# 1 Kings 14 #soap ## Title: Cheap Imitation ## Scripture: (1 Kings 14:27-28) “King Rehoboam made bronze shields to replace them and assigned them to the officers of the royal guard who protected the entrance to the royal palace. Whenever the king visited the Lord’s temple, the royal guard carried them and then brought them back to the guardroom.” (NET) ## Observation: The people of God had been judged, and the king replaced what was valuable with something that was a cheap imitation. Instead of turning his heart back to God, he continued to try to keep up appearances and make it work as a lie. I know so many people (including myself) who will do this when we start to step away from an honest relationship with God. We try to “fake it till we make it” and hide our issues from the Lord. God already knows. Don’t hide. Realize that God already knows, and He loves you anyway. When we turn our hearts toward Him, He will slowly walk us toward freedom. ## Application: Don’t hide from God. Don’t “fake it till you make it.” Be honest. Give Him everything. ## Prayer: Thank You, Jesus, for always leading us toward freedom.