When the LORD saw that they humbled themselves, this word of the LORD came to Shemaiah: “Since they have humbled themselves, I will not destroy them but will soon give them deliverance. My wrath will not be poured out on Jerusalem through Shishak.

2 Chronicles 12:1-7

1 After Rehoboam’s position as king was established and he had become strong, he and all Israel[a] with him abandoned the law of the LORD. 2 Because they had been unfaithful to the LORD, Shishak king of Egypt attacked Jerusalem in the fifth year of King Rehoboam. 3 With twelve hundred chariots and sixty thousand horsemen and the innumerable troops of Libyans, Sukkites and Cushites[b] that came with him from Egypt, 4 he captured the fortified cities of Judah and came as far as Jerusalem.
5 Then the prophet Shemaiah came to Rehoboam and to the leaders of Judah who had assembled in Jerusalem for fear of Shishak, and he said to them, “This is what the LORD says, ‘You have abandoned me; therefore, I now abandon you to Shishak.’”
6 The leaders of Israel and the king humbled themselves and said, “The LORD is just.”
7 When the LORD saw that they humbled themselves, this word of the LORD came to Shemaiah: “Since they have humbled themselves, I will not destroy them but will soon give them deliverance. My wrath will not be poured out on Jerusalem through Shishak.

Today’s title is “Humble Even in the midst of Sin”

Rehoboam, the son of Solomon wasn’t like either David or Solomon. He was arrogant and proud. He had no regard to the law of God. Although he did not worship idols like Jeroboam. He did not worship God faithfully either. He was no better than Jeroboam in many ways. At best, we might be able say that he was lesser evil of the two. God had every reason to be angry at him. We see one of such instances in today’s passage. God was angry at the unfaithfulness of Rehoboam and all the people of Israel who followed the ways of Rehoboam. It resulted in the invasion of Egypt. Have you noticed that the Chronicler here in the bible often shows the underlying spiritual reason for the success and failure of the kings or kingdoms unlike the secular chroniclers who fundamentally shows events after events with no explanations. I believe that’s how we should view all the facts and happenings in our daily life. Fundamentally, nothing happens without underlying spiritual reason. Some of those underlying spiritual reasons may not be so obvious to our minds. Still, it gives a much better view of life than any other I believe. As a result of the unfaithfulness of Rehoboam and His people, Shishak king of Egypt attacked Jerusalem with massive military power that could easily overpower the kingdom of Judah. God did not hide the reason behind the attack. Through the prophet Shemaiah, God clearly told Rehoboam and the people of Israel. “You have abandoned me; therefore, I now abandon you to Shishak.” Surprisingly, he leaders of Israel and the king humbled themselves and said, “The LORD is just. In other words, they repented and admitted that they deserved God’s wrath upon them. When the LORD saw that they humbled themselves, Lord changed His mind and delivered them. At this, some might say, “How could God be so short-changed?” What do you think? Is God really short-changed? I don’t think so. I believe this is what He promise to do in His answer to Solomon’s prayer. “if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land (2 Chronicles 7:14). God knows our sinful nature more than anybody else. He is ready to relent His anger at any sign of repent and return to Him. No matter how sinful you are or what you have done, if you humble yourself, He is ready to heal us and deliver. Have you not experienced such forgiveness and deliverance before? I am sure we all have. God is still the same as ever. If we just humble ourselves and repent even in the midst of His wrath, He will forgive and heal our land. I believe this is the sole hope for our land. The question is, “Are we any better than Rehoboam and his people?”. We should be and quickly.