Bible reading: 1 Kings 10-11; Luke 24:1-35
Memory verse: ‘Of the nations concerning which the LORD said unto the children of Israel, Ye shall not go in to them, neither shall they come in unto you: for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods: Solomon clave unto these in love.” 1 Kings 11:2 (KJV)
One of the secret to finishing strong with God is to consistently obey His commands. With consistency in our walk with God comes many blessings. But one who goes against His will experiences ups and downs that may continue even in the life of the children of such persons.
Solomon, who started well and even had the rare privilege of God’s s appearance, fell out of the way because of not keeping to God’s command. In Exodus 20:3 (KJV), Israel was commanded, “Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” As King, Solomon was supposed to lead his people in keeping to that law among others. But, his fame and blessings brought so many women into his life that he went beyond the normal women he was supposed to have and ended up disobeying God.
The bible tells us in 1 Kings 11:1-2 “But king Solomon loved many strange women, together with the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Zidonians, and Hittites; [2] Of the nations concerning which the LORD said unto the children of Israel, Ye shall not go in to them, neither shall they come in unto you: for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods: Solomon clave unto these in love.” As these women came into his life they brought with them their gods and as Solomon grew old he couldn’t resist the pull from his wives towards worshipping other gods.
The gift of God in our lives is to bring praise and glory to His name. The wisdom Solomon was given attracted all kinds of people to him. The queen of Sheba came and saw for herself the riches and wisdom of King Solomon and was full of praises for God. However, others came and instead of giving God praise they ended up taking Solomon out of the way. He had seven hundred wives and three hundred concubines. It was these wives from nations God forbade them from marrying that Solomon married from and clave to them.
If a Solomon who enjoyed God’s visitation twice could fall out of the way, what about us today? 1 Corinthians 10:12 (KJV) “Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.” Take care that the gift or blessings of God in your life does not lead you to destruction. It was so bad that the king left a bad legacy for his children. The kingship was divided from his house. If not for his father David, whose remembrance came to God, Solomon would have been left with nothing.
Let’s do well to obey God’s commands to the end. Only then can we leave a good legacy for generations to come.
Action Plan: Look inwards and point out areas you have not been consistent with God’s word and be deliberate in your actions towards changing in the right direction.
Bro. Worthmore Aghanenu