Sovereignty

Rehoboam’s greed and short-sightedness divided the short-lived united kingdom of Israel into Israel in the North and Judah in the South. Yet this was the fulfilment of prophecy that God had spoken in judgement against Solomon. Was it Solomon’s fault, Rehoboam’s fault, or God’s divine plan? The answer is all of the above!

The only reason the kingdom wasn’t immediately taken from Solomon was because of David (1 Kgs. 11:12). God also promised protection over David’s line and yet we see that David’s line no longer rules over all of Israel. In fact, David’s line eventually loses the throne.

Through this narrative we see that God seamlessly weaves together mercy and judgement. He deals with each King’s wrongdoing individually and yet never falters in delivering on his promises. A King from the line of David would one day establish his everlasting kingdom. David’s seed would indeed one day come and make atonement for all the sins of every person who lived before and after him.

Just because God is sovereign doesn’t mean we don’t have free will. He will use whatever we choose for His plans and purposes. That doesn’t give us licence to do whatever we want, but it does give us confidence that even when we get things wrong, we can’t mess up God’s plan.

Thought Point

Have you ever worried that you were too far gone from God’s plan for your life? How are you working towards that plan right now?

Prayer Point

Ask God to reveal how you can be working to participate in his plans and purposes today. Ask him to give you the boldness to live up to those plans.