From: June 13, 2026
“But he abandoned the counsel that the old men gave him and took counsel with the young men who had grown up with him and stood before him” (1 Kings 12:8 ESV).
The book of 1 Kings recorded Rehoboam’s response to a national crisis after the death of his father, Solomon. When the people asked for relief from the heavy burdens imposed by his father, Rehoboam wisely sought counsel. First, he consulted the older advisors who had served Solomon. They urged him to lead with humility, assuring him that kindness would win the people’s loyalty. Yet Rehoboam rejected their wisdom and turned instead to his younger peers who had grown up with him in privilege and power.
His failure was not a lack of access to wise counsel. The tragedy was that he abandoned it. The older men understood leadership, government, and human nature. The younger men told Rehoboam what he wanted to hear. They encouraged domination instead of service and harshness instead of compassion. Rehoboam followed their counsel. As a result, the kingdom was divided.
We must examine our own hearts when seeking counsel. Are we truly looking for wisdom, or are we searching for approval? It is easy to surround ourselves with voices that affirm our desires rather than challenge our thinking. Wise counsel often requires humility, repentance, patience, and a willingness to serve others before ourselves.
When God’s Word and godly counselors speak truth into our lives, we must resist the temptation to dismiss what we do not want to hear. The question is not whether wisdom is available. The question is whether we will receive it. When we seek counsel, may we ask ourselves honestly: Do we really want advice or approval?
PRAYER: Dear Father, give us humble and teachable hearts. Help us welcome wise counsel, especially when it challenges our pride or desires. Protect us from surrounding ourselves with voices that merely affirm what we already want. Grant us the wisdom to receive Your truth and the strength to obey it. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: June 13, 2025
“For when Solomon was old his wives turned away his heart after other gods, and his heart was not wholly true to the Lord his God, as was the heart of David his father” (1 Kings 11:4 ESV).
Solomon began his reign as king of Israel well. He was devoted to the Lord and his father David’s faithful example. Yet, as he grew older, prosperity and his love of foreign women began to turn his head. He not only allowed them to worship foreign gods, he actually built altars and shrines for them.
Solomon started well but finished poorly. How will you finish? Will your devotion and service for Christ increase as you age or will your faithfulness wane? Where are the elders whose hearts burn ever brighter with age? Who will be like Caleb who at 85 years declared his devotion to the Lord, asking to take on the mountains and the giants of Hebron (Joshua 14:10-12)? Or who will be like the apostle Paul who said, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful” (2 Tim. 4:7).
Let us seek to be faithful to the Lord in all things, even more as the Day approaches.
PRAYER: Dear Father, You are always faithful, but we often fall short. Strengthen us as we grow older. For we might be tempted to depend on other things or to become lax in our commitment to You. We want to finish well. In the end, we want to hear Your Son’s voice say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” In His name we pray, amen.
From: June 13, 2024
“So Israel has been in rebellion against the house of David to this day” (1 Kings 12:19 ESV).
The ten tribes of Israel rebelled against the House of David and rejected his grandson, Rehoboam as king. The author of this book commented that Israel was still in a state of rebellion during the time of his writing. He spoke of a political reality. Yet, his observation was Spirit inspired and had a spiritual fulfillment. For centuries later when it came time for the long awaited Messiah from the House of David to appear, Israel rejected him too.
Those, whether Jew or Gentile, who have rejected Jesus as King are in rebellion to this day. Yet there is coming a day when many in Israel will turn to Jesus and believe. Indeed, the beginning of such a revival may already be upon us.
PRAYER: Dear Father, we too were once in rebellion against Your Son, but we have repented and believed. Thank You for Your grace and salvation. Strengthen us to share our testimony of faith to everyone that they might believe as well. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: June 13, 2023
“Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do” (Acts 9:6 NLT).
While heading to the city of Damascus to persecute Christians, Saul encountered the living Lord Jesus on the way. When Saul understood that it was Jesus speaking to him, he asked one of the most important questions a believer can ask. He asked what Jesus wanted him to do. He knew that his former purpose and plans had been forever changed because of his encounter with Christ. From now on, Saul, who was later known as “Paul,” would no longer do his own will, but he would do the will of God in Christ Jesus.
Our human will is in opposition to God’s will. This is the reality of our fallen nature. Yet when we place our faith in Christ Jesus, we are given a new nature. This new nature wants to do God’s will. It asks the right question in every situation it faces: “Lord Jesus, what do you want me to do?” However, the old nature still remains and its will constantly wars against the new nature.
How do we overcome this old nature? We overcome it by faith in Jesus and by constantly praying, “Lord, what do you want me to do?” We walk in the Spirit always responding to Christ’s call.
PRAYER: Dear Father, as we begin a new day, what do you want us to do with it? Every day is a gift and a blessing from You. Thank You. Now lead, guide and direct us. We want Your will, not ours. Strengthen us to do Your will. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: June 13, 2016
The ten tribes of Israel rebelled against the House of David and rejected his grandson, Rehoboam as king. The author of this book commented that Israel was still in a state of rebellion during the time of his writing. He spoke of a political reality. Yet, his observation was Spirit inspired and had a spiritual fulfillment. For centuries later when it came time for the long awaited Messiah from the House of David to appear, Israel rejected him too. Those, whether Jew or Gentile, who have rejected Jesus as King are in rebellion to this day.