In week four of the “Torn” series, we learned about another king, Jeroboam, who once again made the wrong choice and led his kingdom to be torn apart.

In I Kings 12:25-33, Jeroboam left God out of the decision-making process and acted on what he “felt” to be true, rather than what he “knew” to be true. He decided it was too much trouble for his people to travel to Jerusalem to bring their sacrifices to the Lord. Instead, he created two golden calves and set them up in Bethel and Dan.

He told the people to make their sacrifices to the calves, instituted his own festival day and appointed priests “from all sorts of people”.

Jeroboam acted out of fear that the people would give their allegiance to King Rehoboam if they went to Jerusalem to make their sacrifices at the temple of the Lord. He stood next to the altar following his own plan and adding God in when it was convenient.

Instead, we need to be on the altar doing God’s plan and adding in ourselves when God says we fit in to the plan.

How often do we make poor decisions out of fear over the “what if”s and “now what”s? Like Jeroboam, do we justify our actions because they sound good? Or do we give up our plans and place our faith in God to lead the way?

We would love to hear how God has been speaking to you through the “Torn” series. Leave us a comment!