GOD’S MESSAGE IN THE PAIN
JULY 6, 2025
TEXT: 1 Kings 14:1–6; Luke 2:35
KEY VERSE: “(Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” — Luke 2:35
God speaks in many ways—through Scripture, prophets, dreams, and the Holy Spirit. Yet one of the most powerful and often overlooked ways He communicates is through life’s painful experiences. When trials strike, they are not always punishments. Sometimes, they are messages—divine wake-up calls wrapped in hardship, designed to expose the heart and lead us back to God.
Simeon prophesied that a sword would pierce through Mary’s soul. That prophecy was fulfilled at the cross, where her Son, Jesus, was crucified before her eyes. But her pain had a divine purpose—it revealed the thoughts and intentions of those around her. Pain can open windows into hidden truths. In Isaiah’s day, God asked the prophet to walk naked for three years as a visible sign to the nation. It was uncomfortable, even shocking—but it was a message from heaven. Similarly, in our text, Jeroboam’s son became gravely ill. The sickness wasn’t random—it was allowed by God to awaken Jeroboam and confront his sin.
Despite leading Israel into idolatry, Jeroboam knew where true power resided. Instead of calling on his idols, he turned to the prophet Ahijah. However, he sent his wife in disguise, unwilling to face the truth directly. This reveals a tragic contradiction: he publicly upheld false gods but privately sought help from the true God. He wanted revelation without repentance and help without humility. His actions mirror those of many today—people who approach God for answers but not for transformation, who want blessings without surrender.
God’s message through pain isn’t just to inform; it’s to transform. When our hearts are humble, pain becomes a teacher. But when we resist, even God’s mercy can feel like judgment. Jeroboam’s disguise was not just a physical act; it symbolized his spiritual state. He lived in deception, even as he sought divine truth.
We must reflect: When God speaks through hardship, are we listening? Are we pretending on the outside while desperately seeking truth inside? Are we being honest with ourselves, or living a double life like Jeroboam? God doesn’t just want to solve our problems—He wants to change our hearts. Every trial carries a message, and every message demands a response.
SEARCH LIGHT: Every wilderness experience carries a message. Don’t ignore the voice of God in your pain.
PRAYER: Lord, open my eyes to hear Your voice in every situation. Help me not to seek You only for answers, but for a truly changed and surrendered heart.
BIBLE READING: Psalms 100-102, 1 John 1
PASTOR MICHAEL OMOLE
