1 Kings 12

1 Ki 12:26-27
And Jeroboam said in his heart, "Now the kingdom may return to the house of David:
"If these people go up to offer sacrifices in the house of the LORD at Jerusalem, then the heart of this people will turn back to their lord, Rehoboam king of Judah, and they will kill me and go back to Rehoboam king of Judah."

This chapter records the start of how Israel began to turn to other gods under the leadership of Jeroboam. It also records the time when the people of God split into two camps.

It amazed me to see how people can turn away from God for one's own benefit (利益). Have I ever commited such a thing? Because of political power that he wanted to hold on to, Jeroboam decided to turn the people's hearts toward false gods instead. Have he not remembered what was told to him?

'Then it shall be, if you heed all that I command you, walk in My ways, and do what is right in My sight, to keep My statutes and My commandments, as My servant David did, then I will be with you and build for you an enduring house, as I built for David, and will give Israel to you. (1 Kings 11:38)

Only the house that is built on the Lord can stand. This applies to a nation of people as well. Christ should always be our foundation, which we then build on. Did Jeroboam not know that? It was told so explicitly to him!

If you walk in My ways, then I will build for you an enduring house.

How could he be so blinded to think that his golden calves will secure his kingship instead? It made me wonder, have I ever done such a thing against God?

Acts 19 records a similar event, when one can oppose the gospel for one's own benefit. Demetrius, worried about his livelihood, stirred up the people's hearts against Paul and the gospel. Because he wanted to secure his business and livelihood, because of his own benefit, he chose to oppose the gospel.

Sometimes, in our attempt to secure the things in our lives, we might have unknowingly gone against God and His will. We may be trying to secure our grades, our careers, or even the ones we love. In this pursuit of security and our own benefit, we forgot that God is our security, our stronghold.

Let us keep in mind this following psalm which David wrote in response to how God had delivered him from the hands of his enemies.

The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer;
My God, my strength, in whom I will trust;
My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
(Psa 18:2)

Let us remember how he had not attempt to secure his life through his own means, when he made the choice not to kill Saul in the cave, but had entrusted his life to God . He knew that Saul was the anointed king of God and understood that he cannot lift his hand against the Lord's anointed. In trying to secure his own life, he had not gone against God, but had trusted in Him.

God will secure us and our days ahead. 他必定稳固我们。Do we trust Him with that?

But whoever listens to me will dwell safely,
And will be secure, without fear of evil."
惟有听从我的，必安然居住，得享安静，不怕灾祸。
(Pro 1:33)

The root word of "secure" here means to be peaceful or at ease. The security of God gives us no worries for tomorrow.