2 Chronicles 12:14 “(13 So King Rehoboam grew strong in Jerusalem and reigned. Rehoboam was forty-one years old when he began to reign, and he reigned seventeen years in Jerusalem, the city that the LORD had chosen out of all the tribes of Israel to put his name there. His mother’s name was Naamah the Ammonite. 14 “And he (king Rehoboam) did evil, because he did not prepare his heart to seek the LORD.”
Now and then we hear the shocking and disappointing news of a Christian leader who has blown it and we ask WHAT HAPPENED. We want to know what led to the failure. We want to know the reasons for the failure.
Having unfortunately dealt with quite a few who have fallen I believe the answer to WHAT HAPPENED in many cases is found in 2 Chronicles 12:14b. The evil actions were preceded by the NEGLECT of seeking the Lord.
Let’s look a little more at Rehoboam and his failure. Our Bible can be very brutal at times in SPEAKING THE TRUTH. The writer could have only said King Rehoboam did evil. That statement is bad enough. But the writer gives the reason for the evil practices of Rehoboam and what an indictment on Rehoboam. Let the words “BECAUSE he did not prepare his heart of seek the Lord” penetrate deep into your soul and heart.
WHAT HAPPENED? Rehoboam did not MAKE time for the things of the Lord and it sure appears he had no desire for learning about the Lord. He did evil BECAUSE he had no desire to seek and know the Lord.
Instead of Rehoboam’s heart being filled with the Word of God that would lead to the worship of God, Rehoboam’s heart was filled with evil intentions that led to wickedness.
Instead of walking with the Lord King Rehoboam did wicked things against the Lord.
May this verse that tells of the evil actions of a king challenge us to desire and delight to know God. We must be INTENTIONAL about filling our hearts with the Word of God and then practice righteousness! May there never be a report that we failed BECAUSE WE DID NOT PREPARE OUR HEARTS TO SEEK THE LORD.
Have you been neglecting your time with the Lord?
Continue Strong being intentional in seeking the Lord,
And Remember to Date the Word