1 Kings 11:1-6
The Christian rock band Casting Crowns produced a song called “Slow Fade” about 15 years ago. The premise of the song is that backsliding from God usually doesn’t happen in a day or by one specific act. It’s a series of small compromises that start a journey away from God. At first, it’s a little compromise here and there, leading to more compromises and concessions until you are far away from God. A line from the song goes like this, “it’s a slow fade when you give yourself away.” Giving ourselves to fleshly desires and slowly turning away from God is the journey many believers make. It’s a dangerous journey filled with hard consequences and hurt. King Solomon did a slow fade of his own. King Solomon loved the Lord and ruled with godly intent. His heart sought the things of God, and he was blessed by God because of it. Solomon’s kingdom grew in grandeur and wealth. As King Solomon got older, his wealth and fame gave him access to many beautiful women from neighboring countries. King Solomon married one thousand wives, had over 300 “side pieces” to go along with his wives. Think about how far Solomon had fallen to allow this to occur. There is no way for Solomon to rationalize or justify this situation. This is the smartest man to ever live, and this is where he ends up. Can you imagine the chaos and ungodliness in this situation?
Another line from “Slow fade” says, “a price will be paid when you give yourself away.” King Solomon’s “slow fade” results in his relationship with God being estranged and following false gods and idols of foreign lands. Solomon put false gods above the one true God. It was bad enough for the king and his wives to follow all these idols, but Solomon builds worship centers for these various false gods. The king of “God’s chosen people” is following and promoting idol worship. This not only affects the king and his wives, but idolatry is now introduced to the people of Israel, and this leads them away from God. The insidious nature of these various false gods captures people and leads them away from God. This idol worship would plague Israel for the next several generations. One man’s slow fade became the whole nation’s struggle.
“People never crumble in a day” writes Casting Crowns and it is so true. Each believer needs to have personal accountability processes in place to help defend against a slow fade. Each of us can fall into this pattern if we are not careful. and busy schedules can push away my time to focus on God. Do you have a regular time with God? Time with God is more important than anything else on your schedule. Assess your life and be honest about shortcomings and small compromises. Maybe, you have faded away - a long way from where God wants you. Don’t be discouraged. Repent and get right with God. He will forgive and restore you. You cannot fall to a place that is too far away for God to restore you. Put boundaries in place that help keep you on the right track, be accountable to your spouse and some other believer that will keep you in line. A slow fade does not have to happen. Be alert and pursue God’s will and He will direct your paths.
Another line from “Slow fade” says, “a price will be paid when you give yourself away.” King Solomon’s “slow fade” results in his relationship with God being estranged and following false gods and idols of foreign lands. Solomon put false gods above the one true God. It was bad enough for the king and his wives to follow all these idols, but Solomon builds worship centers for these various false gods. The king of “God’s chosen people” is following and promoting idol worship. This not only affects the king and his wives, but idolatry is now introduced to the people of Israel, and this leads them away from God. The insidious nature of these various false gods captures people and leads them away from God. This idol worship would plague Israel for the next several generations. One man’s slow fade became the whole nation’s struggle.
“People never crumble in a day” writes Casting Crowns and it is so true. Each believer needs to have personal accountability processes in place to help defend against a slow fade. Each of us can fall into this pattern if we are not careful. and busy schedules can push away my time to focus on God. Do you have a regular time with God? Time with God is more important than anything else on your schedule. Assess your life and be honest about shortcomings and small compromises. Maybe, you have faded away - a long way from where God wants you. Don’t be discouraged. Repent and get right with God. He will forgive and restore you. You cannot fall to a place that is too far away for God to restore you. Put boundaries in place that help keep you on the right track, be accountable to your spouse and some other believer that will keep you in line. A slow fade does not have to happen. Be alert and pursue God’s will and He will direct your paths.
Posted in Devotional