In my recent Bible reading I have been following the reign of Solomon and the transition to Rehoboam. There is an interesting event that takes place there, where the kingdom becomes divided and it seems to have come as a result of Rehoboam’s decision to follow the counsel of his younger advisors. However, as you dig deeper into the story you will find that God had determined to bring this judgment (division) upon the kingdom as a consequence of Solomon’s idolatrous lifestyle and leadership. It seems likely that whatever Rehoboam had chosen to do, the kingdom would have become divided because God had ordained to do it.
My point in all of this is what appears to our inability to always properly connect effect with cause. Because God is working unseen behind the curtain of life there will continue to be issues and effects that will evade our understanding. It seems to me to be just one more reason that in these days we are to live by faith and not by sight. Faithfulness and obedience is our obligation regardless of what the out-come is or even may appear to be. This really limits our ability to judge our labors by the immediate apparent results. We need to just live by faith, walk in grace and enjoy our God and leave the out-comes with Him!
