“At that time Abijah son of Jeroboam became ill, 2 and Jeroboam said to his wife, “Go, disguise yourself, so you won’t be recognized as the wife of Jeroboam. Then go to Shiloh. Ahijah the prophet is there—the one who told me I would be king over this people. 3 Take ten loaves of bread with you, some cakes and a jar of honey, and go to him. He will tell you what will happen to the boy.” 4 So Jeroboam’s wife did what he said and went to Abijah’s house in Shiloh. Now Ahijah could not see; his sight was gone because of his age. 5 But the Lord had told Ahijah, “Jeroboam’s wife is coming to ask you about her son, for he is ill, and you are to give her such and such an answer. When she arrives, she will pretend to be someone else.” So when Ahijah heard the sound of her footsteps at the door, he said, “Come in, wife of Jeroboam. Why this pretense? I have been sent to you with bad news. 7 Go, tell Jeroboam that this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘I raised you up from among the people and appointed you ruler over my people Israel. 8 I tore the kingdom away from the house of David and gave it to you, but you have not been like my servant David, who kept my commands and followed me with all his heart, doing only what was right in my eyes. 9 You have done more evil than all who lived before you.” 1 Kings 14:1-9 NIV
Lord God of Israel,
Jeroboams wife need not have disguised herself because Abijah the prophet was unable to see. But in God he saw much clearer through the disguise and generous offering. You showed him what was to happen to her husband and answered her unspoken prayer about her son. They could not pull the wool over an aged sightless prophet because they could not pull the wool over You wheo was his sight!
You judged and found Jeroboam guilty and his wife had to take back the message of judgement upon all the males of his family and the knowledge that when she stepped into her home her son would die. Not just him but his whole line would die out.
Father we cannot pull the wool over your eyes as the saying goes. You see completely and truly. You read in our hearts what we sometimes cannot even admit to ourselves! I remember how as a new Christian, and insecure, You assured me of Your love before You led me to repentance. Over the years You have opened my eyes to things about myself that I have needed to confront and deal with. And yet these times have all been because You love me and not because You are judging me (Hebrews 12:6). Thank you that You love me so much You will not leave me as I am but as my Father You speak directly to me for my good. And You know the times and the lessons and the blessings for our good.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Friday 20th June 2025
Holiness holiness
Is what I long for
Holiness is what I need
Holiness holiness
Is what You want from me
Faithfulness faithfulness
Is what I long for
Faithfulness is what I need
Faithfulness faithfulness
Is what You want from me
So take my heart and form it
Take my mind transform it
Take my will conform it
To Yours to Yours oh Lord
Righteousness righteousness
Is what I long for
Righteousness is what I need
Righteousness righteousness
Is what You want from me
Chorus . . .
Lyrics: Scott Underwood