Friday, November 02, 2012
TEXT: 1 KINGS 11:14-25
Key verse: “And the Lord stirred up an adversary unto Solomon, Hadad the Edomite... Rezon was an adversary to Israel all the days of Solomon beside the mischief that Hadad did” (1 Kings 11:14,25).
A prominent businessman attended several meetings organized by a minister and at the end gave the following account: “I have enjoyed all the meetings this week, but I am sorry I attended them!” “Why?” asked the astonished minister. Here’s why. These meetings have reminded me afresh that I have missed God’s best for my life. I was called to Africa; I intended to answer God’s call. I began to earn money for my passage and outfit. I earned more and more money. I stayed and entered a business concern. Today, I am the owner of a large business concern. I have everything money can buy, a beautiful home, lovely wife, and children. Down in my heart, however there is a great void. My life had been a failure, not from the world’s stand point, but from God’s point of view!”
It is interesting to note that our text today gives a picture of the last days of King Solomon. No doubt he was well favoured by God. At the beginning of his reign, God removed every adversary that could hinder his peaceful and prosperous reign. “Then sat Solomon, upon the throne of David his father and his kingdom was established greatly” (1 Kings 2:12).
Sadly he lost the favour, presence and the peace of God. Instead of the usual support he had always received from God, he got the opposite. “And the Lord stirred up an adversary unto Solomon”. Having lost the peace and pleasure of God; he had wars. The reason is clear, “Solomon did evil in the sight of the Lord, and went not fully after the Lord, as did David his father”. And the Lord was angry with Solomon, because “his heart was turned from the Lord God of Israel, which appeared to him twice” (1 kings 11:6, 9).
Solomon lost out because he refused to heed the warnings of his father David. “And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and a willing mind:.. if thou seek him, he will be found of thee, but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever (1 Chronicles 28:9). Here is a great lesson for all heaven-bound pilgrims whose promotion and upliftment in life depends on continued obedience to God.
Thought for today: There is a daily lifting-up for the obedient.
TEXT: 1 KINGS 11:14-25
Key verse: “And the Lord stirred up an adversary unto Solomon, Hadad the Edomite... Rezon was an adversary to Israel all the days of Solomon beside the mischief that Hadad did” (1 Kings 11:14,25).
A prominent businessman attended several meetings organized by a minister and at the end gave the following account: “I have enjoyed all the meetings this week, but I am sorry I attended them!” “Why?” asked the astonished minister. Here’s why. These meetings have reminded me afresh that I have missed God’s best for my life. I was called to Africa; I intended to answer God’s call. I began to earn money for my passage and outfit. I earned more and more money. I stayed and entered a business concern. Today, I am the owner of a large business concern. I have everything money can buy, a beautiful home, lovely wife, and children. Down in my heart, however there is a great void. My life had been a failure, not from the world’s stand point, but from God’s point of view!”
It is interesting to note that our text today gives a picture of the last days of King Solomon. No doubt he was well favoured by God. At the beginning of his reign, God removed every adversary that could hinder his peaceful and prosperous reign. “Then sat Solomon, upon the throne of David his father and his kingdom was established greatly” (1 Kings 2:12).
Sadly he lost the favour, presence and the peace of God. Instead of the usual support he had always received from God, he got the opposite. “And the Lord stirred up an adversary unto Solomon”. Having lost the peace and pleasure of God; he had wars. The reason is clear, “Solomon did evil in the sight of the Lord, and went not fully after the Lord, as did David his father”. And the Lord was angry with Solomon, because “his heart was turned from the Lord God of Israel, which appeared to him twice” (1 kings 11:6, 9).
Solomon lost out because he refused to heed the warnings of his father David. “And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and a willing mind:.. if thou seek him, he will be found of thee, but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever (1 Chronicles 28:9). Here is a great lesson for all heaven-bound pilgrims whose promotion and upliftment in life depends on continued obedience to God.
Thought for today: There is a daily lifting-up for the obedient.