God’s Hand and Our Choices

1 Kings 12; 2 Chronicles 10-11; Philippians 2 

“Continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.”

Philippians 2:12-13

“So the king did not listen to the people, for this turn of events was from the Lord, to fulfill the word the Lord had spoken to Jeroboam…”

1 Kings 12:15

Our pride and rebellion turns God’s heart against us and limits the grace that could be ours. Even though we are given the gift of salvation and forgiveness of sin through Jesus Christ, we are still called to work out our salvation with fear and trembling. Our knowledge that God is sovereign and able to move our hearts in the direction of His will and way, should motivate us to surrender ourselves to Him in all things so that His purposes for our lives and for His Church can be accomplished. Rehoboam’s rebellion against the wisdom of the elders was from the Lord. That should put the fear of God in us! What appears to be the exercise of Rehoboam’s free will was actually God’s judgment on his father’s rebellion against God. Humbling ourselves before God is always right.

“Lord Jesus, I humble myself before you this day and desire your will and your strength to live for you. I desire your counsel and direction for your glory.”