Taking a Stand

 

    Taking a stand requires gumption because you are choosing to go against what the people around you say is normal or acceptable.  To live a true Christian life requires taking a stand.  You may think you are just living your life, not hurting anyone, but the world sees it unacceptable and argumentative.  It can be difficult to live and speak as God commands.  The world may try to shut you down, but no one can shut God down.

    King Abijah understood this concept.  He had a father (Rehoboam) that went through the rituals of following God, but never did in his heart.  He was the first king after the split of the Israel nation.  He felt conviction to do what he could to try to unite the nation again.  

    Abijah took a stand in calling Jeroboam out for forsaking God and causing a national rebellion.  He saw the King of Israel as this evil person that went out of his way to cause destruction and division.  Worse was knowing that Jeroboam had succeeded.  

    King Abijah of Judah took the stance that it is pointless to fight against God.  No one will ever succeed in that war.  When it came to the war between the two kings, Judah did win.  The odds were against them, but God was with them.  Jeroboam underestimated Abijah because he was young and inexperienced.  It led to his downfall.  God struck down Jeroboam for his sins.  

    Abijah went on with his life and had 14 wives, 22 sons, and 16 daughters.  War is the last direction that should be taken because so many lives are taken.  There is a long ripple affect of pain and suffering that comes with war.  However, sometimes it is necessary.  Abijah wont the war, but he did not succeed in uniting the nation.  God had a reason to keep them two separate nations for the time.

2 Chronicles 13