1 Kings 15:1-24
Rehoboam’s Successors

The stories of King Abijam of Judah and his son who succeeded him, Asa, illustrate the tension between man’s responsibility and God’s sovereignty in the context of parenting. Abijam failed in his responsibility to teach his son to love the Lord and walk in His ways. Abijam said the right things, he expressed orthodox beliefs, but he did evil in the eyes of the Lord. He honored God with his lips, but his heart was far from Him. (Isaiah 29:13) By rights, his son Asa should have been an evil king too. But God, in His sovereignty, made Asa to be a king who honored Him with his lips and his life. God, in His grace, turned Asa’s heart to Himself. Let’s pray for parents – to teach their children about the Lord and His commands, in word and in deed, on Sunday and every other day. Pray also that parents will realize that their role is important but God is sovereign. A child raised by truly godly parents can wander from the way, and a child raised by scoundrels can be redeemed.

The writer of 1 Kings commends King Asa, but he was far from perfect. Near the end of Asa’s long reign, he used gold and silver from the temple to buy help from the king of Syria against the Northern Kingdom of Israel instead of trusting God. When he was afflicted with a disease in his feet, he put his hope in physicians and did not seek the Lord. What a warning to those of us who have walked with the Lord a long time and are in our “golden” years! Lord, help me finish well! Don’t let me become complacent or lazy. Stir up in me renewed zeal for You and Your kingdom.

Pastor Todd emphasized that even the best of our leaders – whether leaders in the home, the political arena, or the faith – fall short. Ask the Lord to help us resist the dangerous temptation to elevate leaders. Take time today to bow before the only leader who will never let us down, King Jesus. He is perfect man and also awesome God. Before Him, remind yourself and confess that your hope is in Him alone.

Calvary Family
Pray for small group leaders and support leaders this week as group rosters are finalized and leaders finish their preparations for the new year. Ask the Lord to superintend the placing of each individual in the right group. Ask Him to equip and energize each leader for the work ahead.

In Christ,
Carol Gilbert

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