1 Kings 9:1-7
Have you ever made a bad decision, reaped the consequences, and then realized that someone had warned you before you made the decision? That was Solomon. Up to this point of his life, he had been the wisest man to ever live. He had honored God in his leadership. He had accomplished so much for the honor and glory of God. Then, it all began to change. What changed? Unfortunately, maybe Solomon had become “too” successful in his life leading to some unchecked pride in his heart.
All that Solomon had desired to accomplish in his life, he had succeeded. In particular here, it’s noted that he built the Temple of the Lord and his luxurious palace. He was wise, wealthy, and accomplished. Sometimes we are most vulnerable in our “successes.” How is that possible you might ask? It’s because we can begin to “read our own press clippings” or simply become dependent on our strengths and abilities. It’s easy to see why desperate people know that they need God, and “successful” people wonder what could God possibly add to their already great lives?
I’ve watched it happen over the years. I remember one Sunday a man came to the “altar” to pray. He grabbed me after the gathering, and I soon found out that he was struggling in his marriage. We started with the importance of the Gospel, and he “called upon Jesus to save him!” Then…I never saw him again. A couple of weeks later I asked his cousin (who attended our church at the time) what had happened. He simply told me that his cousin’s marriage got better. What I realized was that once his life got better, “he did not need God.” Solomon’s life was great, and he was about to make a similar mistake.
When God appeared to Solomon, he gave to him what is the ultimate “cause & effect” of life. If Solomon kept his allegiance to Jehovah God, he was promised more blessings and influence. If Solomon divided his allegiance among other false gods, he would pay a steep price including the loss of generational kingdom influence. Over time, Solomon allowed his heart to be divided, and he fell prey to his temptations. As a result of his idolatry, the kingdom was “split” into two kingdoms with discord and disaster reigning!
Think of it like this: every product has a “warning label” on it explaining how misusing the product will lead to issues. It is there to inform you. It is there to protect you. It is there for your benefit. What “warning labels” are you ignoring in your life? Our spiritual growth is an “everyday commitment.” Solomon had so much success early on as the king of Israel, but over time he became complacent, eventually conforming to the corrupt culture around him. God was not pleased. God’s promise to him unfortunately came to pass.
Take a minute right now and ask yourself: “Am I letting my guard down?” In other words, have you become comfortable in your Christianity to the point of where you’re slowly losing your focus? There’s a clear “cause & effect” principle that God gives to you and me. Whatever we plant or allow to be planted into our lives is going to FOR SURE “spring up” one day, and it won’t be surprising what it is. Pay attention to the “warning label” of Galatians 6:7-8: Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.
All that Solomon had desired to accomplish in his life, he had succeeded. In particular here, it’s noted that he built the Temple of the Lord and his luxurious palace. He was wise, wealthy, and accomplished. Sometimes we are most vulnerable in our “successes.” How is that possible you might ask? It’s because we can begin to “read our own press clippings” or simply become dependent on our strengths and abilities. It’s easy to see why desperate people know that they need God, and “successful” people wonder what could God possibly add to their already great lives?
I’ve watched it happen over the years. I remember one Sunday a man came to the “altar” to pray. He grabbed me after the gathering, and I soon found out that he was struggling in his marriage. We started with the importance of the Gospel, and he “called upon Jesus to save him!” Then…I never saw him again. A couple of weeks later I asked his cousin (who attended our church at the time) what had happened. He simply told me that his cousin’s marriage got better. What I realized was that once his life got better, “he did not need God.” Solomon’s life was great, and he was about to make a similar mistake.
When God appeared to Solomon, he gave to him what is the ultimate “cause & effect” of life. If Solomon kept his allegiance to Jehovah God, he was promised more blessings and influence. If Solomon divided his allegiance among other false gods, he would pay a steep price including the loss of generational kingdom influence. Over time, Solomon allowed his heart to be divided, and he fell prey to his temptations. As a result of his idolatry, the kingdom was “split” into two kingdoms with discord and disaster reigning!
Think of it like this: every product has a “warning label” on it explaining how misusing the product will lead to issues. It is there to inform you. It is there to protect you. It is there for your benefit. What “warning labels” are you ignoring in your life? Our spiritual growth is an “everyday commitment.” Solomon had so much success early on as the king of Israel, but over time he became complacent, eventually conforming to the corrupt culture around him. God was not pleased. God’s promise to him unfortunately came to pass.
Take a minute right now and ask yourself: “Am I letting my guard down?” In other words, have you become comfortable in your Christianity to the point of where you’re slowly losing your focus? There’s a clear “cause & effect” principle that God gives to you and me. Whatever we plant or allow to be planted into our lives is going to FOR SURE “spring up” one day, and it won’t be surprising what it is. Pay attention to the “warning label” of Galatians 6:7-8: Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.
Posted in Devotional