It seems to always happen when there is a lull.  After a great accomplishment or something.  It certainly happened to Rehoboam, King of Judah and Bethlehem.

He had built up the cities in his small region, married, had children, fortified the outposts and was in a “secure” place (2 Chr 11:18-23).  He served the Lord for the first couple of years of his reign while doing this.  But then what?  What happens when that is done?

That’s when Rehoboam rebelled against the LORD.  They abandon and rejected God.

Soon after the armies of Egypt came against Judah.  They were numerous and were crushing the small community of Israelites as after the national split they were only two tribes.  The temple was plundered of the wealth that Solomon had invested into it.  But Rehoboam and the people had rejected the LORD .

Quite quickly they realized their mistake and repented before God.  Because of this God had mercy on them.  He told them he would save them but not entirely.  He would make them servants to Egypt so they would understand the difference between what it was like to serve the LORD verses now having to serve Egypt.

Herein lies the key to nations finding the mercy of God.  It comes down to repentance and humbling oneself before God.

The problem now is that sin is being defined by one’s definition, and not God’s.  People have become lovers of pleasure and not lovers of truth, which is why even among God’s people sin is not seen as sin.

Until we have a revelation of sin and our need to repent and throw ourselves at God’s feet and ask for forgiveness and mercy, we will be in a terrible place.  Individually.

And nationally.

O God, have mercy on us.

Send us your Holy Spirit who will convict us of our sin and lead us unto righteousness.