Month: June 2025

Healed How?

2 Kings 5-8

Second Kings chapter 5 includes another miracle performed by God through Elisha.  Yesterday we considered four miracles from chapter 4, today we will consider one from chapter 5, the healing of Naaman of leprosy.  Rather than focusing on the miracle, let’s focus on the heart of Naaman.

In Second Kings 5:10 we find the words of Elisha to Naaman of how he can be cured of leprosy, “Go, wash yourself seven times in the Jordan, and your flesh will be restored and you will be cleansed.”  These seem like simple, albeit specific, instructions.  In the next verse we read, “But Naaman went away angry and said, ‘I thought that he would surely come out to me and stand and call on the name of the LORD his God, wave his hand over the spot and cure me of my leprosy.”  Naaman seems to have some pretty simple, albeit specific, expectations of how God would show up in his life.  In his first statement, I wonder if Naaman feels a little ignored or slighted that Elisha did not come out himself to see him.  Naaman is a man of some importance within Aram but Elisha sends his messenger to Naaman rather than coming out himself.  This is a good lesson to us to not think too highly of ourselves as well (Romans 12:3). 

Naaman goes on to communicate what he assumes will happen before he has an encounter with God.  He assumed Elisha would stand, call on God’s name, and wave his hand.  This might seem unique to Naaman, but are we sometimes a lot like Naaman.  Take a moment to consider how you expect to meet with God in worship.  Are there things you anticipate will happen before you experience God during a worship service?  Do you assume there will be songs led by a guitar or piano?  Do you think the speaker must have a dynamic presence on a stage?  Do you think God will show up if the singers have perfect voices and the lighting is ideal?  Is there a simple, albeit specific, formula that you expect to occur in worship before you think God will show up?

I would challenge you today to consider breaking free from your expectations of how to experience God and to lean into the method that is consistent in Scripture and historically.  Naaman experienced God when he followed God’s direction.  This is when we will experience God as well.  When we follow God’s direction for our lives or for our church, we will experience God and the blessing He has in store for us.  By Second Kings 5:14 Naaman was talked into obeying God and it says, “So he went down and dipped himself in the Jordan seven times, as the man of God had told him, and his flesh was restored and became clean like that of a young boy.”  It was obedience to God that brought about an encounter with Him.  It is our obedience to God, that brings about an encounter with Him today.

-Michael Cisler

Reflection Questions

What are your assumptions, or even preferences, of how you expect to encounter God?

What are the areas in which you need to continue to move toward obedience to God, rather than following your own path?

How can you begin to make that step of obedience today, or what is the first step you can make today?

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God Provides Miracles

2 Kings 1-4

In Second Kings chapter 4 we find the account of four miracles.  These miracles impacted people in big ways and in small ways.  The first miracle is of replenishing oil that a woman used to sell and pay off debts and live on the remainder.  The second miracle is the healing of the Shunammite’s son.  The third miracle is the poison removal from a bad stew.  The fourth miracle is the feeding of a hundred people with an amount of food that does not seem sufficient.  Where each of these miracles is different from the others, I see from the four miracles combined how God provides for His people in their times of need and typically in ways that seem unexpected.

Some of these miracles may sound familiar to other miraculous events.  The replenishing oil reminds me of the widow of Zarephath in First Kings 17, whose oil and flour did not run out throughout an extended famine.  The healing of the Shunammite son reminds me of the healing of the son of the widow of Nain in Luke 7.  The feeding of the hundred reminds me of the feeding of the 5,000 in Matthew 14.  Each of these miracles is similar to other times in the Bible in which God provided miraculously.  However, I’m stumped to find another account quite like the poisonous stew.  The closest I can come up with is the water to wine from John 2.  However, that miracle does not change the undrinkable to the drinkable.

Therefore, I’d love to consider this miracle of the poisonous stew for a moment and consider a couple things we can learn from it.  One that may go without saying is the public service announcement to not eat unfamiliar items we scavenge from outside.  There are many healthy food products in nature, but there are some that are inedible or even poisonous.  Unless we are certain of their edibility, we should stay away from mushrooms, berries, seeds, and plants.

A spiritual lesson to consider is the lesson of dependence on God and His provision in ways we might not expect.  Proverbs 3:5 says, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding”.  There are times God provides a miracle that would seem to align with what we are most hoping.  I think of a mass or tumor found which miraculously shrinks in size.  However, there are also times in which God provides the miraculous when things do not align with what we are most hoping.  I think of a person who dies, but their spouse, in their mourning, responds with honor and dignity, pointing people to the God who gives strength, peace, and salvation.  This can be truly miraculous.  It is God providing far beyond the strength or understanding of a person.  God’s provision is so personal and so specific.  He meets our needs in ways that go beyond our understanding, even when it is not the outcome we want or expect.  This is why our proactive approach to life ought to be to trust in the LORD with all our hearts!

It is a blessing that God reveals in the Bible how He consistently works personally in the lives of His people.  He even uses the often-forgotten miracles like restored poisonous stew to show His graciousness to us personally.  He is a God we can trust!

-Michael Cisler

Reflection Questions

What are some of the ways you have seen God work in your life?

What is a way in which you have experienced a miracle?

How are you trusting God today?

What is something you can trust God with today?

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Helping Those in Need

Obadiah
Psalm 82-83

Many of the Psalms point to our hearts and minds bringing praise, glory, and honor to God.  Some also provide instruction for living, as we find in Psalm 82.  Psalm 82:3-4 says, “Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed.  Rescue the weak and needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.”

Providing help and justice for those in need is a theme we find throughout the Bible.  The Mosaic law supports this (Deuteronomy 10, 15, 22), the prophets support this (Isaiah 58), the gospels support this (Matthew 25, Luke 10), and the New Testament letters support this (James 1, I John 3).  As we see this theme come up in Psalm 82, we should recognize this does not stand alone within Scripture, but fits within the context of the whole.

Psalm 82 verses 3 and 4 stand in stark contrast to verse 2.  Verse 2 asks, “How long will you defend the unjust and show partiality to the wicked?”  We have a propensity to long after our own gain, which sometimes causes us to support the unjust and wicked.  This should not be the case.  Instead, we should defend the weak and fatherless, maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed, and rescue the weak and needy.

The underdog story makes for great sports.   The 1980 “Miracle on Ice” when the USA beat the Soviet Union in Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey.  The 1983 upset of North Carolina State over Houston for the NCAA Men’s College Basketball Championship.  Rulon Gardner, who won gold in wrestling in the 2000 Olympics over heavily favored Aleksandr Karelin of Russia.  These underdog stories are easy to spot, since each team or individual was clearly not favored to win.  However, in our lives, I believe it is much more challenging to spot the underdogs in life around us.

Who are the people we should be working so hard to defend, rescue, and maintain their justice?  Are they as easy to spot as the sports underdogs?  Maybe it is easy to see they are poor, or weak, or needy.  Maybe they are the people who are clearly ‘outcasts’ within our social settings because they don’t match the norms of interaction.  However, maybe they are a little harder to see, but we are still called to defend, rescue, and maintain their justice.  I think of our friends who are close talkers, who interrupt when others are speaking, or who struggle with social interactions.  Do we provide for them defense and rescue, or do we relegate them to solitude and the outskirts of our attention?  Sometimes it’s easy to see the needs of those we can help and other times it is far more challenging.

Putting Psalm 82:3-4 in action is more than giving money to a service ministry.  We can give out of our abundance but we can also show kindness to those in need around us every day.  Be encouraged to look for those in need in more diverse places around you, or in more diverse people around you!

-Michael Cisler

Reflection Questions

Who is someone you see regularly who may be weak, oppressed, or needy in ways other than financial or physical?

How can we provide support and defense for those who are socially awkward around us?

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Jehosheba – A Heroic Example

2 Chronicles 19-23

In Second Chronicles 22:10-12 we find the account of Jehosheba hiding her nephew, Prince Joash, when he was one year old so he is not murdered by his wicked grandmother after his father dies.  Joash is hidden until he is seven years old when he becomes king, which will be included in some of next week’s readings.  This is the kind of storyline we would typically find in fictional writings or movies.

Jehosheba is a hero of the Bible who saves a toddler from the evil schemes of a power-hungry authority.  Consider how Moses was saved under Pharaoh’s reign, or Jesus during the time of King Herod.  Even with this heroic act, we know little about Jehosheba.  She was the daughter of King Jehoram and married the priest Jehoiada.  These are two historical figures most people know little about.  Her husband led a rebellion to instill the rightful heir of David to the throne in Jerusalem.  Her father was so evil the Bible says that when he died it was to no one’s regret (2 Chron. 21:20).

I want us to consider this last fact, the daughter of a wicked king performed a righteous act that preserved the line of David.  We all come from somewhere.  I know some whose parents, although not perfect, may be considered by the Bible as ‘wise’ or ‘righteous’.  They follow(ed) the ways of God and set a great example for their children.  I am thankful that this is the experience I have.  However, I also know some whose parents may be considered by the Bible as ‘foolish’ or ‘unrighteous’.  They follow(ed) their own ways or the ways of the world, giving no regard to God, and setting a poor example for their children.  This would have been the experience of Jehosheba.  As she grew up she would have witnessed terrible things.  It is very easy to follow the lead set for us by our parents.

As an adult, Jehosheba chose to do the right thing no matter the influence of others in her past.  She made a choice to help rather than harm.  She chose righteousness, not evil.  It may be a challenge for us to move beyond the example set for us by others, even our parents, if that example was negative.  However, we can see from the example of Jehosheba that we can do it.  We can choose to help rather than harm.  We can choose righteousness, not evil.  Our past does not have to dictate how we choose to live today.

When we choose to do the right thing, it will often not look like saving a toddler from an evil Queen.  This was Jehosheba’s heroic act, not ours.  Sometimes our right action might be showing kindness to someone who hurts us.  If our example in life has been returning an insult for an insult, then responding to an insult with kindness will be a great action!  Sometimes our right action might be obeying the law, when others insist we break it.  If our example in life has been disregard for authority and giving in to the pressures of bad influences, then responding with abiding the law and saying no to temptation will be a great action!

No matter our past, let’s look to Jehosheba as our heroic example!

-Michael Cisler

Reflection Questions

What other people from the Bible followed God more closely than their parents?

What are some of the ways in which they did this?

How could a person overcome some of the multi-generational dysfunctions that sometimes follow them into adulthood, and choose to live heroically instead?

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Hearing What We Don’t Want to Hear

1 Kings 22, 2 Chronicles 18

In First Kings 22 and in Second Chronicles 18 we find the same account of evil King Ahab considering going to war against Ramoth Gilead.  He asked about 400 prophets what he should do and they all said to go victoriously to war.  When encouraged by King Jehoshaphat of Judah to ask a prophet closer to the matter about this, King Ahab’s response is found in First Kings 22:8.  He says, “There is still one man through whom we can inquire of the LORD, but I hate him because he never prophesies anything good about me, but always bad.  He is Micaiah son of Imlah.”  Now remember, it is said of evil King Ahab from First Kings 21:25-26, “There was never a man like Ahab, who sold himself to do evil in the eyes of the LORD, urged on by Jezebel his wife.  He behaved in the vilest manner by going after idols, like the Amorites the LORD drove out before Israel.”  It is no wonder the true prophet of God never had anything good to prophesy, but always bad!

It is noteworthy that King Ahab avoided the truth because he deemed it as bad.  Instead, he listened to the 400 voices that told him what he wanted to hear.  King Rehoboam did the same thing in First Kings chapter 12.  Instead of listening to the advice of the elders, who gave advice he did not want to hear, he followed the advice of his peers.  He followed what he wanted rather than what was best for him.

It would be easy to look at these kings and heap ridicule upon them in judgment.  However, it might be beneficial to consider our own ways.  How often do we gravitate toward people who affirm our immorality, rather than seeking the truth of God?  How often do we lean into confirmation bias, rather than seeking godly ways of thinking about a matter?  The book of Proverbs consistently supports the idea of seeking wise counsel.  Consider Proverbs 1:5, “let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance”.  Also, Proverbs 19:20 says, “Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise.”  Clearly, God desires that we would listen to the voices that speak His wisdom into our lives, even if we don’t want to hear it.

One more thing to consider today.  Sometimes we are the ones who need to hear something from God, even when we don’t want to hear it.  However, sometimes we are the Micaiah’s who have something to say that someone else may not want to hear.  Progress in these situations slowly, discerning God’s wisdom to speak in love.  Ephesians 4:15 says, “Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.”  The words we speak must be spoken in love.  Our goal of speaking should be for us to grow into Christ together.  

Listen to God’s Word, especially if you don’t want to hear it.  Speak to others in love, especially when they might not want to hear God’s Word.

-Michael Cisler

Reflection Questions

How can you actively seek godly voices in your life?

What does it mean to speak the truth in love?  What does each element (truth and love) entail?

When is the right time to speak and when is the right time to be quiet?

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Dealing with Disappointment

1 Kings 20-21

In First Kings 21 we find the account of King Ahab in his attempt to gain ownership of a vineyard owned by a man named Naboth.  After the king makes his appeal to Naboth, Naboth declines his offer.  King Ahab’s response is recorded in First Kings 21:4 where it says, “So Ahab went home, sullen and angry because Naboth the Jezreelite had said, ‘I will not give you the inheritance of my fathers.’  He lay on his bed sulking and refused to eat.” 

What a response to the disappointment of not getting what he wanted!  He’s acting like a spoiled toddler.  He doesn’t get his way so he sulks, gets angry, lays on his bed, and refuses to eat.  It’s easy to see why King Ahab is known as one of the evil kings of Israel.  However, might there be something in this account that hits a bit close to home for us as well?

Has there ever been anything in your life that you really wanted and did not get?  How did you respond?  Have you ever played or watched a sport in which you really wanted your team to win but they didn’t?  How did you respond?  Have you ever worked hard and wanted to earn a promotion or a good grade but did not receive what you thought you deserved?  How did you respond?  In any of these situations, or others when you did not get what you wanted, did you sulk or become angry or refuse to eat?

We could certainly look to Jesus and see how he handled disappointments in life.  He weeps over Jerusalem in Matthew 23 but resolutely follows God’s leading to Jerusalem.  He prays God will allow a different path in the Garden of Gethsemane in Matthew 26 but resolutely follows God’s leading to the cross.  These are two of many examples in which Jesus affirms that he will follow God, no matter the disappointments he faces.

Another biblical example of appropriate responses to things not going their way is the account of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in Daniel 3.  When threatened with the punishment of being thrown into a fiery furnace if they do not abandon God, they respond by saying that God would rescue them, “But even if He does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”  These three were also resolute that even if they did not get their way, they would follow God’s leading.

As we face times of disappointment in our lives, let’s commit to resolutely following God, no matter what.  The encouragement Paul gave in First Thessalonians 5:16-18 would be good encouragement for us in these times as well.  “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”  Even when we do not get our way we can choose to be joyful, to pray, and to give thanks.

-Michael Cisler

Reflection Questions

  1. Has there ever been anything in your life that you really wanted and did not get?  How did you respond?  What is your typical response to any sort of disappointment? Why do you think you respond this way?
  2. What could be some underlying thought processes of someone who regularly becomes angry or sullen when faced with disappointment (not getting what they want)?
  3. How can a better response to disappointment be a witness to your faith in God?
  4. What would you like to do next time you meet up with a disappointment?
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It’s Personal

1 Kings 17-19

I have appreciated the opportunity to read and share my thoughts with you across these seven days. We’ve traced the unfolding drama of the divided kings and kingdoms of Israel. We’ve watched the culture shift, the crowd move to and fro, and the pressure rise and fall, but through their stories, one truth rings clear: the faithful know that wisdom comes from God alone.

“How long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him.” (1 Kings 18:21)

Looking momentarily at my own nation, America is a nation with deep Judeo-Christian roots, as many of our founding documents demonstrate a commitment to God as the architect of the law that governs us. Our motto makes mention of our trust in God, we proclaim His work in our patriotic songs, open government functions with prayer, and swear in our presidents with their hand on His Word. I am one of many who believe the blessings we enjoy as a nation—even in today’s troubling times—can be attributed to the enduring declaration that the God of Israel and the Father of Jesus Christ reigns here.  Sadly, more and more are living on borrowed blessings as the altars of moral revision, self-importance, and political convenience are being fashioned and raised.

Today, we look to the prophet Elijah, who lived as a lone voice for the Lord in a nation God had once richly blessed. Elijah wasn’t trendy or tribal. His conversations with God were authentic and intimate, and he took action as one who was swiftly obedient. His faith was so personal that he was often fully dependent on the Lord even for his next meal—fed by ravens and sustained by a jar of oil and flour that never ran dry. How ready would we be to fight off the enemies of God, to recite and rely on His promises, and even to expect miracles in His name, if we lived with this kind of faithfulness?

Each of us is called to that kind of personal, committed, lived-out faith. It may seem like faith is inherited—passed down through our nation’s heritage or through family and friends—but true faith is never proximal. Hanging with a spiritual crowd, attending high-energy worship services, or serving on a ministry team are not guarantors of a relationship with the Lord.  Personal faith is born in the discomfort of repentance, in the surrendering of fear, and in the offering up of our possessions. These are the intimate things God desires from us. In the abandonment of self, we begin to hear God’s call clearly—and are emboldened because we know our Creator personally.

“At the time of sacrifice, the prophet Elijah stepped forward and prayed: ‘Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, let it be known today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant and have done all these things at your command. Answer me, Lord, answer me, so these people will know that you, Lord, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again.” – 1 Kings 18:36–37

In this week’s reading, we’ve seen that change in a nation is inevitable. I pray that “In God We Trust” will continue to stand as a reminder of our nation’s steadfastness for the Lord. But however long it endures, let it always point us to something greater—our personal relationship with God, built through surrender, obedience, and faith. If the Lord is God, stand for Him—even if you stand alone. Because at the end of the day, it’s personal.

-Aaron Winner

Reflection Questions

  1. What character traits do you find in Elijah? Is there one you would like to have more of in your life? How would you go about adding more?
  2. What choices are before you today?
  3. Which one will you choose? Why?
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The Weight of Waiting

2 Chronicles 17
1 Kings 15:25-16:34

I was rushed out of the room, carrying a kid in each arm, and taken to the recovery room to wait for the return of my wife. The twins were here, and I had no idea what to do. There was a bassinet nearby, but I honestly couldn’t figure out the logistics of laying down one newborn without compromising my grip on the other. “That’s okay,” I thought. “My wife will be here soon, and she’ll help me sort it all out.”  So I waited. I nervously held onto them in a football hold as the minutes crept by. But then the minutes became longer than expected, and my confidence started to fray. I waited with my little ones—without information, without control, and without a clue. In that intermission, I did the only thing I could think to do: I sang. Out of praise, to stave off fear, and to quiet the echoing newborn cries, I sang:

“From my mother’s womb, you have chosen me, love has called my name,”

and “You’re perfect in all of your ways… perfect in all of your ways to us.”

Waiting isn’t for the faint of heart. To be patient is to fight our innate desire for safety and certainty. It reminds us that we are not in control—that our desires are only a small variable in any given situation. If we’re looking for holy ground—a place where our striving ends and God’s sovereignty begins—look no further than the weight of waiting.

As the northern kingdom of Israel spiraled under a succession of corrupt kings, Jehoshaphat began his reign in Judah. He watched the pendulum swing wildly in the wrong direction. But instead of rushing to react, Jehoshaphat paused. He sought the Lord. He devoted his heart to God’s way first, building his faith and fortifying the kingdom—not through conquest or alliances, but by spreading the Word and Law of the Lord and strengthening what already belonged to Judah.

There were no flashy political plays. No dramatic battles or self-promoting power grabs—all of which might have benefited a new king eager for approval. In contrast to war-beaten, idol-chasing, anxious Israel, Judah found peace—politically and spiritually—by halting, reflecting, focusing, and waiting on the Lord to move.

“The fear of the Lord fell on all the kingdoms of the lands surrounding Judah…”

(2 Chronicles 17:10)

Waiting made Israel restless. But it made Judah rooted.  Israel scrambled. Judah stood still.

So how do we wait in a manner that is pleasing to the Lord when life is beyond our control—when answers are delayed or the enemy seems to be advancing?  We fortify what’s already been entrusted to us. We hold our families, will continue using our gifts in ministry, and give consistently with our tithes. We don’t chase what we don’t yet have—we deepen what God has already given.  We also choose worship over worry. Worry imagines every possible outcome.

Worship reminds us who holds them all.  Even if God is silent, He is moving.  Commit to the wait.  Trust in the Lord.  He will act.

– Aaron Winner

Reflection Questions

  1. How well do you wait? How much do you worry? Can you think of a time where your waiting increased your peace?
  2. What is wise to do while waiting? What is foolish to do while waiting?
  3. What do you appreciate from Aaron’s list of waiting activity – halting, reflecting, focusing, and waiting on the Lord to move?

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Too Much Experience

1 Kings 15:1-24
2 Chronicles 13-16

I will be celebrating my 40th birthday in just a few short weeks. To be candid, I’m not exactly thrilled about this milestone—but one thing I am looking forward to is being able to say, “That was half a lifetime ago.” There’s something satisfying in acknowledging that with age has come experience.

One of the longest experiences I’ve had is playing guitar. For the last 1,352 weeks, I have averaged a few hours of play and have become masterful at my style. That’s not a gloat or a flex—just an illustration that I’m familiar with my craft. Much of what I do now is second nature, developed through repetition and refined over time. The same could be said of anyone who’s practiced a craft or trade for a significant portion of their life.

But experience is a double-edged sword. It gives us the ability to say things like, “I’ve seen this before,” or “We’ve already tried that,” or “We’ve made it through worse.” That can build confidence as we develop our approach. But when we rely solely on experience or live under the illusion there is nothing to learn, we may fail to consult the Word of the Lord. We make ourselves the master of our own fate, and in time, we are doomed to fail.

King Asa was a dependable leader. After the division of the kingdom, his reign represented a season of peace and prosperity.  These blessings came upon the whole of Judah because he “did what was good and right in the eyes of the Lord.” Asa tore down idols, repaired the temple, and called the people to return to God. He didn’t trust in his half-million soldiers alone.  He petitioned the Lord for help:

“Lord, there is no one like you to help the powerless against the mighty. Help us, Lord our God, for we rely on you, and in your name we have come against this vast army. Lord, you are our God; do not let mere mortals prevail against you.” – 2 Chronicles 14:11

As a result God delivered Asa and the people of Judah.  In gratitude and commitment, Asa responded in worship.  His people offered a tremendous sacrifice as a wholehearted oath to their Deliverer. Again, the Lord gave them a season of rest.

But in Asa’s 36th year—after decades of faithfulness—something changed. Faced with conflict, he no longer sought the Lord. Instead, he relied on his own strategy, forming a treaty with a foreign power. The prophet Hanani rebuked him:

“Were not the Cushites and Libyans a mighty army with great numbers of chariots and horsemen? Yet when you relied on the Lord, he delivered them into your hand. For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. You have done a foolish thing, and from now on you will be at war.” – 2 Chronicles 16:8–9

The temptation to take matters into our own hands often comes not in times of scarcity, but in times of prosperity.  Our experience, knowledge, notoriety, or wealth can make us feel capable, but no matter our breadth or depth, we each have  blind spots and limitations that fall far short of the omniscience of our Heavenly Father.  This is the great irony: the more experienced we become in serving the Lord, the more we should rely on His voice. If anything, maturity should deepen our dependence, not diminish it.

God is ready to win battles for those who are whole-hearted committed to Him. May we be found among them—not only in our youth or our desperation, but even more in our decades of experience. Let us not confuse our  familiarity with faithfulness. And when we hear His voice—whether in instruction, correction, or comfort—may we respond with the same dependence that brought us to Him in the first place.

-Aaron Winner

Reflection Questions

  1. What did Asa do right? What did Asa do wrong? What might his thought process or motives been when he was doing right? And when he did wrong?
  2. Consider your own life – when did you seek the Lord and He blessed you for it? When did you NOT seek the Lord, but relied on your own strength, decision making skills, and human knowledge? What was the outcome?
  3. What does it look like to seek the Lord and rely on Him?
  4. In what areas are you currently relying on the Lord? Where are you in danger of falling into the “too experienced”, can-do-this-on-my-own trap?
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Affirming Voices

2 Chronicles 10-12

You may be familiar with the book The 5 Love Languages by Dr. Gary Chapman, which gained some notoriety around the turn of the millennium. The premise is that each of us feels and expresses love primarily through one of five ways, and it benefits us not only to understand ourselves but also to learn how our spouse, family, and coworkers prefer to receive love and encouragement.

My love language happens to be “words of affirmation,” meaning I feel loved when people offer praise, encouragement, or a thoughtful compliment. While offering this kind of edification should be part of how we love others at some level, our attraction to affirmation can sometimes replace truth with feeling. When that happens, we may reject godly wisdom in favor of voices that echo our pride.

In 2 Chronicles 10–12, we revisit the story of the rhyming rulers: Jeroboam and Rehoboam. In yesterday’s account from Kings, we focused on Jeroboam’s role in rebelling against Solomon’s successor. Today, we focus on the critical crossroads of the kingdom, seen in Rehoboam’s response to the people’s request: “Please, lighten the load” (10:4).

At first, it appeared Rehoboam had inherited his father Solomon’s wisdom—he asked for time and consulted seasoned advisers. These elders urged compassion and mercy, suggesting he serve the people in order to win their loyalty. But Rehoboam rejected their counsel (10:8), choosing instead to listen to his inexperienced peers—yes-men and blowhards who flattered him for their own gain. He sought affirming voices, not truthful ones, and chose pride over prudence.

Let’s take a moment to reflect on the voices we allow into our ears.  When we struggle in our Christian walk, do we welcome critique from a brother or sister in Christ who lovingly holds us accountable? Or do we prefer the reassuring voice of a coworker who says, “You’re doing fine—no one can live like that all the time”? When God’s Word convicts us, are we willing to change? Or do we search for justifications that let us edit the commands of our Heavenly Father? Are we allowing ourselves to be sharpened by iron, or do we dull the blade with confirmation bias?

Spiritual maturity means knowing the voice of the Shepherd and following only Him. His voice convicts us through the Living Word, speaks to us through the faithful message of a pastor or prophet, and often appears in a candid conversation with a friend. Ready yourself to listen to the voices that challenge your sin, confront your plans, and redirect you toward obedience. God will be there in the battle to meet you, as he did a humbled Jeroboam, with a greater grace and divine deliverance.

“In the end, when Rehoboam and the leaders of Israel humbled themselves, they declared, ‘The Lord is just’ And the Lord, seeing their humility, relented: ‘Since they have humbled themselves, I will not destroy them but will soon give them deliverance’” 2 Chronicles 12:6, 7

-Aaron Winner

Reflection Questions

  1. From above “…do we welcome critique from a brother or sister in Christ who lovingly holds us accountable?”
  2. “When God’s Word convicts us, are we willing to change? Or do we search for justifications that let us edit the commands of our Heavenly Father?”
  3. “Are we allowing ourselves to be sharpened by iron, or do we dull the blade with confirmation bias?”
  4. What roles do pride and humility play in today’s passage? What roles do they play in your life today? What will it look like and sound like and feel like for you to humble yourself before God today?
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