Fall Into Faith

All fall short of the glory of God, yet all are invited to the gift of grace through faith in Jesus.

“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. 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…I will not destroy them but will soon give them deliverance. They will, however, become subject to him, so that they may learn the difference between serving me and serving the kings of other lands.” Because Rehoboam humbled himself, the LORD’s anger turned from him…He did evil because he had not set his heart on seeking the LORD.” 2 Chronicles 12:1-14

Through what lens do you determine if life is good? Do you look at your circumstances, your comfort, or your character? Rehoboam was feeling good. He had gotten stronger and started to flex in the mirror. The text says after they became strong, he and all Israel abandoned the law. Why? Should they not have drawn closer to God after seeing all He had done for them?

Is this not what happens in our lives too? When times are good and life gets more comfortable, does our devotion increase or decrease? How often during times of strength do we skip reading the Bible, praying, and serving? Throughout human history, when the comforts or desires of the flesh are met, pride can increase and pursuing God can decrease.

Consider your own life. Jesus said seek first the kingdom of God. Is that what you do? Is your life centered in Him? Why or why not? The text said Rehoboam did evil because he did not seek God. The Bible teaches us that the best defense is a good offense. We are not meant to play prevent defense with our prayer lives or pursuit of the Lord God. God knows you will find a way to get what you desire, and He wants you to learn to desire time with Him above everything and everyone.

“How long, LORD? Will you be angry forever? How long will your jealousy burn like fire? Do not hold against us the sins of past generations; may your mercy come quickly to meet us, for we are in desperate need. Help us, God our Savior, for the glory of your name; deliver us and forgive our sins for your name’s sake. May the groans of the prisoners come before you; with your strong arm preserve those condemned to die. Then we your people, the sheep of your pasture, will praise you forever; from generation to generation we will proclaim your praise.” Psalms 79:5-13

There is an anxiety that comes with uncertainty, particularly when considering any delay that feels like an eternity. Timing matters to us, and it matters to God. Whether you know it or not, God’s timing is perfect. The difference between us and God is that we do not know what is coming or when things will happen.

How does timing impact the temperature in the room for you? Do you have anything you have been wondering about or waiting on? The Israelites were calling out to God to hurry and take care of their worries. They asked the key question that all of us wonder: When, Lord? When will you make it all okay? When will you ease my pain or answer my prayer? When will that person change? When will I see your power? When will I get through this season?

You do not really care how if you know when. When gives you hope. When helps you get up and keep going. None of us want to experience the burn of the refining fire any longer than we have to. We can look back and appreciate how God moved in the past, but we do not like pain in the present moment.

The people promise God that if He answers their prayers, then they will praise and proclaim. Do we not do the same thing? We say, Lord, if you would just do this thing or answer this prayer, then I would be a better disciple. What has history shown about that promise? Do we live up to our end of the bargain? Faith tells us to praise before we see the answered prayer. Faith trusts the author before reading the next chapter. Are you willing to take a step of faith and praise God prior to the answered prayer? The timing of our praise matters as much to God as the timing matters to us.

“A good name is more desirable than great riches…Rich and poor have this in common: The LORD is the Maker of them all. The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty. Humility is the fear of the LORD; its wages are riches and honor and life. Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it. The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor. Drive out the mocker, and out goes strife…Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far away. Pay attention and turn your ear to the sayings of the wise; apply your heart to what I teach…So that your trust may be in the LORD…Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered; or you may learn their ways and get yourself ensnared.” Proverbs 22:1-25

Proverbs is beautifully wise teaching from parent to child. It is a book of instruction that everyone should share with those they love. It is meant to be discussed and the wisdom within it shared. We spend a lot of time on the internet, but how much of what we read benefits our soul’s best interests? Solomon said apply your heart to what I teach. Rehoboam failed because he did not seek God or apply his heart faithfully. Will we? Or will we humble ourselves and learn what it means to fear the Lord and follow His ways?

Key lessons from today’s wisdom literature: A good name matters more than gold. Is this how we think? Culture says get or gain whatever you can, even at the expense of your reputation. Solomon says God sees everything, and He knows your actions will influence others. Think about how, when Rehoboam sinned, all of the people followed suit. When you sin, gossip, complain, lie, cut corners, or disobey God’s commands, you actively influence others to do the same. A good name matters not just because it will go better for you when you live in ways that honor God, but because you influence others to do the same. Reflecting on this week, what direction are you driving people?

Solomon reminded the people to care about others even though there is a cost. He said be generous to the poor and discipline your children. Generosity costs you. You may have less materially, but you will have honored the One who made the person you are helping. Discipline has a cost. It can be hard to hold people accountable, but love without truth is not really love.

“Therefore this is what the Sovereign LORD says: You have been more unruly than the nations around you and have not followed my decrees or kept my laws. You have not even conformed to the standards of the nations around you…Because of all your detestable idols…will make you a ruin and a reproach among the nations around you, in the sight of all who pass by.” Ezekiel 5:7-14

Should followers of Jesus reflect the ways of Jesus? Jesus did not say you will be known by how much money you have, how many Bible verses you memorize, how successful you are at work, what you accomplish, whether you have many possessions, or by how many followers you have on Instagram. He said you will be known by how you love. What name have you built for yourself? What is your legacy of love?

In this passage, God’s people were worse than the cultures around them. What did it say to the surrounding people that the ones who were supposed to be devoted to God behaved worse than the people who did not believe? What does it say in our world? What does it tell everyone about our hearts when we speak like the world around us, react quickly with anger, worship worldly idols, and seek our own desires? Do our daily practices make others want to learn about our personal Savior?

“There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God. All have turned away…Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit.” “The poison of vipers is on their lips.” “Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness. There is no fear of God before their eyes.” Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin. This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. Romans 3:3-27

Paul said faith in Christ and the fear of the Lord are keys to the kingdom of God. We will fall short. We will sin. We will say things we wish we could take back, make selfish choices, and influence others in ways that do not reflect Jesus. God already knows this. That is why He sent Jesus. The answer is not to hide in shame or try somehow to tip the scales in our favor. The call is to humble ourselves like Rehoboam, turn toward God like Paul did in Damascus, and receive the grace available for everyone.

Today, take time to consider who and how you are influencing others. Hold your tongue so your words are Spirit-led. Let Jesus purify what is within you and change the way you see the people around you. Paul goes out of his way to warn about how words can cause harm. Think of how the words Paul wrote have helped encourage billions of people in their faith journeys. Following Jesus is not just about avoiding foolish talk, but involves helping others find peace through faith.

You will not get everything right today, tomorrow, or ever. But you can set your heart on seeking the Lord. Seeking the Lord beats sin to the punch. Store His words. Taking the offensive by seeking God will help you avoid offending Him or others. When you fall, let faith lead you forward. The blood of Jesus washes all sin away day after day.

Paul said there is no room for boasting and no reason to live condemned. Pride vanishes in light of the truth of our personal failings, but so does the perspective that sin has to lead to death. We have all fallen short, but we do not need to stand in filth. Follow Jesus to freedom, where you can be fully cleansed. Then love out of a life washed white as snow and empowered by the Holy Spirit to love like Jesus.