Listen

            In I Kings 11 a new theme is introduced in the text.  This new theme of "listening" appears in 11:38, 12:15, 12:16, and 12:24.  The first one is directed toward Jeroboam, telling him that if he listens to all that God commands him, God will be with him and build him a sure house."  Unfortunately, it is almost immediately after becoming king that fears and insecurities begin to surface about his rule and he turns from God's commandments by instituting his own standards for worship.  He was afraid that when his people had to travel to Jerusalem of Judah (that one tribe still under the rule of Rehoboam) to worship, that their heart would turn against him.  It is often our fears and insecurities that cause us to cling and manipulate others.  We desperately want to hold on to what gives us the most security, and without realizing it, we drive a wedge between ourselves and those we love.  Love let's go…it is trustworthy...it is patient…it is kind…it is merciful.   I feel sorry for Jeroboam.  He was a common taskmaster raised to the level of king.  I can understand his insecurities.  If he had just taken to heart what God had told him from the very beginning---"I will build you a sure house…if you listen to Me."  He should have known that the first requirement for a new king was to read and rewrite Genesis to Deuteronomy as recorded by Moses in Deuteronomy 17.  If he had done this he would have been aware that the sin which he was about to commit was strictly forbidden—he set up golden calves to be worshipped.  He tried to make the presence of God easy to find and visible to worship, in order for him to hold on to his sense of authority and control.  Humbling ourselves is always the truest entrance to the throne of God.  This requires trust in a God who is able, when we are not.

            When my son Jonathan was 15, he had traveled with me to a conference where we worked for three days.  Because he wanted to get home to be with his friends in church the next day, I had to drive through the night.  I was exhausted but I wanted to do this for him because he had worked so hard.  So there we were…all five of us…I was sitting on the end, near my son David, then my wife Debbie, then Jennifer, and last, on the end was Jonathan….all sprawled out, looking like a lazy bum.  I couldn't take it any more, so I sent him a note, which said simply, "Jonathan, please sit up and look attentive in God's house, and use mom's Bible.  Thanks for listening to my instruction…manhood lesson #1, a will to obey."  Well,  to make a long story short (you can hear the longer and humorous version on the Strong-Willed Parent audio), I was about to threaten him with the punishment of staying in his room for the rest of his life!—until I heard the clear voice of God speaking to my heart…no not an audible voice, but that unmistakable voice of God.  And this is what I heard that day: "he is in MY HOUSE, not yours, and he is here."  My eyes were opened!  Worship for me was to have my family looking the part that I required. Looking whole.  I had forgotten that God's house was not for the healthy but for the sick.  Jesus said, "Those who are well need not a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means, 'I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.' For I came not to call the righteous, but sinner."  My son was in need of mercy that day…but I gave him a structure of worship…to make me feel like I was in control. Oh so often we use God as an excuse to control the lives of others. When mercy is our motive, our fears will loosen their grip, and those of us who need healing will start becoming whole.