2 Chronicles Chapter 12: Verses 12-14 (NIV)
Because Rehoboam humbled himself, the Lord’s anger turned from him, and he was not totally destroyed. Indeed, there was some good in Judah.
King Rehoboam established himself firmly in Jerusalem and continued as king. He was forty-one years old when he became king, and he reigned seventeen years in Jerusalem, the city the Lord had chosen out of all the tribes of Israel in which to put his Name. His mother’s name was Naamah; she was an Ammonite. He did evil because he had not set his heart on seeking the Lord.
At the beginning of Rehoboam’s reign, we read that he went off the rails because he didn’t listen to wise and sound advice. Worst of all, he didn’t seek God. He chose to listen to people who told him only what he wanted to hear. But when the going got tough he realised that he had to humble himself and come to God. And we also read that God responded; there was still some good in the land.
When things are going well for us, its easy to forget to be diligent in seeking God, and we go off and do our own thing without thinking about it. Perhaps if we do seek advice on a matter and its not what we want to hear, we behave as Rehoboam did and ignore it. We need to seek God just as faithfully when things are going well, because we can get so easily distracted – at least I know that I can. Its all very well starting off with good intentions. As long as we continue to follow after God, He will make sure that we continue on the right road.
Dear Lord,
Help me to be as diligent in seeking Your face in the good times as when I am having a difficult time. I know how easily distracted I can get, and go off on a tangent that gets me into all sorts of problems.
I ask in Jesus’ Name. Amen.