DATE: Sunday 5 July 2026
TOPIC: “THINKING YOU ARE TOO SMART TO BE CORRECTED-5”
TEXT: 1 Kings 12:1-24
MEMORY VERSE: “For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.” Romans 12:3.
King Rehoboam’s mind-frame deceived him. He felt he was powerful and could do and undo, but he was reduced almost in a flash before his own eyes. His decision to reject the wise counsel of the older men who served his father backfired. He was rejected as king by the majority (ten tribes) and allowed to rule over only two tribes. Another king reigned over the majority before his very eyes!
Story Insight #7: there is no leader who is irreplaceable. For every failed leader, there is a ‘Prepared alternative’ to replace him or her.
Story Insight #8: all the things he lost because of pride, he could not get back by force. Being forceful does not take a man very far.
We must be careful as believers in what we think about ourselves. Apostle Paul encourages believers to “have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,” Philippians 2:5. Believers are to imbibe the mind of humility and selflessness (Philip 2:3-7). Thinking too highly of oneself as a believer would reduce such a believer to nothing. God is the only One who cannot be replaced and who is sovereign in all His ways. No man is irreplaceable. We must know that in any privileged position we may find ourselves, it is only by grace and not by right, even when we think we worked to earn such a position.
Whatever is lost because of pride may never be replaced. We can prevent losses when we deal with pride. We must kill pride before it does a major damage. Psalm 138:6 makes it clear that God is distant to the proud, but honors the humble. The proud person cannot get God’s attention or His help. Pride puts a man at a disadvantage and blocks access to help.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, deliver me from the pain of regret that comes with pride. Help my heart to draw close to you in humility in Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.