What are the times of greatest vulnerability in your life? We may think of some great challenges that we’ve faced; however, we usually prepare for those times and rise to the challenge. Our times of greatest vulnerability can be those times when life seems to be going smoothly and we let our guard down and become complacent. When I was in the squadron, I would be in the ready room preparing for my next hop, I would read Approach Magazine which chronicled naval aviation mishaps. A recurring theme in many of the stories was “complacency in the cockpit”. The king of Judah faced the problem of complacency during his reign,

When the kingdom of Rehoboam was established and strong, he and all Israel with him forsook the law of the LORD. (2 Chronicles 12:1)

Rehoboam thought he could handle his responsibilities without God’s guidance. Rehoboam’s decision to forsake the Lord was not sudden, there were several warning signs that indicated he was inclined to go his own way rather than to follow God. Here are some lessons from Rehoboam’s life that can help us to stay true to the Lord,

You must listen to wise counsel. Advice will come to us from a variety of sources and we must have the discernment to ensure we’re listening to the right voices. Rehoboam started out his reign as king by listening to the wrong voices,

But he forsook the counsel of the elders which they had given him, and consulted with the young men who grew up with him and served him. (2 Chronicles 10:8)

You must take care of your people. Rehoboam listened to the wrong voices and violated a major leadership principle and did not take care of his people.

The king answered them harshly, and King Rehoboam forsook the counsel of the elders. (2 Chronicles 10:13)

The word “harshly” has the connotation of being hard, cruel, and severe. The result of Rehoboam’s harsh words to the people was to fracture the kingdom. The nation of Israel suffered a civil war from which they never recovered.

You must place purpose over pleasure. Rehoboam had a major task to lead the nation, but he chose his own pleasure over his responsibilities.

Rehoboam loved Maacah the daughter of Absalom more than all his other wives and concubines. For he had taken eighteen wives and sixty concubines and fathered twenty-eight sons and sixty daughters. (2 Chronicles 11:21)

Rehoboam had eighteen wives and sixty concubines, this left him little time leading the nation. Rehoboam was following in his father’s footsteps by having multiple wives and concubines. His father was King Solomon, whose behavior unfortunately belied the wisdom that God had given to him. Solomon wrote this warning to his children,

For the waywardness of the naive will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them. (Proverbs 1:32)

What are the areas in your life seem to be going well and you’re on autopilot? Be on guard for those are the places that we least expect to fall. You can overcome complacency as you keep your eyes on the Lord. We must remember that eternal vigilance is the price of freedom.

Associate Pastor – Discipleship.  The Church at LifePark

Professor of Discipleship, Columbia International University

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