FEAR UNFOUNDED!!! 1 KINGS 11&12
God promised Jeroboam that He/God would take away from Solomon, and give ten tribes to Jeroboam!!! God also promised that He/God would Bless him with ownership of Israel if Jeroboam would obey God!!! Because of fear Jeroboam allowed the people to set up places nearby for the people to worship idols, which was meant to keep his subjects from returning to Solomon’s son!!!
1 Kings 11:34 “ ‘But I will not take the whole kingdom out of Solomon’s hand; I have made him ruler all the days of his life for the sake of David my servant, whom I chose and who obeyed my commands and decrees. 35 I will take the kingdom from his son’s hands and give you the ten tribes. 36 I will give one tribe to his son so that David my servant may always have a lamp before me in Jerusalem, the city where I chose to put my Name. 37 However, as for you, I will take you, and you will rule over all that your heart desires; you will be king over Israel. 38 If you do whatever I command you and walk in obedience to me and do what is right in my eyes by obeying my decrees and commands, as David my servant did, I will be with you. I will build you a dynasty as enduring as the one I built for David and will give Israel to you. 39 I will humble David’s descendants because of this, but not forever.’ ”
1 Kings 12:31 Jeroboam built shrines on high places and appointed priests from all sorts of people, even though they were not Levites. 32 He instituted a festival on the fifteenth day of the eighth month, like the festival held in Judah, and offered sacrifices on the altar. This he did in Bethel, sacrificing to the calves he had made. And at Bethel he also installed priests at the high places he had made,
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It's incredible how certain Bible verses just stick with you, isn't it? When I was looking through some of the most impactful scriptures, I often think about passages like 1 Kings 3:12, where God grants Solomon wisdom because he asked for understanding to govern his people wisely, not for riches or long life. It reminds us of the profound importance of seeking God's guidance above all else. This divine wisdom is exactly what we need when faced with fear and uncertainty. The story of Jeroboam in 1 Kings 11-12, which we just explored, is a powerful illustration of this. God had made such an incredible, unfailing promise to him – to give him ten tribes and build him an enduring dynasty if he would only obey. Yet, despite such a clear and divine assurance, Jeroboam allowed fear to creep in. He feared his subjects returning to Solomon's son, and in that fear, he forgot the safety of God's promises. He chose to set up idols and non-Levite priests, completely disrespecting God's command. It's a stark reminder that even when God lays out His plan, our human fears can make us question His faithfulness. I've personally found myself in similar situations, maybe not on the scale of a kingdom, but certainly in my own life. There have been times when God has clearly shown me a path or given me a promise, and then as soon as a challenge arises, that familiar knot of fear starts to tighten. It's so easy to forget that God has given us the safety of His promises in Scripture. This phrase truly speaks to my heart. His Word is not just a collection of stories; it's a bedrock of truth and reassurance that we can lean on when the waves of anxiety crash around us. When I feel that fear start to take hold, I turn to other 'best bible verses' that remind me of God's unfailing presence and power. For instance, Isaiah 41:10 is a huge comfort: 'So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.' What a promise! It tells us not just that we shouldn't fear, but why – because He is with us, He is our God, and He will strengthen us. Another verse that always brings peace is Philippians 4:6-7: 'Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.' This isn't just about wishing away fear; it's an active instruction to pray and trust, and the result is a peace that truly defies logic. And who can forget Joshua 1:9? 'Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.' This was said to Joshua as he was about to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land – a daunting task! It's a reminder that courage isn't the absence of fear, but the decision to move forward with God despite it. These verses, like the story of Jeroboam, teach us a vital lesson: God's promises are solid, and our fears, more often than not, are unfounded. We have a choice, just as Jeroboam did. Will we let fear dictate our actions, leading us away from God's perfect plan? Or will we stand firm on His promises, knowing that He is faithful to complete what He starts? My hope is always to choose faith over fear, trusting in the safety of His eternal Word.
