2nd Chronicles 11:4. “Thus saith the Lord, Ye shall not go up, nor fight against your brethren: return every man to his house: for this thing is done of me. And they obeyed the words of the Lord, and returned from going against Jeroboam.”
DIVISION. What is it about the fourth generation that makes them so dissatisfied? One cannot question their sincere appreciation of the Lord who for them died. But it seems like something comes over people like an insidious disease That makes them powerless to solve their problems – power they want to seize.
What should we do when divisions arise that divide the people of God? Both sides claim their actions are based upon the unchanging holy Word. But interpretation seems set aside and we get focused on application That makes it almost impossible for an assembly to work out their own salvation.
What is left for us to do when division has made us so small? Those who left us go farther to “the left” that they may appeal to all. Those on the “right” have an attitude that we are going down in defeat. That makes it hard to carry on in weakness when we feel we are less than complete.
But God has allowed division to come; He must have some purpose to fulfill.
In ancient time God’s people became unholy, and division was allowed until One would come who would unite again His own and they truly would be one. To try to “cross-pollinate” what God allows divided, will only be when men are done.
There are those who want to bring together a divided people by compromise. They are really concerned with how assemblies look in the world’s eyes. To try and unify what God allowed divided, without Him would be a futile plan. Our fellowship is through our risen Lord, not on the schemes of man.
What God has joined together; man should never put asunder – But there are those who divide anyway, and it makes some people wonder If God recognizes a division in a marriage, a country or a church; Or if He ignores the decisions of men as if everything stays the same as at the first.
In searching the scriptures, it is plain to see that God really hates division. But because He hates it doesn’t mean He overlooks the reality of mans’ awful decisions. It seems to be that God lets continue the divisive decisions of man - And acknowledges the results that come from that act; though it does not come from His hand.
So, we have to live with the consequences of the actions of our bad choices. And it is not wise to act in our own way in response to all the plaintive voices. We need to carry on where God has placed us, doing the work He has called us to do. God will make right the wrongs that have come when this training time is through.
“Lord God, this assembly is weak because of division in the past. There are marriages that have failed because of division. Our country and the world are hurting because of division. Please help me to promote biblical unity among the people of God and the assemblies of God. I pray in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”