READING: 1 Kings 12-13
It’s funny, actually. The older I get, the more I realize how important it is to listen to older people. I wish I had learned that truth earlier, but that’s one truth we often don’t accept until we’ve learned otherwise later in life. In our youth, we’re too much like Rehoboam, seeing little need to listen to older advisors—and we pay the price for our arrogance.
Older folks have gone before us. They’ve walked steps we’ve not yet taken. They recognize dangers we don’t yet know exist. They bear the scars of tough decisions—scars from which we ought to learn. They’ve become walking wisdom to which we should listen. When we don’t pay attention, we often experience anguish and loss.
In today’s reading, Rehoboam ignored the advice of his older counselors, and he instead sought direction from allies much closer to him in age. He chased after advice that he apparently wanted to hear, and perhaps he assumed he would most likely hear that from his friends. The elder leaders had no further say in the matter—and that’s seldom the best scenario.
PERSONAL REFLECTION: How well do you listen to older believers?
DAILY PRAYER: “Father, give me ears to listen to the right people.”
TOMORROW’S READING: 1 Kings 14-17
