ah! Brethren, this is a poor, blind way of judging the actions of men and the providence of God. Do you not know that there are devil’s providences as well as God’s providences?” (Spurgeon)
What do you think about Spurgeon’s quote?
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