In this episode, we address the challenging emotions that come with doubt and uncertainty in our faith journeys. Using the biblical story of Jeroboam from 1 Kings 13, we explore how God offers restoration even when we stray from His path. It's natural to question and seek understanding during difficult times. We'll discuss practical steps for navigating these feelings, how to find hope and reassurance in God's promises, and the incredible truth that He desires to heal and restore us, no matter our past.

Join the Conversation:
We want to hear from you! How do you handle moments of doubt in your faith? What helps you regain confidence in God? Share your thoughts and experiences with us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork or via email. Let’s support one another as we seek answers and strengthen our faith together!

🎙 🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW - YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER: Listen Here

Full Transcript Below:

Transcript: The God Who Restores Withered Things
by Deidre Braley

1 Kings 13:6: “Then the king responded to the man of God, ‘Plead for the favor of the Lord your God and pray for me so that my hand may be restored to me.’ So the man of God pleaded for the favor of the Lord, and the king’s hand was restored to him and became as it had been at first.”

On the day that the prophet Ahijah anointed a man named Jeroboam as the future king of Israel, he gave him this promise from the Lord: “...if you obey all I command you, walk in my ways, and do what is right in my sight in order to keep my statutes and commands as my servant David did, I will be with you. I will build you a lasting dynasty just as I built for David, and I will give you Israel” (1 Kings 11:38).

But Jeroboam—much like most of Israel’s poorly behaved and ill-fated monarchy—did not walk in God’s ways. He committed idolatry by setting up new places to worship aside from the temple in Jerusalem, and he appointed people who were not Levites (God’s chosen priesthood) to be priests over the high places, instead (1 Kings 12:25-31).

One day, another prophet came to Jeroboam while he was burning incense at one of his altars. The man said, “Altar, altar, this is what the Lord says, ‘A son will be born to the house of David, named Josiah, and he will sacrifice on you the priests of the high places who are burning incense on you” (1 Kings 13:1-2). Incensed by this judgment, Jeroboam reached out his hand and cried, “Arrest him” (1 Kings 13:4)! But when he did, his hand became withered, and he couldn’t move it (1 Kings 13:4).

Horrified, he asked the prophet to plead with God for his hand to be restored. The prophet did, and Jeroboam’s hand was immediately restored to its former state (1 Kings 13:6).

This narrative is so much more than a simple Bible story stating the facts. No—what happened with Jeroboam’s hand was an intentional message from the Lord himself. By restoring Jeroboam’s withered hand immediately upon his turning to him, it was as though God was extending an amazing invitation: Turn back to me, and I will restore things back to wholeness. Though you’ve messed everything up, I will fix it all.

Intersecting Faith & Life
How often do we mess things up and then—either because we think God is angry with us or because we think we’re too far gone—we don’t turn back for God to heal us? God had promised Jeroboam everything that a king could desire: his presence, a kingdom, and a lasting dynasty. All that he asked in return was for Jeroboam’s obedience. And while Jeroboam couldn’t even give him that, God sent him a message through the healing of his withered hand that said, There’s still time for you to obey. I still want to heal you—just come back. See, our God isn’t a God who just tosses us out after we’ve made a mistake. Rather, he’s a God who pursues us, again and again, and urges us to come home, obey his good directions, and be healed and whole.

So today, if you’re feeling as though you’ve wandered away from God—either intentionally or unintentionally—and you want to be healed and whole, don’t turn away from him in shame. Rather, turn towards his arms and run—and watch how he’ll heal you.

Further Reading


Luke 15:11-32


Isaiah 57:14-19

 

In this episode, we address the challenging emotions that come with doubt and uncertainty in our faith journeys. Using the biblical story of Jeroboam from 1 Kings 13, we explore how God offers restoration even when we stray from His path. It's natural to question and seek understanding during difficult times. We'll discuss practical steps for navigating these feelings, how to find hope and reassurance in God's promises, and the incredible truth that He desires to heal and restore us, no matter our past.
Join the Conversation: We want to hear from you! How do you handle moments of doubt in your faith? What helps you regain confidence in God? Share your thoughts and experiences with us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork or via email. Let&rsquo;s support one another as we seek answers and strengthen our faith together!
🎙 🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW - YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER: <a href="https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-nightly-prayer/">Listen Here</a>
Full Transcript Below:
<hr>
Transcript: The God Who Restores Withered Things by Deidre Braley
1 Kings 13:6: &ldquo;Then the king responded to the man of God, &lsquo;Plead for the favor of the Lord your God and pray for me so that my hand may be restored to me.&rsquo; So the man of God pleaded for the favor of the Lord, and the king&rsquo;s hand was restored to him and became as it had been at first.&rdquo;
On the day that the prophet Ahijah anointed a man named Jeroboam as the future king of Israel, he gave him this promise from the Lord: &ldquo;...if you obey all I command you, walk in my ways, and do what is right in my sight in order to keep my statutes and commands as my servant David did, I will be with you. I will build you a lasting dynasty just as I built for David, and I will give you Israel&rdquo; (1 Kings 11:38).
But Jeroboam&mdash;much like most of Israel&rsquo;s poorly behaved and ill-fated monarchy&mdash;did not walk in God&rsquo;s ways. He committed idolatry by setting up new places to worship aside from the temple in Jerusalem, and he appointed people who were not Levites (God&rsquo;s chosen priesthood) to be priests over the high places, instead (1 Kings 12:25-31).
One day, another prophet came to Jeroboam while he was burning incense at one of his altars. The man said, &ldquo;Altar, altar, this is what the Lord says, &lsquo;A son will be born to the house of David, named Josiah, and he will sacrifice on you the priests of the high places who are burning incense on you&rdquo; (1 Kings 13:1-2). Incensed by this judgment, Jeroboam reached out his hand and cried, &ldquo;Arrest him&rdquo; (1 Kings 13:4)! But when he did, his hand became withered, and he couldn&rsquo;t move it (1 Kings 13:4).
Horrified, he asked the prophet to plead with God for his hand to be restored. The prophet did, and Jeroboam&rsquo;s hand was immediately restored to its former state (1 Kings 13:6).
This narrative is so much more than a simple Bible story stating the facts. No&mdash;what happened with Jeroboam&rsquo;s hand was an intentional message from the Lord himself. By restoring Jeroboam&rsquo;s withered hand immediately upon his turning to him, it was as though God was extending an amazing invitation: Turn back to me, and I will restore things back to wholeness. Though you&rsquo;ve messed everything up, I will fix it all.
Intersecting Faith &amp; Life How often do we mess things up and then&mdash;either because we think God is angry with us or because we think we&rsquo;re too far gone&mdash;we don&rsquo;t turn back for God to heal us? God had promised Jeroboam everything that a king could desire: his presence, a kingdom, and a lasting dynasty. All that he asked in return was for Jeroboam&rsquo;s obedience. And while Jeroboam couldn&rsquo;t even give him that, God sent him a message through the healing of his withered hand that said, There&rsquo;s still time for you to obey. I still want to heal you&mdash;just come back. See, our God isn&rsquo;t a God who just tosses us out after we&rsquo;ve made a mistake. Rather, he&rsquo;s a God who pursues us, again and again, and urges us to come home, obey his good directions, and be healed and whole.
So today, if you&rsquo;re feeling as though you&rsquo;ve wandered away from God&mdash;either intentionally or unintentionally&mdash;and you want to be healed and whole, don&rsquo;t turn away from him in shame. Rather, turn towards his arms and run&mdash;and watch how he&rsquo;ll heal you.
Further Reading
<ul>
<li>
Luke 15:11-32
</li>
<li>
Isaiah 57:14-19
</li>
</ul>
<hr>
&nbsp;

Are you a Christian looking for a daily devotional podcast to encourage, inspire, and convict you in your walk with Christ? 7 days a week, The Crosswalk.com Daily Devotional Podcast offers wisdom and insight for applying Biblical truths to the ups and downs of everyday life. Let's study the Bible together and through the experiences of other believers, learn how to apply the Word of God to our lives.

Here’s just some of what we cover in The Crosswalk Daily Devotional Podcast:

☕️ Why the Tongue Can't Be Tamed (And What to Do about It)
☕️ The Quickest Way to an Attitude Adjustment
☕️ Your Birthday: The Most and Least Important Day of Your Life
☕️ Noticing God's Blessings in the Hardest Moments of Life
☕️ One of the Sneakiest Lies Satan Is Telling the Church
☕️ How to Push Through the Weariness of Prayer
☕️ 3 Steps to Take When Facing Temptation
☕️ What to Remember during a Stressful Election Year

If you love what you're listening to on the podcast, be sure to check out our companion devotional at https://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/crosswalk-devo/.

Are you a Christian looking for a daily devotional podcast to encourage, inspire, and convict you in your walk with Christ? 7 days a week, The Crosswalk.com Daily Devotional Podcast offers wisdom and insight for applying Biblical truths to the ups and downs of everyday life. Let's study the Bible together and through the experiences of other believers, learn how to apply the Word of God to our lives.
Here’s just some of what we cover in The Crosswalk Daily Devotional Podcast:
☕️ Why the Tongue Can't Be Tamed (And What to Do about It) ☕️ The Quickest Way to an Attitude Adjustment ☕️ Your Birthday: The Most and Least Important Day of Your Life ☕️ Noticing God's Blessings in the Hardest Moments of Life ☕️ One of the Sneakiest Lies Satan Is Telling the Church ☕️ How to Push Through the Weariness of Prayer ☕️ 3 Steps to Take When Facing Temptation ☕️ What to Remember during a Stressful Election Year
If you love what you're listening to on the podcast, be sure to check out our companion devotional at <a href="https://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/crosswalk-devo/">https://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/crosswalk-devo/.</a>

7 days a week, The Crosswalk.com Devotional Podcast offers wisdom and insight for applying Biblical truths to the ups and downs of everyday life.

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