Bryan and I just had a discussion a couple of days ago about why I wasn't blogging anymore. Honestly, it was because God hadn't compelled me to write. Every word that has been typed on this blog has been by the urging of the Lord. I hadn't felt it, so I wasn't going to write just to fill up space.
Well today I have felt compelled to share what I have been learning about King Solomon. There are so many parallels between his life and mine. No, I have not been been made the wisest person in all the land, but I have been given wisdom. I don't have the riches and splendor that Solomon had, but I have been greatly blessed. I believe that I have found favor in the eyes of the Lord in the last year and I have been blessed beyond measure.
So, what can I learn through the story of Solomon. I see things that I should do and things that I should avoid. First, I need to remember to always point the praise toward God. When blessings come my way, when wisdom is shared or when prosperity is given all the praise and glory should go to my Lord. There never should be an instance when I become puffed up and proud because of something that I have done.
Solomon was very good at this. Every time he was blessed he praised the Lord. Every time he imparted wisdom into a situation, he gave the glory to God. Every time he succeeded on a grand scale(think of all he built and accomplished in his life) he would plead to the Lord to bless his accomplishments. A wonderful reminder that we should always be pointing praise back to the Lord. After all, we were made to glorify God in ALL we do and say.
Then comes Solomon's downfall. I believe that Solomon got complacent in "the good life". He got so used to all the wonderful things that God had given him that he began to forget that these things were actually gifts. Did he forget that the Lord gives and the Lord can take away?
In I Kings, 11:1 there is one word that stands out to me like it is in a neon flashing sign. HOWEVER. After many chapters describing Solomon's success, this word is used. It is the beginning of the end for Solomon. I don't want this word to follow in my story. The story of my success in overcoming addiction and then the blessing of a child that followed.
How did Solomon get there? As Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods, and his heart was not fully devoted to the Lord his God as the heart of David his father had been. 1 Kings 11:4 Slowly, over time, Solomon lost focus. His heart became divided between the things of this world and the one true God. Because of this, the Lord became angry with Solomon and began to strip away all of the blessings. His wisdom became a curse. His wives that he so loved became a burden. His peaceful rule was stripped away from him.
Oh Lord, may I learn a lesson from this! May I not become content and forget what you are doing in my life. May I always point everything back to you. What a good example of what to do and not to do. May I heed this warning.
