Day 175, 22nd February: 1 Kings, Acts and Psalms

Are We Opening Our Mouths?
By Gavin Calver

Today’s readings
1 Kings 12:25-14:20
Acts 16:1-15
Psalm 78:1-8

Have you ever wondered what people would say at your funeral or write on your grave stone?

Somehow I cannot imagine that many people spoke highly of Jeroboam, can you? Imagine if the things that were written down about you were all about you turning your back on God and leading others away from Him too..

Jeroboams sin was so great that scripture hardly mentions the rest of his life. You could argue that he is marked because he was a man who went against the Lords plans. He deliberately chose, after seeking advice (1 Kings 12:28) to take the peoples’ attention away from Jerusalem and the temple of the Lord, by creating a whole new kingdom: his own festivals days, priests, gods and shrines. Jeroboam had the privilege of leading and influencing, yet he chose to divert focus off the Lord onto the golden calf.

Thankfully the prophets came and the inevitable judgment was prophesised. You could argue that it was a bit harsh that Jeroboams son was killed but many would have viewed this as happening because of the parents’ sin. Abijah said that judgement would come to Jeroboam because he had done ‘more evil than all who had lived before him’ (1 Kings 14:9).

Paul, on the other hand, is recorded very differently to Jeroboam: His work on earth achieved the complete opposite to Jeroboams because it was in line with the Father’s will. However Paul was not perfect and none of us are. Reading the end of Acts 15 we note his disagreement with Barnabus but are relieved to find that the work of God continues to be blessed. After taking Silas with him, Paul also decides to stop at Lystra and pick up Timothy – numbers of followers increase.

It’s amazing how Paul knows exactly what the Holy Spirit is saying to him. Wouldn’t it be great to hear that clearly? Interestingly though, Paul sees a man begging him to go to Macedonia and yet when he arrives, it is a woman called Lydia who responds to Jesus. The Lord opens her heart and then she opens her home. A whole new ministry begins!

Are we those people who are opening our mouths to share this good news? Jeroboam was stubborn and rebellious. You could argue that Paul was too, but at least he used that to utter the things of old, telling the next generation (psalm 78:2-4) why they should live for Jesus.

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Today’s picture was taken by…
Laura Brewis. Thanks Laura!

If you’d like to take your own picture to potentially be featured on the blog, then get your Soul Survivor Bible in One Year, and take a picture of yourself – and your Bible – at some interesting or colourful location. Then email it to us at editor@soulsurvivor.com.

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