Thurs.’s Devo - The True Church

Read: 1 kings 12:20-13:34; Acts 9:26-43; Psalm 132:1-18; Proverbs 17:6
Rehoboam ruled Judah and Jeroboam ruled the other tribes. Jerusalem was in Rehoboam’s land so in order to keep Jeroboam’s people in his kingdom he felt the need to have his own places of worship. Jeroboam set up golden calves in Dan and Bethel and told the people that these were the gods that had led them out of Egypt. Then he appointed priests who were not Levites and established a new feast that was not at the time of God’s feasts. He fabricated God’s worship making a religion of his own. The people fell for it since he was their king. God sent a prophet to Bethel to prophecy against the altar Jeroboam had set up. He declared that God was not pleased and to prove it the altar would split and the ashes would pour to the ground. When Jeroboam lifted his arm to stop him, his arm stuck and he couldn’t move it. The altar split and the ashes poured out just like the prophet said. Jeroboam had to humble himself and ask the prophet to pray for him so that his arm would relax. He did and his arm returned to normal.
I don’t understand the next part. Another prophet heard about what this prophet had done and tricked him into disobeying the Lord which led to his death. Why????? I am stumped about this story so if someone would like to share their insight I would love it.
In Acts, Saul was having a hard time convincing the people of Jerusalem that he was now on their side. He had probably killed many of their loved ones and it was going to take more than a story to convince them. Barnabus helped vouch for Saul and they eventually believed that Saul was sincere. The church was much freer with Saul now a Christian.
Peter traveled to Lydda where he raised a paralytic from his bed then on to Joppa where he raised the woman, Dorcus from the grave. Those were exciting times for the church.
Our first verse of Psalms says “O Lord, remember David and all the hardships he endured.” It goes on to say that for the chosen Zion he will clothe her priests with salvation and her enemies with shame. He will abundantly bless her provisions and satisfy the poor with food. Zion is a picture of the overcomers - not nominal Christians but sold out believers.
Lord, may we be of the Zionists who are clothed in salvation and walk in everything you purchased on the cross.