"On a hill east of Jerusalem, Solomon built a high place for Chemosh the detestable god of Moab, and for Molek the detestable god of the Ammonites. He did the same for all his foreign wives, who burned incense and offered sacrifices to their gods." (1 Kings 11:7 & 8, NIV)
This is the inevitable end for those who are never satisfied, always looking for more and better pleasure.
This past week I finished reading about Solomon. The Kingdom reached its largest expanse during his reign. He built the first Jewish Temple. The record states that the Lord God, "appeared twice," to Solomon. Just like his father, David, Solomon had everything everyone wants desires---- more. Today, many American households have both husband and wife working outside the home, not because they have to, but because they want to have. It has become the proverbial "bottomless pit," and the digging just continues. I have shared before that one of my uncles once said to me that every time he got a salary increase, it didn't take long until it wasn't enough.
The desire for more is dangerous. It can lead to an end as Solomon's. Just as with David, Solomon was not content with what he had. There was more "out there," and because he had the means to do so, he went after it. Jesus always told the Jews to refrain from intermingling with the foreign nations. Why? because of the reason He gave to Solomon, "You must not intermarry with them, because they will surely turn your hearts after their gods," whatever the form of, "their gods," takes; hence, our text. Solomon was not satisfied with what he had. Like so many today, more and different is always better. And, as with so many in Covenant People history, the older he got the greater the, "prone to wonder."
Proverbs 4:23 says, "Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it." How different David's life would have been. How different Solomon's life would have been. How different our lives would be if we took heed to, "....guard your heart...." Maybe you are already "out and about." Maybe you are in an office or your house. I pray for you and me, no matter "where" we are, "guard your heart." When I read of Solomon, I experience a renewed, "fear of the Lord"; may you also, for, "I know that it will go better with those who fear God, who are reverent before Him."
Father, in Jesus' Name, I thank You for Your Words which are light in the darkness. Amen.
This is the inevitable end for those who are never satisfied, always looking for more and better pleasure.
This past week I finished reading about Solomon. The Kingdom reached its largest expanse during his reign. He built the first Jewish Temple. The record states that the Lord God, "appeared twice," to Solomon. Just like his father, David, Solomon had everything everyone wants desires---- more. Today, many American households have both husband and wife working outside the home, not because they have to, but because they want to have. It has become the proverbial "bottomless pit," and the digging just continues. I have shared before that one of my uncles once said to me that every time he got a salary increase, it didn't take long until it wasn't enough.
The desire for more is dangerous. It can lead to an end as Solomon's. Just as with David, Solomon was not content with what he had. There was more "out there," and because he had the means to do so, he went after it. Jesus always told the Jews to refrain from intermingling with the foreign nations. Why? because of the reason He gave to Solomon, "You must not intermarry with them, because they will surely turn your hearts after their gods," whatever the form of, "their gods," takes; hence, our text. Solomon was not satisfied with what he had. Like so many today, more and different is always better. And, as with so many in Covenant People history, the older he got the greater the, "prone to wonder."
Proverbs 4:23 says, "Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it." How different David's life would have been. How different Solomon's life would have been. How different our lives would be if we took heed to, "....guard your heart...." Maybe you are already "out and about." Maybe you are in an office or your house. I pray for you and me, no matter "where" we are, "guard your heart." When I read of Solomon, I experience a renewed, "fear of the Lord"; may you also, for, "I know that it will go better with those who fear God, who are reverent before Him."
Father, in Jesus' Name, I thank You for Your Words which are light in the darkness. Amen.
When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"
Hebrews 12:2
Hebrews 12:2
