| “So the leaders of Israel and the king HUMBLED themselves; and they said, The LORD is righteous.” – 2 Chronicles 12:6 |
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| Responding with Humility King Rehoboam not only had a huge EGO, but by my definition, he lived out the word EGO as he was constantly EDGING GOD OUT. King Rehoboam and the various leaders of Israel had very little use for God. Later in 2 Chronicles 12 we have a scathing description of him where the writer writes, “And Rehoboam did evil because he did not prepare his heart to seek the LORD.” (2 Chronicles 12:14) However, our verse to consider tells of a moment in time when King Rehoboam and those closest to him HUMBLED themselves. The context of such action comes as God has had enough of their arrogance and is sending the Egyptians to plunder Jerusalem. 2 Chronicles 12:5 tells us, “Then Shemaiah the prophet came to Rehoboam and the leaders of Judah, who were gathered together in Jerusalem because of Shishak, and said to them, thus says the LORD: You have forsaken Me, and therefore I also have left you in the hand of Shishak.” Upon hearing how they had forsaken God there is a response of HUMILITY and HONESTY. Instead of blatantly refusing to acknowledge God’s authority they (the king and the leaders) acknowledge the superiority of God and that He is right and they are wrong. As believers, we are called to live humble lives. James 4:10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up. 1 Peter 5:5 Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to [your] elders. Yes, all of [you] be submissive to one another and be clothed with humility, for God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble. 1 Peter 5:6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, While we should be striving to live humble lives and keep our EGO (Edging God Out) in check there will be times where pride and arrogance carry the day. Edging God Out leads to sin as we are not going to let Him tell us how to live. As we are convicted of our sin(s) we need to repent and repentance starts with humility. In our verse, we see the acknowledgment of God’s rightful place as they declare “THE LORD IS RIGHTEOUS.” This was a complete change of heart. What are you doing with your EGO? Edging God Out or Exalting God Only? Our verse to DATE the Word on December 6 (12/6) is 2 Chronicles 12:6. It says, “So the leaders of Israel and the king HUMBLED themselves; and they said, The LORD is righteous.” God honors the humble and He humbles those who honor themselves. Continue Strong clothed with humility (1 Peter 5:5), And remember to DATE the Word |