I desire to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart. Psalm 40:8.

That, however, is not the way of life you learned when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 4:20-24.

He will swallow up death forever. The Sovereign Lord will wipe away the tears from all faces; he will remove his people’s disgrace from all the earth. The Lord has spoken. Isaiah 25:8.

I can’t help but contrast the clear, beautiful path we walk on with God that is lit by His love – with our chapter today, 2 Chronicles 10… and with every chapter of every life that stumbles in darkness without God’s love to guide them.

Solomon has died. His son, Rehoboam has grown up in all of the wealth and splendor of his father’s kingdom. He had everything except the love God has for all of us. The people ask for Rehoboam to lighten the load of the heavy yoke and harsh labor they endured under Solomon. Could Rehoboam understand living in that way? Could he have a heart for the suffering of others? He consulted the elders who counseled him to be kind and favorable to the people, v. 6-7. Then Rehoboam consulted the young men he grew up with. He didn’t consult God.

When Jesus walked this earth, He didn’t stay with the wealthy, the rulers either in religion or in the civil ruling class. He knew the pain of poverty. He entered into our pain not to tend to the elite and self satisfied. He entered into our pain as human beings. He knows the pain we suffer apart from Him. He would have never told Rehoboam what those young men said, “The people have said to you, ‘Your father put a heavy yoke on us, but make our yoke lighter.’ Now tell them, ‘My little finger is thicker than my father’s waist. My father laid on you a heavy yoke; I will make it even heavier. My father scourged you with whips; I will scourge you with scorpions.” v. 10-11.

What was the result? The result that always happens in this world. People suffer. The kingdom of men was divided.

Almighty, Creator God – Father, Son, Spirit – has compassion on all mankind. God is love and His love illuminates the path that is beautiful. God’s love heals every heart and lights our way out of the darkness of hate, out of indifference to suffering and pain; and binds what was broken and shattered to bring healing, strength, and joy in Him who loves us. He is our salvation and hope.

Let God’s love open your heart to what is possible. On this mountain he will destroy the shroud that covers all nations; he will swallow up death forever. The Sovereign Lord will wipe away the tears from all faces; he will remove his people’s disgrace from all the earth. The Lord has spoken. In that day they will say, “Surely this is our God; we trusted in him, and he saved us. This is the Lord, we trusted in him; let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation. Isaiah 25:7-9. When we truly consider the Cross, how can we not see every human being Jesus gave His life for? He sees. He loves. He saves.

Thank You, Lord, for so great a love for all of us. Help us to walk in Your amazing love for us, for You alone know the way that is beautiful and so very needed.