Contemplative Bible Reading

2 Chronicles 2:12 (New Living Translation)

12 Because Rehoboam humbled himself, the Lord’s anger was turned away, and he did not destroy him completely. There were still some good things in the land of Judah.

Rehoboam was a son of King Solomon and the new King of a kingdom that had shrunk to just the land of Judah. Rehoboam had plenty of personal and spiritual problems.

We are told earlier that, “King Shishak of Egypt came up and attacked Jerusalem. He ransacked the treasuries of the Lord’s Temple and the royal palace; he stole everything, including all the gold shields Solomon had made.” — 2 Chronicles 2:9

The end had one foot inside the door. As stated, however, Rehoboam humbled himself. God turned away anger and stopped the destruction. The conclusion is the title to this post. There were still some good things left.

God created this place. God is good. There is much good left here in the middle of all this strife, hatred, division, and filth we call America today. I see kind people walk through this coffee shop where I sit typing these words. I see people who have come through here for 30 years with a smile and a kind word.

Rehoboam had reason to quit. The treasuries had been emptied by theft. There was no calling the insurance company. It was over. Still, some humility brought an end to the ransacking.

Please God, let me not forget to be humble.