by Sandra Hansen

What happened in today’s text just amazes me! Once again we see the incredible scope of our Lord’s forgiveness!

King Jeroboam would never be mistaken for a Godly King. He established idols in high places and led his people astray. He was arrogant and even when confronted by a man of God and shown his own sin, chose to attack the messenger rather than heed the Word of the Lord.

But, sin has its consequences. As King Jeroboam stretched out his hand against the messenger of God, it became shriveled and useless.

But, this is the part that amazes me. This sinful King, Jeroboam, who is literally crippled by his own sin, recognized the power of God and asked the prophet to pray for healing. And God did it! He restored Jeroboams hand. All that sin and arrogance! Jeroboam wasn’t one of the ‘good guys’ but God healed him anyway. God was just waiting to be asked. God continues to work in the lives of His wayward children no matter how far off they seem.

Is there a Jeroboam in your own life? Someone who seems too far gone for God to have any impact? Pray for them! God has His own ways of making Himself known to them! Maybe you are like Jeroboam, struggling with sin and the feeling that God is very far away and doesn’t want anything to do with you but He does. God is waiting to heal you – just ask! When we sin, we become spiritually shriveled and useless. God is waiting for us to ask Him to restore us and make us whole again.

Your fellow traveler,
Sandy