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HALFHEARTED DEVOTION
An armed confrontation with King Jeroboam (of Israel) brought a crisis into Abijah’s life. His army of Judah was half the size of Israel’s forces. To make matters worse, Jeroboam demonstrated his tactical superiority by surrounding Abijah’s army. Faced with such overwhelming odds, Abijah acted on what he knew about his heavenly Father, rather than on what he had learned from his earthly father, Rehoboam. He stated that God’s reputation was at stake in the conflict between Israel and Judah. Army sizes didn’t matter; what mattered was who was on God’s side. Abijah’s fiery speech hit the bull’s-eye, and his army gained a crushing victory.
That victory on the battlefield, unfortunately, did not represent Abijah’s true self at all. His speech, true as it was, constitutes the sum total of his good deeds recorded in Scripture. Sadly, King Abijah fits this description better: “His heart was not fully devoted to the Lord his God.”
A moment in the spotlight does not a star make. God is looking for people who will cling to him day in and day out, not just in an emergency. Does that describe you?
PRAYER
Take my heart, O God . . .
READ
For more on Abijah, see 1 Kings 15:1 – 8 and 2 Chronicles 13:1 – 22.
An armed confrontation with King Jeroboam (of Israel) brought a crisis into Abijah’s life. His army of Judah was half the size of Israel’s forces. To make matters worse, Jeroboam demonstrated his tactical superiority by surrounding Abijah’s army. Faced with such overwhelming odds, Abijah acted on what he knew about his heavenly Father, rather than on what he had learned from his earthly father, Rehoboam. He stated that God’s reputation was at stake in the conflict between Israel and Judah. Army sizes didn’t matter; what mattered was who was on God’s side. Abijah’s fiery speech hit the bull’s-eye, and his army gained a crushing victory.
That victory on the battlefield, unfortunately, did not represent Abijah’s true self at all. His speech, true as it was, constitutes the sum total of his good deeds recorded in Scripture. Sadly, King Abijah fits this description better: “His heart was not fully devoted to the Lord his God.”
A moment in the spotlight does not a star make. God is looking for people who will cling to him day in and day out, not just in an emergency. Does that describe you?
PRAYER
Take my heart, O God . . .
READ
For more on Abijah, see 1 Kings 15:1 – 8 and 2 Chronicles 13:1 – 22.
Scripture
About this Plan
This is a 21 day extract of the Once-A-Day Men & Women of the Bible Devotional with 365 daily readings unpacking the most memorable people of the Bible. Daily readings take a look at the lives of Bible characters and include Bible text, a short reading, and a thought to ponder.
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