Do we own our sin, or do we blame others? — 2 Chronicles 12: 1-2, 5-8
We can get comfortable and forget God, but when reminded, will we repent?
Rehoboam had really focused on God his first three years. In fact, many people from all over Israel had now come to Judah because of the idolatry in the land, and they wanted to still worship God.
But it didn’t take long.
2 Chronicles 12: 1-2 (NIV84): “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.”
God brought Shishak to punish Rehoboam.
Then God brought a prophet to warn Rehoboam.
2 Chronicles 12:5–6 (NIV84): “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.'”
What a great response! How often has God brought people into our lives to call us back to Him, and we blame God for our circumstances and get angry with the messenger? And keep in our sin and our arrogance.
Rehoboam repents. He admits his wrong and get this: He owns his sin and accepts the consequences. Wow!
No, I am the victim!
2 Chronicles 12:7–8 (NIV84): “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.'”
God relented because of their humility and willingness to own their sin. But He left a bit of ongoing consequences to help remind them it is better to serve God than other masters.
What about us? When we get comfortable and stop making God our priority? When someone comes to us to warn us, when God brings circumstances in our lives to get our attention. Do we play the victim and blame others? Or do we humble ourselves and own our sin, take responsibility for our actions, and accept the consequences and seek God?
May we remain humble before our great King. May we own what is ours. May we not shoot the messenger and play the victim. May we be ever following after Him.
