How To Win The Obstacle Course? (Lesson 3)

When we put our trust in God, we can identify an obstacle when we see it.

1 Kings 12:28-33 NASB

(28)  So the king consulted, and made two golden calves, and he said to them, "It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem; behold your gods, O Israel, that brought you up from the land of Egypt."

(29)  He set one in Bethel, and the other he put in Dan.

(30)  Now this thing became a sin, for the people went to worship before the one as far as Dan.

(31)  And he made houses on high places, and made priests from among all the people who were not of the sons of Levi.

(32)  Jeroboam instituted a feast in the eighth month on the fifteenth day of the month, like the feast which is in Judah, and he went up to the altar; thus he did in Bethel, sacrificing to the calves which he had made. And he stationed in Bethel the priests of the high places which he had made.

(33)  Then he went up to the altar which he had made in Bethel on the fifteenth day in the eighth month, even in the month which he had devised in his own heart; and he instituted a feast for the sons of Israel and went up to the altar to burn incense.

Believe God and avoid insanity.  Jeroboam’s fear and insecurity has driven him to do some stupid stuff.  He feared the people would follow Judah and he would lose his kingdom.  He made golden calves and set them up in Dan and Bethel.

When we fail to trust God, we end up doing stupid stuff. 

Evidence of unbelief includes worry.  This is a refusal to accept that God has all things under control.  The world would have us believe that things such as fortunetellers and horoscopes are all in good fun.  The truth is these are examples of seeking ungodly counsel.  It is failure to trust God at His Word.

How about setting limits on our own belief?  I will obey God as long as it does not interfere with all the other things in my life.

It is simple.  God has provided everything we need to get through the obstacles of this world.  It starts with accepting Jesus as Savior and Lord.  

How To Win The Obstacle Course? (Lesson 2)

When we put our trust in God, we can identify an obstacle when we see it.

1 Kings 11:29-31&38 NASB

(29)  It came about at that time, when Jeroboam went out of Jerusalem that the prophet Ahijah the Shilonite found him on the road.  Now Ahijah had clothed himself with a new cloak; and both of them were alone in the field.

(30)  Then Ahijah took hold of the new cloak, which was on him and tore it into twelve pieces.

(31)  He said to Jeroboam, "Take for yourself ten pieces; for thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, 'Behold, I will tear the kingdom out of the hand of Solomon and give you ten tribes

 (38)  'Then it will be, that if you listen to all that I command you and walk in My ways, and do what is right in My sight by observing My statutes and My commandments, as My servant David did, then I will be with you and build you an enduring house as I built for David, and I will give Israel to you.

Believe God in light of the evidence.  Here we see, Jeroboam living God’s promise.  His response should have been yes Lord I will walk in your ways.  Instead, he failed to take God at His word.  He failed to trust God.  He built alternate cities for the people to worship.

We do the same thing today.  We fail to take God at his word.  We fail to trust God.  When we do, we begin to erect things in our life that are against God’s will.

Not Trusting GOD brings Disobedience in our lives.

Trust God and avoid the obstacles  

How To Win The Obstacle Course? (Lesson 1)

When we put our trust in God, we can identify an obstacle when we see it.

1 Kings 12:25-27 NASB  Then Jeroboam built Shechem in the hill country of Ephraim, and lived there. And he went out from there and built Penuel.  (26)  Jeroboam said in his heart, "Now the kingdom will return to the house of David.  (27)  "If this people go up to offer sacrifices in the house of the LORD at Jerusalem, then the heart of this people will return to their lord, even to Rehoboam king of Judah; and they will kill me and return to Rehoboam king of Judah."

Believe God in spite of your insecurity.  Jeroboam was afraid his people would return to Judah if they went down Jerusalem to worship.  His decision to lead the people of Israel into idolatry was out of fear and insecurity.

How should we address our insecurities?  Paul tells us in Romans that we are no longer in slavery to sin where we will live in fear.  He goes on to say that we have been adopted as sons and God is our Abba Father. 

Abba is Aramaic word meaning papa or daddy.  We must remember He who is infinitely high is also intimately nigh. This means our Abba Father cares for you and loves you.  Paul also tells us in Philippians that we should worry for nothing.  We are to make our requests known to God, knowing all the while that through Jesus our heart and mind will have peace.

Obstacles are no match for my Abba Father.

How High is Your Horse? (Lesson 2)

A look at pride and how to avoid its consequences.

1 Kings 12:20-24 NASB  It came about when all Israel heard that Jeroboam had returned, that they sent and called him to the assembly and made him king over all Israel. None but the tribe of Judah followed the house of David.  (21)  Now when Rehoboam had come to Jerusalem, he assembled all the house of Judah and the tribe of Benjamin, 180,000 chosen men who were warriors, to fight against the house of Israel to restore the kingdom to Rehoboam the son of Solomon.  (22)  But the word of God came to Shemaiah the man of God, saying,  (23)  "Speak to Rehoboam the son of Solomon, king of Judah, and to all the house of Judah and Benjamin and to the rest of the people, saying,  (24)  'Thus says the LORD, "You must not go up and fight against your relatives the sons of Israel; return every man to his house, for this thing has come from Me."'" So they listened to the word of the LORD, and returned and went their way according to the word of the LORD.

Don’t be too proud to listen to the Lord.  When Rehoboam refused to listen, the northern ten tribes rebelled.  He sent Adoram and the people killed him.

Rehoboam assembled 180,000 men from Judah and Benjamin to force the northern ten tribes back.  The Lord sent Shemaiah to tell Rehoboam not to fight.  Rehoboam swallowed his pride and obeyed God.

Even if we have made unwise decisions in the past, we can start listening to God in the present.  Rehoboam had to put pride aside to heed God’s counsel.

Is there an area of pride in your life that makes it hard to listen to God’s counsel?