"I jump into a sand pit for a living"
Giving up
After Rehoboam’s position as king was established and he had become strong, he and all Israel with him abandoned the law of the LORD. 2 Chronicles 12:1One of the saddest parts of my Christian experience is reflecting on people who were once strong Christians but who have now lost their faith. Jesus predicted it: “Many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved”. Matthew 24:11-13
What makes Rehoboam’s situation seem particularly sad is that the text seems to imply that he thought he needed God “on his way up” but once he arrived, he felt he didn’t need God any more. This illustrates the danger in attributing our sporting success to God. Of course, we can and must acknowledge God as the source of our ability. But if our belief in God is too closely tied up with our results, we run the risk of falling into the trap of Rehoboam feeling that we no longer need God when we are winning.
The truth of the gospel depends on God’s word and the facts of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection. The truth of the gospel is not enhanced or diminished by how you perform in an Olympic final or whether I win or lose in my walking football games. Both are arenas where we can experience God’s presence and express our worship to him but our success (or failure) does not change any spiritual truth.
God is not a “good-luck charm” to help us win.
Let’s us renew our commitment to God unconditionally.