Fleeting, Fading

II Chronicles 12:1–8

“After Rehoboam’s position as king was established and he had become strong, he and all Israel with him abandoned the law of the LORD. Because they had been unfaithful to the LORD, Shishak king of Egypt attacked Jerusalem in the fifth year of King Rehoboam. With twelve hundred chariots and sixty thousand horsemen and the innumerable troops of Libyans, Sukkites and Cushites that came with him from Egypt, he captured the fortified cities of Judah and came as far as Jerusalem. Then the prophet Shemaiah came to Rehoboam and to the leaders of Judah who had assembled in Jerusalem for fear of Shishak, and he said to them, “This is what the LORD says, ‘You have abandoned Me; therefore, I now abandon you to Shishak.’” The leaders of Israel and the king humbled themselves and said, “The LORD is just.” When the LORD saw that they humbled themselves, this word of the LORD came to Shemaiah: “Since they have humbled themselves, I will not destroy them but will soon give them deliverance. My wrath will not be poured out on Jerusalem through Shishak. They will, however, become subject to him, so that they may learn the difference between serving me and serving the kings of other lands.”

“The LORD is just (v. 6).” Praise the LORD! I wonder how much of Solomon’s wisdom seeped into his son Rehoboam’s heart and mind: “A person's pride will humble him, but a humble spirit will gain honor (Prov 29:23).” The Apostle John reminds us too that only God is the ultimate reality, only God endures, “do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world— the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life— is not from the Father but from the world. The world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God remains forever (I John 2:15–17).” The Living Life writer reminds us, “when God disciplines us for having sinned against Him, may we be quick to humble ourselves. May we repent and turn back to Him.” And we are asked: “Where do you place your strength and security? How can you ensure that you remain humble and find your security in God alone?” May the Good LORD bless us this week.