A Daily Purpose

Bible Study & Devotional Day 166

Guiding Scriptures: 1 Kings 14:5 ‘But the Lord had told Ahijah, “Jeroboam’s wife is coming to ask you about her son, for he is ill, and you are to give her such and such an answer. When she arrives, she will pretend to be someone else.”

🔴Disguises

Written by: Torrie Slaughter

Have you ever pretended to be someone else to gain information? Perhaps you’ve changed your voice over the phone or asked someone to hide your identity and work on your behalf. No matter the circumstance, most of us have disguised ourselves at some point.

In November 2018, I shared a spoken word poem titled, ‘I’m Just Saying‘ and the opening line, “My mask was so big, my disguise so elaborate I would be in these streets…Walmart, and my own mother didn’t recognize me.”

Camouflage

I suffered at the hand of guilt and shame for years, searching for answers to the dying things in my life. I hadn’t realized I needed to repent of my sins. Failure to follow God’s plan kept me from my purpose. But God! He profoundly got my attention because someone DID recognize me and asked, ‘Who are you trying to be?’

In today’s reading, the consequences that befell Jeroboam’s family begins to manifest. He asks his wife to disguise herself to receive confirmation. We read in 1 Kings 11:29-40 that God sent Ahijah to remind Jeroboam of the covenant. If King Jeroboam followed the commands, he would prosper.

Corruption

King Jeroboam did evil in the sight of the Lord (1 Kings 12:25-33), and like Adam and Eve(Genesis 3:10), the impulse was to hide. When we seek answers, we may not want to admit our mistakes or trust God to provide. It is in those moments we cover the most significant part of our relationship with our Savior. The opportunity for others to witness His mighty work.

Lesson

As you read through the chaos, ask the Lord to give you clarity. While we may not understand all the details of our lives, we can request the Holy Spirit to direct our paths. Please take off your disguise, for no one lights a lamp and places it under a basket.

Prayer: Lord, you gave us your light, a reflection of your mercy. Please help us to follow you with our whole lives. Uncover the deceit and the high luxury we’ve placed our idols. Let us praise you in everything from the giving of our time to our attention to detail. Break our hearts for what breaks yours. We desire to honor You and present ourselves as your servants. Amen

Torrie is a media ministry consultant who works with churches and faith driven organizations to build their ministry team. She is the Blueprint Specialist uncovering root problems to construct solutions. Want to hear more? Tune in and listen to A Daily Purpose Bible Study & Devotional a podcast by Our Given Purpose and on Fridays to Talking on Purpose with Torrie the Podcast. Torrie also hosts a YouTube channel of the same name.