2 Chronicles 12:14
“But he did evil because he did not set his heart to seek the LORD.”
King Rehoboam reined for 17 years. He took over the kingdom at it’s zenith. Within a month 10 of the twelve tribes split and become their own kingdom. He was able to strengthen what was left. I don’t think He allowed for the worship of false god’s, but he and the people forsook God when they were strong. I would say he, and they, were indifferent. Today’s verse calls that evil.
This summation of life is shocking. Not that I’m surprised, but the average person would be. Most would say, “I’ve lived a good life.” However, if they don’t seek the Lord, God says it’s evil.
Why is it evil? God created all and made the rules. We were created to worship Him and be in relationship with Him. It’s like using a crescent wrench as a hammer. It’ll work, but it’s the wrong function. A person has a right to do that, but the tool will be damaged. So, it is with the person and God. If one goes with God, it’s all good. If not, there is a bad end.
Unfortunately, because Adam and Eve sinned, we are all soiled and in need of redemption. Unfortunately we can’t do it on our own. We need God. The entire Old Testament details how we need His help. The same scriptures predicted a messiah would come and redeem us. Jesus perfectly fit all those prophecies, lived, died and rose for us. If we accept His substitutionary sacrifice, then we are saved.
When we seek God, He brings us to the cross. If we accept Christ, then we become His child and we are in HIs family and our walk with Him starts. If we don’t accept Him, then we can’t continue, nor can we keep the communication with God that we had until then. He hears, but there isn’t the free flow, back and forth communication. By not accepting Christ, we hung up the phone.
Many try different things to keep up their relationship with God, but as far as the bible is concerned a chasm separates us. Jesus gave the parable of the rich man and Lazarus. The rich man found himself in hell. He as for help and got this answer, “But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that during your life you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus bad things; but now he is being comforted here, and you are in agony. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been set, so that those who want to go over from here to you will not be able, nor will any people cross over from there to us.’” We are born with that chasm between us and God. Life is sweet, so we aren’t aware of it. Also, He reaches out to us, so we sense Him. But it’s accepting Christ’s sacrifice that bridges the gap. We are on His side once we do that.
Unfortunately Rehoboam didn’t seek God. The people followed his lead and ignored Him.
It’s not difficult to go God’s way. I accepted Christ as a teenager. I made it more difficult than it needed to be. The church I was raised in had many emphases that weren’t biblical. As those cleared up, it’s been amazing. Jesus describes it this way, ‘Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. For My yoke is comfortable, and My burden is light’, (Matthew 11:28-30). That is a great description.
A friend was at a customers shop and one of the workers asked him why he was so happy. My friend told him about Christ. Apparently the young man would like to be in a better place. God’s way is amazing. A healthy christian is a great advertisement. Hopefully that person will accept Christ.
Lord, thank You for Your way. Help us to be a blessing to others. Help us to point the way.