When Tragedy Strikes
1/22/26 Bible Thought (1 Kings 14)
It’s interesting to observe how people respond when trials come into their lives.
A Look at 1 Kings 14
In today’s text, we see a problem on the horizon for Jeroboam, king of Israel. In the previous chapter, he was confronted by a man of God. Then, the altar that he erected was torn down in fulfillment of prophecy—yet Jeroboam didn’t clean up his act. He didn’t bow in repentance before the true and living God—even though this God both predicts the future and perfectly executes His predictions.
Instead, the story ended yesterday, “After this thing Jeroboam did not turn from his evil way” (1 Kings 13:33a).
It was at this time that disaster struck—Jeroboam’s son became ill. What do you do when trouble comes knocking at your door? You go pray to your idols, right?
Wrong.
The condemning truth is that, all along, Jeroboam knew that the worship he instituted was a farce. Jeroboam knew the calves were man-made, for they were his invention! When a trial came into his life, he knew where to go. He knew who the living God was. A God that out of political convenience he had rejected.
In desperation, Jeroboam sent his wife in disguise to go to the prophet Abijah to find out what was going to happen. As if you can hide your identity from the One who knows all things!
The prophet wasn’t tricked. Even though blind with old age, he knew who was crossing the threshold of the door because God had revealed it to him! Sadly, Jeroboam’s son didn’t get better and passed away, just as the prophet foretold. Even more, Jeroboam’s house would stand under judgment because he rejected God in favor of idols.
Bringing it Home
It’s interesting how trials will draw people to God.
I have often said that prosperity is one of the greatest threats to spirituality. When things are going well, people forget God. It’s easy to fall in love with idols both in antiquity and the modern age when life is good. However, when disaster strikes, that is when people pray. That is when they return to church. That is when they seek God.
They don’t actually want Him. They just want the benefits they believe He might bring.
God, however, has already been kinder to all of us than we deserve. God had graciously given the northern kingdom to Jeroboam. It was not Jeroboam’s rightful inheritance. It wasn’t something he worked for. It was the gift of Yahweh.
When life was going good, God was forgotten.
When life got bad, God was remembered.
While God is merciful, He also knows the heart. Those who merely return for the answer to their problems rather than the healing of their souls will not be accepted. When we return and draw near to God, He will return and draw near to us (Zech. 1:3; Mal. 3:7; Jas. 4:8). Yet, that return is one of the heart. It is a genuine, heartfelt repentance. It’s not simply using God for what He might do for us.
God will not be taken advantage of. He will not be deceived, and we can’t hide our intentions from Him.
Challenge for Today: Am I diligent in my pursuit of God during the good times?
Help me Jesus to stay rooted and bare even before thee, for all my ways are before you. You know my imperfections, help me Lord that I may walk in faith in the Love of your covenant, don't allow me stray. Please keep me focused father and continually draw my heart to you for you love me and I love you too dearly. Help me Father for you hear my cry and you know my heart, in Jesus name Amen.
It is so easy to get complacent when life is running well. We think we have this under control and forget to lean on God. We must learn to stay connected and growing even more when life is good.