Thursday September 22, 2016

A Privilege Misplaced

-1 KINGS 11:14-25

Key Verse:

"And the LORD stirred up an adversary unto Solomon, Hadad the Edomite: he was of the king's seed in Edom. And he was an adversary to Israel all the days of Solomon, beside the mis- chief that Hadad did: and he abhorred Israel, and reigned over Syria" (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", he explained, "These meetings have reminded me afresh that I have missed God's best for my life. God called me to Africa. I intended to answer the call, so I began to earn money for my passage and outfit. I earned more and more money. Today, I am the owner of a large business concern. I have everything money can buy, a beautiful home, lovely wife, and children. However, down in my heart, 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!" Our text gives a picture of the last days of Solomon. No doubt, he was well-favoured. At the beginning of his reign, God removed every adversary that could hinder his peaceful and prosperous reign (1 Kings 2:12). Sadly, later in his reign, he lost the favour, presence and peace of God. "And the Lord stirred up an adversary unto Solomon." Having lost the peace and pleasure of God; he had wars. The reason is clear: he "did evil in the sight of the LORD, and went not fully after the LORD, as did David his father". The Lord was angry with him, because "his heart was turned from the LORD God of Israel, which had appeared unto him twice" (verse 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 of 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 the day: There is a daily upliftment for the obedient.

Bible Reading in one Year:PROVERBS 18 - 20