Our Old Testament reading for today (2 Chronicles 12) tells of Solomon’s son Rehoboam and his first "official act" as the first king of the divided kingdom of Judah (often referred to as “Israel” in Chronicles since the Chronicler doesn't cover the northern kingdom called “Israel” in Kings). Rehoboam’s first official act as king was to be invaded and overwhelmed by Shishak, the king of Egypt (2 Chron 12:6). God makes it plain that this crisis was brought about because Rehoboam and his people were not following God. Rehoboam and all the people repent, and God acts to remove the Egyptian threat. Notice just a smattering of verses from this story—
We aren't very good at grovelling, are we? We tend to apologize by defending our actions as if they were really understandable reactions to circumstances beyond our control. We say things like, “I sorry I said those things, but I had this really bad day at work…” That suggests that our really bad day somehow justifies (or at least mitigates responsibility for) our bad behavior.
One guy that I once went to school with did some terrible things that created some very serious legal problmes for him (and even more serious problems with God). He went forward one Sunday night to "repent," and part of his statement to the church was to read a couple of passages on forgiveness and inform the church that they were now required to forgive him. That not really repentance, is it?
Even Rehoboam, who was no spiritual giant, understood that repentance meant throwing down all pretext of pride and falling down before God begging for His grace. We would be better at repenting—to God or to one another—if we understood this as well.
- “The leaders of Israel and the king humbled themselves” (6)
- “The LORD saw that they humbled themselves” (7)
- “Since they have humbled themselves” (7)
- “Because Rehoboam humbled himself, the LORD’s anger turned from him” (12)
We aren't very good at grovelling, are we? We tend to apologize by defending our actions as if they were really understandable reactions to circumstances beyond our control. We say things like, “I sorry I said those things, but I had this really bad day at work…” That suggests that our really bad day somehow justifies (or at least mitigates responsibility for) our bad behavior.
One guy that I once went to school with did some terrible things that created some very serious legal problmes for him (and even more serious problems with God). He went forward one Sunday night to "repent," and part of his statement to the church was to read a couple of passages on forgiveness and inform the church that they were now required to forgive him. That not really repentance, is it?
Even Rehoboam, who was no spiritual giant, understood that repentance meant throwing down all pretext of pride and falling down before God begging for His grace. We would be better at repenting—to God or to one another—if we understood this as well.
2 comments:
The key ingredient to repenting before the Lord as seen in the story (in my opinion. . . sir) is the realization of sin as it was put forth in the end of verse 5 by the profit before Rehoboam and the leaders of Judah, that was followed by the humbling of themselves before the Lord. Before that time they had abandoned the Lord and appeared to be unaware and callus toward their need to return until it was brought to their attention by the Lord as recorded in His word.
When we have done wrong and come to the realization of having sin in our lives, because of some catalyst that pricks our conscience and causes us to do the right thing, we humble ourselves as we come and repent before the Lord in prayer through Christ by way of the Holy Ghost. We should speak with a humility in private and public, having an attitude of asking for (not demanding) forgiveness. (Undeserved favor is not a right or something to be taken; A priceless gift reserved for those who seek and ask with a humble heart)
If we have had a bad day, a bad week or a bad year that does not justify (or make less severe, serious, or painful our actions and it does not lessen the gravity or culpability of our responsibility for) the bad behavior. The realization of the bad behavior and the stopping of that bad action does not immediately undo the damage however it does open the door for healing to enter in. Is it the ending of bad behavior and a positive change in attitude, an outward sign of an inward change?
At the end of the day and of our life we all need to humble ourselves, recognizing it is only by His grace and mercy that we are able to stand, washed and justified in His love and our need to reach out and help one another on the way.
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