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Scripture – 1 Kings 14:6-8: 6So when Ahijah heard the sound of her footsteps at the door, he said, “Come in, wife of Jeroboam. Why this pretense? I have been sent to you with bad news. 7Go, tell Jeroboam that this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘I raised you up from among the people and made you a leader over my people Israel. 8I tore the kingdom away from the house of David and gave it to you but you have not been like my servant David, who kept my commands and followed me with all his heart, doing only what is right in my eyes.’”

To put this in context, remember that in 1 Kings 11, the prophet Ahijah told Jeroboam that God would make him the King of Israel and would build a dynasty as enduring as the one He built for David, if Jeroboam would walk in obedience and do what is right in God’s eyes.

As I read this scripture, I flashback to my mother. I remember how she would give me loving, gentle guidance and encouragement. I remember how she would speak to me about doing the right things and warn me not to put myself in a bad situation. And I remember the direct conversations (well really reminders, because I wasn’t talking much) she would have with me when I screwed up. Perhaps some of this example rings true with you.

•  The encouragement: “Sure, you can have the car tonight. Have fun with your friends.”

•  The conditions: “Be sure to be home on time. Remember, nothing good happens after curfew.”

•  The consequences: “Don’t think you can sneak in at this hour. I have been waiting up, worried about you. We’ll talk about this more tomorrow, but you’re grounded and can’t use the car for the next two weeks.”

God sends prophets to us, He sends the Holy Spirit to us, He speaks to us constantly, if only we will listen. And there is always a price to pay when His grace in sending us guidance contrasts with a faithless response. As we see with Jeroboam, as well as Rehoboam, a king cannot properly rule himself or his people without humility and ongoing dependence on God’s help. And while we are not kings, as friends, as spouses, as parents, as leaders in every field of human endeavor, and as ambassadors for Jesus in our lives, we have to keep the same prayerful, humble, obedient posture. Just like with Mom, we are encouraged and blessed, we are given a chance to understand the conditions, and we understand that there will be consequences if we err. This is important as we live our lives. It is magnified in importance when our decisions and actions affect our friends, our families, our coworkers, our church, or our community.

As you reflect on the lessons from the prophet Ahijah (or Mom), consider this:

• What actions or decisions are facing you today that you should approach with prayer?

• Is there a nudge from the Holy Spirit that you have been resisting? Why?

• Is there a major event in your future that you really know you need to approach with an abundance of God’s guidance?

• Can you think of a situation where taking time to pray, to wait for God’s direction, is a bad thing to do?

Let’s Pray.

Abba Father, you bless us in so many ways and you offer us so much more, asking only that we worship and serve you. You sent your Son to show us how to live, how to pray, how to serve, how to love. Through Him, we are redeemed, no matter how we fall short of your plan. Your Holy Spirit lives in us and guides us in all things if we will only listen. Thank you for your gifts and grace. Help us today to be humble, to be patient, to be prayerful, to be attentive and to be obedient. Help us be the best representative for Jesus we can be in our thoughts, words, and actions. Amen.

(P.S. And thanks for Mom. Happy Mother’s Day!) Paul Brooks