Lost Potential

“Then it shall be, if you (Jeroboam) heed all that I command you, walk in My ways, and do what is right in My sight, to keep My statutes and My commandments, as My servant David did, then I will be with you and build for you an enduring house, as I built for David and will give Israel to you.”

-1 Kings 11:38

How much lost potential there is in the world, I’m sure, is truly enormous.  

Here we have Jeroboam.  He has the opportunity of a lifetime.  God has spoken to him and tells him that the kingdom of Israel was going to be taken out of Solomon’s hands and given to him, because Solomon had turned against the Lord.  And not only does the Lord make him king, but He says that, “if you keep my commandments… I will be with you and build for you an enduring house, as I built for David.”

Jeroboam had the potential to be a great king, like David; to have a honored name, like David; to have an enduring house, like David. 

In the bible there is hardly a more famous person than David.  Most people who have very little knowledge about the bible know who David is.  God honored him and called him His friend, because he loved what was just and right, and hated evil (sin).  Even though David wasn’t perfect, his repentant heart and love for God put him in a special place in the heart of God.  So God blessed him with riches, and victory, and honor.  God made him great and his name famous.  Now Jeroboam had this same opportunity.

But, unless you are a regular bible reader, you probably have never heard of Jeroboam.  And those who have heard of him probably remember a guy with a name like that somewhere in the bible, but they can’t remember exactly where and what he did.  Bummer, huh?  Especially since God Himself told him that he could have the same great name as David.  Pity, really.

So, Jeroboam missed out, like a lot of people do.  Why did he miss out?  Because he thought his own way was better than God’s way.  He got jealous and power-hungry, and instead of trusting God, he did what he thought he had to do to keep his power.  So, ultimately, his end was shame and his potential lost.

Don’t miss out on what God has planned for you by insisting on doing it your own way.  Go God’s way and he will lead you to riches and honor and life.  He is no respecter of persons.