Jeroboam said in his heart, “Now the kingdom might revert to the house of David. If these people go up to offer sacrifices in the house of the LORD at Jerusalem, their hearts will return to their lord, Rehoboam king of Judah; then they will kill me and return to Rehoboam king of Judah.” vs26-27

Rehoboam did not trust the Lord. God made him king, but he didn’t trust God to keep him king. We do this, when we don’t believe the gospel.

First, perseverance is a gift of God’s grace. He has promised to keep us!

Having chosen us, He will not let us perish. Having atoned our sins, He cannot charge them again. Yet, in UNBELIEF, we turn to ourselves and fail. We fall by Satan’s temptations, and if we are not in the covenant, then we fall away like Judas [Luke 22:31-32].

Trust the Lord to be your strength! You don’t have power in yourself, and all human wisdom is useless. The Devil is too strong. He is Leviathan that no man can pierce: his schemes are too wicked, too clever, and he tempts us to sin against God.

“Surely hope of overcoming him is false.

Is not the sight of him overwhelming?

No one is so fierce as to rouse Leviathan.

Then who is able to stand against Me?” [Job 41:9-10]

Trust in One that is stronger than Satan, and you will prevail.

Secondly, trust the covenant of God’s mercy. Trust God’s love, righteousness, and strength. Every man is saved by believing God. The covenant outlines what we have in Christ:

• Redemption

• Forgiveness

• Adoption

• Election

• Faith

• Repentance

• Holiness

• The Holy Spirit

All of these plus more are freely ours, if we believe on Jesus. We do not have to fear: We are elect, and we will live holy, if we only believe [Mark 5:39]. Everything is God’s gift to the poor and undeserving. Everything is free.

“For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God,” [Eph 2:8]

Thirdly, those who trust themselves always falter. Jeroboam led the people into idolatry, which is one of the greatest crimes possible!

After seeking advice, the king made two golden calves and said to the people, “Going up to Jerusalem is too much for you. Here, O Israel, are your gods, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt.” [1 Kings 12:28]

To turn men against God is hideous and sinful; it leads us to hell.

Jeroboam lost what he could have had! He was so privileged, and so are you: You hear the gospel! Why squander it? Why turn away? Why reject its terms because it is gracious and free? Why refuse holiness as a gift, as God works in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure [Phil 2:13]? He will help you, so why reject Him [Matt 22:3]?

Rejecting Christ is the MOST FOOLISH thing that we can ever do, when the Door of Mercy is so wide open.

The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” Let the one who hears say, “Come!” And let the one who is thirsty come, and the one who desires the water of life drink freely. [Rev 22:17]

Finally, hear me. Child of God, repent and turn from unbelief. Unbeliever, put your faith in Him.