How To Cross the Finish Line with Glory When Broken?

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1 NKJV

        Last week we compared the leadership of Jeroboam and Rehoboam.  One humbled himself before God and the other did not.  Because Rehoboam listened to God, Judah lived in peace and prosperity.  That is for the most part of his reign.  But as is the case with us humans, when surrounded by earthly prosperity, we become complacent.  Why is that?  Why do we forget the very one who has provided our peace?  Well, it did happen to Rehoboam as well.  So how can we cross the finish line with Glory even though we are so broken?

When the rule of Rehoboam was established and he was strong, he abandoned the law of the Lord, and all Israel with him. 2 In the fifth year of King Rehoboam, because they had been unfaithful to the Lord, Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem 3 with 1,200 chariots and 60,000 horsemen. And the people were without number who came with him from Egypt—Libyans, Sukkiim, and Ethiopians. 2 Chronicles 12: 1-3 (ESV)

So, despite having started so well, Rehoboam at one point abandoned God.  Was that the end?  What about us?  How often do we get distracted and turn away from God? 

Example of Faith to Cross the Finish Line with Glory

Martin Luther had written his thesis.  The Catholic church of his day wanted him dead, destroyed.   Yet he said, “I am more afraid of my own heart than of the pope and all his cardinals. I have within me the great pope, Self.”[1]

The same is true of me.  Their deep within my heart lies a rebellious self-absorbed heart screaming out desires, demands, and anger at times.  That deep broken part that cannot love anything so much as my own pitiful wants which do not even then satisfy.  But such are we.  Broken and somewhat pitiful.  But what about God’s response?

2 Chronicles 12:5-8 (ESV)

5 Then Shemaiah the prophet came to Rehoboam and to the princes of Judah, who had gathered at Jerusalem because of Shishak, and said to them, “Thus says the Lord, ‘You abandoned me, so I have abandoned you to the hand of Shishak.’” 6 Then the princes of Israel and the king humbled themselves and said, “The Lord is righteous.” 7 When the Lord saw that they humbled themselves, the word of the Lord came to Shemaiah: “They have humbled themselves. I will not destroy them, but I will grant them some deliverance, and my wrath shall not be poured out on Jerusalem by the hand of Shishak. 8 Nevertheless, they shall be servants to him, that they may know my service and the service of the kingdoms of the countries.”

A bittersweet ending note was that right before the recording of his death, God’s words read.

“14 And he did evil, for he did not set his heart to seek the Lord.” 2 Chronicles 12:14

Have you set your heart to seek the Lord?  Firmly fixing your eyes on God, the author and finisher of your faith.  Well Rehoboam’s life example most likely affected his son to follow him: because we read.

To Cross the Finish line with Glory or not?

Abijam began to reign over Judah. 2 He reigned for three years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Maacah the daughter of Abishalom. 3 And he walked in all the sins that his father did before him, and his heart was not wholly true to the Lord his God, as the heart of David his father. 4 Nevertheless, for David’s sake the Lord his God gave him a lamp in Jerusalem, setting up his son after him, and establishing Jerusalem, 5 because David did what was right in the eyes of the Lord and did not turn aside from anything that he commanded him all the days of his life, except in the matter of Uriah the Hittite.  1 Kings 15: 1-5.

But then, despite his not following after God, his son Asa did.  Men of true faith interweave throughout all of history.  Thereby fulfilling God’s ultimate purpose of salvation for all who would seek Him. 

Finding the Strength to Do What is Right

9 In the twentieth year of Jeroboam king of Israel, Asa began to reign over Judah, 10 and he reigned forty-one years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Maacah the daughter of Abishalom. 11 And Asa did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, as David his father had done. 12 He put away the male cult prostitutes out of the land and removed all the idols that his fathers had made.

13 He also removed Maacah his mother from being queen mother because she had made an abominable image for Asherah. And Asa cut down her image and burned it at the brook Kidron. 14 But the high places were not taken away. Nevertheless, the heart of Asa was wholly true to the Lord all his days. 15 And he brought into the house of the Lord the sacred gifts of his father and his own sacred gifts, silver, and gold, and vessels.

Faith stood Strong

When King Asa kept his eyes on God and sought him with all his heart, his faith stood strong as exampled below. 

Asa had an army of 300,000 from Judah, armed with large shields and spears, and 280,000 men from Benjamin that carried shields and drew bows. All these were mighty men of valor.9 Zerah the Ethiopian came out against them with an army of a million men and 300 chariots, and came as far as Mareshah. 10 And Asa went out to meet him, and they drew up their lines of battle in the Valley of Zephathah at Mareshah.

11 And Asa cried to the Lord his God, “O Lord, there is none like you to help, between the mighty and the weak. Help us, O Lord our God, for we rely on you, and in your name we have come against this multitude. O Lord, you are our God; let not man prevail against you.” 12 So the Lord defeated the Ethiopians before Asa and before Judah, and the Ethiopians fled.  2 Chronicles 14:8-12

Then God spoke a warning:

“Hear me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin: The Lord is with you while you are with him. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will forsake you. 3 For a long time Israel was without the true God, and without a teaching priest and without law, 4 but when in their distress they turned to the Lord, the God of Israel, and sought him, he was found by them.

5 In those times there was no peace to him who went out or to him who came in, for great disturbances afflicted all the inhabitants of the lands. 6 They were broken in pieces. Nation was crushed by nation and city by city, for God troubled them with every sort of distress. 7 But you, take courage! Do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded.” 2 Chronicles 15:1-7

As soon as he heard these words, King Asa busily worked and labored for the Lord.  He broke down the idols.  Restoring the altar and sacrifice to its rightful place, he brought revival throughout the land.  Then he too became complacent with time.  He had done so well but did not finish the job he began.  Altars remained in the high places to idols which he never got around to.  Don’t we do the same thing?  We think we have done so well, but we stop short.  The report card would read incomplete. 

Did King Asa Cross the Finish Line with Glory?

Unfortunately, no.  The next time a conflict arose, he looked for outside help rather than for God.  He went and made a treaty with Syria, giving them gold so they would go against Israel.  The faith that had gained him victory before was soon forgotten. Then God sent a seer to tell him he was wrong.

“Because you relied on the king of Syria, and did not rely on the Lord your God, the army of the king of Syria has escaped you. 8 Were not the Ethiopians and the Libyans a huge army with very many chariots and horsemen? Yet because you relied on the Lord, he gave them into your hand. 9 For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless[b] toward him. You have done foolishly in this, for from now on you will have wars.” 10 Then Asa was angry with the seer and put him in the stocks in prison, for he was in a rage with him because of this. And Asa inflicted cruelties upon some of the people at the same time.

11 The acts of Asa, from first to last, are written in the Book of the Kings of Judah and Israel. 12 In the thirty-ninth year of his reign Asa was diseased in his feet, and his disease became severe. Yet even in his disease he did not seek the Lord, but sought help from physicians.

Don’t we do the same?  We get angry at the ones who point out we have done wrong instead of looking within at our own sin.  So what are the lessons here and how can we possibly cross the finish line with glory?

7 steps to cross the finish line with Glory

  1.  Get and remain serious about scriptures.  Satan knows this is our only offensive weapon against him and he will try everything to keep you out of the word
  2. Be serious as to what will be your legacy.  Will it be for Christ or something else. 
  3. Kept fighting until the end.  Don’t drop down after the first punch and cry out in defeat. 
  4. Press toward the mark of the prize of God
  5. Keep the faith, recall everything he has done for you
  6.  Focus on the Finish line
  7. Spend time alone with God.  Even Jesus when on this earth withdrew to pray.

CONCLUDING THOUGHT

We serve a God of completion.  He finishes what He begins.  Even as Christ upon the cross stated, “Tetelestai” (It is finished).  He has won the victory and now we can know beyond a shadow of doubt that He will carry us across that finish line with Glory.  His glory.

[1] https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/martin_luther_151430

DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD? He is our only Hope in Life and Death! Our Joy is found in Him.

Therefore if you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you today. Go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.

For Prayer or Comments

If you have a prayer request feel free to email me by clicking here

Furthermore, if you would like to share your story or thoughts, you can comment here

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How To Remain Faithful and Finish Well in a Crazy World

DISCLOSURES

©Effie Darlene Barba, 2021
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. Furthermore, I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Credits

New King James Version (NKJV)

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

New English Translation (NET)

NET Bible® copyright ©1996-2017 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. http://netbible.com All rights reserved.

English Standard Version (ESV)

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Photo licensed through Goodsalt.com

How to Overcome Trials?  Look up and see God is the Victory!

God is the Victory!  He makes straight paths out of the crooked.  Completing all that He plans, despite all the detours of rebellious men.  Therefore, I can face any trial, because I know the end of the story.  All I must do is surrender all to Him as Lord of my Life

        History reveals a time when King Solomon lost focus of the truth he knew too well; God is the Victory.  His kingdom flourished until his heart turned to adore and desire the gifts more than the giver of all gifts.  He blinked and nearly lost it all.  Yet, God’s grace provided a way of escape and Solomon returned to God.  Yet, the deeds of Godly men ultimately do affect the whole world. That has been true since the beginning of time and remains true today.  We blink for a moment.  Lose sight.  Then awaken only after the bad choice has been made. The consequences are already set into action.  Then, we must choose either to bow humbly in repentance before the throne of God or march on in our rebellion.  We see this play out in the story of the two kings who followed King Solomon.  As we search through their stories, let us ask ourselves which will we be? 

        And more importantly, as we read about their stories, never forget that God will accomplish all that He has planned.  God is the Victory. Jesus Christ paid the price; therefore, the victory is won already for all who accept Him as Lord and Saviour. 

        Knowing the end instills hope, strength, and endurance to deal with all the trials we face.  Jesus is why we refocus through humble repentance, each time we stumble.  We can be certain our failures never take God by surprise.  He knew every sin I would commit before I was born. Miraculously, He saved me all the same.  Furthermore, Jesus bore on His shoulders all my sins.  He saw each one and said, “Strike me again. I must pay that one and the other one too” What Grace!  Such Love!  I owe Him all of me, forever.

God Is in Control Even of Our Trials

Even before this story unfolds, we knew the end. God had given us a clue.

1 King 11: (ESV) 9 And the Lord was angry with Solomon, because his heart had turned away from the Lord, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice 10 and had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not go after other gods. But he did not keep what the Lord commanded. 11 Therefore the Lord said to Solomon, “Since this has been your practice and you have not kept my covenant and my statutes that I have commanded you, I will surely tear the kingdom from you and will give it to your servant. 12 Yet for the sake of David your father I will not do it in your days, but I will tear it out of the hand of your son. 13 However, I will not tear away all the kingdom, but I will give one tribe to your son, for the sake of David my servant and for the sake of Jerusalem that I have chosen.”

1 King 11: (ESV) 26 Jeroboam the son of Nebat, an Ephraimite of Zeredah, a servant of Solomon, whose mother’s name was Zeruah, a widow, also lifted up his hand against the king. 27 And this was the reason why he lifted up his hand against the king. Solomon built the Millo, and closed up the breach of the city of David his father. 28 The man Jeroboam was very able, and when Solomon saw that the young man was industrious he gave him charge over all the forced labor of the house of Joseph. 

Notice who was in charge of the labor force used by Solomon to build his kingdom.   Jeroboam was a servant of Solomon.  Also he was of the tribe of Ephraim as had been King Saul. 

Also, Jeroboam knew: God is the Victory

29 And at that time, when Jeroboam went out of Jerusalem, the prophet Ahijah the Shilonite found him on the road. Now Ahijah had dressed himself in a new garment, and the two of them were alone in the open country. 30 Then Ahijah laid hold of the new garment that was on him, and tore it into twelve pieces. 

31 And he said to Jeroboam, “Take for yourself ten pieces, for thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, ‘Behold, I am about to tear the kingdom from the hand of Solomon and will give you ten tribes 32 (but he shall have one tribe, for the sake of my servant David and for the sake of Jerusalem, the city that I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel), 33 because they have[a] forsaken me and worshiped (other Gods). 

A Promise to Jeroboam

34 Nevertheless, I will not take the whole kingdom out of his hand, but I will make him ruler all the days of his life, for the sake of David my servant whom I chose, who kept my commandments and my statutes. 35 But I will take the kingdom out of his son’s hand and will give it to you, ten tribes. 36 Yet to his son I will give one tribe, that David my servant may always have a lamp before me in Jerusalem, the city where I have chosen to put my name. 

37 And I will take you, and you shall reign over all that your soul desires, and you shall be king over Israel. 38 And if you will listen to all that I command you, and will walk in my ways, and do what is right in my eyes by keeping my statutes and my commandments, as David my servant did, I will be with you and will build you a sure house, as I built for David, and I will give Israel to you. 39 And I will afflict the offspring of David because of this, but not forever.’” 40 Solomon sought therefore to kill Jeroboam. But Jeroboam arose and fled into Egypt, to Shishak king of Egypt, and was in Egypt until the death of Solomon.

Therefore, the Stage is Set

12 Rehoboam went to Shechem, for all Israel had come to Shechem to make him king. 2 And as soon as Jeroboam the son of Nebat heard of it (for he was still in Egypt, where he had fled from King Solomon), then Jeroboam returned from[a] Egypt. 3 And they sent and called him, and Jeroboam and all the assembly of Israel came and said to Rehoboam, 4 “Your father made our yoke heavy. Now therefore lighten the hard service of your father and his heavy yoke on us, and we will serve you.” 5 He said to them, “Go away for three days, then come again to me.” So the people went away.

Note:  Rehoboam does not have a clue; but he is being tested. Will he seek counsel from God or merely men?  God already knows what he will do but will use it as a lesson.  Also, knowing in advance what he was going to do, God’s prophetic word is also completed just as spoken to Solomon.  The just judgement against Solomon was carried out.  But Rehoboam faces this because of his own sin in the course of things.  His pride overrode his decision.  He went to the wise men who suggested he offer himself as a servant king to the people.  Then he asks those of his own generation who told him to declare he would be harsher than even his father. 

Making a Poor Choice, yet God is the Victory

12 So Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam the third day, as the king said, “Come to me again the third day.” 13 And the king answered the people harshly, and forsaking the counsel that the old men had given him, 14 he spoke to them according to the counsel of the young men, saying, “My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add to your yoke. My father disciplined you with whips, but I will discipline you with scorpions.” 15 So the king did not listen to the people, for it was a turn of affairs brought about by the Lord that he might fulfill his word, which the Lord spoke by Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam the son of Nebat.

The Kingdom Divided

I Kings 12 16 And when all Israel saw that the king did not listen to them, the people answered the king, “What portion do we have in David?  We have no inheritance in the son of Jesse. To your tents, O Israel! Look now to your own house, David

So, essentially, they told him to go away and stay with the tribe of Judah.  He then sent the task master to them, and they killed the task master.  Then placed Jeroboam as King over the 10 tribes of Israel.  The tribe of Benjamin joined with Judah and were going to go to battle to take back the land; however, God said no, and Rehoboam listened.  In fact, this was God’s answer. 

I Kings 12 24 ‘Thus says the Lord, “You shall not go up or fight against your relatives the people of Israel.  Every man return to his home, for this thing is from me.’” So, they listened to the word of the Lord and went home again, according to the word of the Lord.

What About King Jeroboam?

God had promised Jeroboam that He would be with Him. 

And if you will listen to all that I command you, and will walk in my ways, and do what is right in my eyes by keeping my statutes and my commandments, as David my servant did, I will be with you and will build you a sure house, as I built for David, and I will give Israel to you.   I Kings 11: 38

But alas, even knowing all this, King Jeroboam built Golden calf altars and lead the Kingdom of Israel into idolatrous worship.  He even dismissed all the priests of Levi and set up other priests to offer sacrifices to the Golden Calves like the people had done when they sinned against God in the wilderness.  He even said the same words as did Aaron that day.

Let us never worship what we have devised in our own heart

I King 13:

28 So the king took counsel and made two calves of gold. And he said to the people, “You have gone up to Jerusalem long enough. Behold your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt.” 29 And he set one in Bethel, and the other he put in Dan. 30 Then this thing became a sin, for the people went as far as Dan to be before one.[b] 

31 He also made temples on high places and appointed priests from among all the people, who were not of the Levites. 32 And Jeroboam appointed a feast on the fifteenth day of the eighth month like the feast that was in Judah, and he offered sacrifices on the altar. So he did in Bethel, sacrificing to the calves that he made. And he placed in Bethel the priests of the high places that he had made. 33 He went up to the altar that he had made in Bethel on the fifteenth day in the eighth month, in the month that he had devised from his own heart.

So When Trials Come, will You Remember God is the Victory?

See King Rehoboam sinned, but he humbled himself before God.

King Jeroboam did not, although given the same chance.

Concluding Thoughts

Yet, through all of it, God accomplished all that He planned, despite the failures of men.  Still note all the sorrow, grief and loss caused by each man’s sin in these stories.  God’s focus remained on the final victory.  He had promised Adam, that a Savior would come.  Furthermore, He told Jacob that the Savior would be the lion from the tribe of Judah. 

Genesis 49 (AMP
“Judah, you are the one whom your brothers shall praise;
Your hand will be on the neck of your enemies;
Your father’s sons shall bow down to you.
9 
“Judah, a lion’s cub;
With the prey, my son, you have gone high up [the mountain].
He stooped down, he crouched like a lion,
And like a lion—who dares rouse him?
10 
“The scepter [of royalty] shall not depart from Judah,
Nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet,
Until Shiloh [the Messiah, the Peaceful One] comes,
And to Him shall be the obedience of the peoples.
11 
“Tying [a]his foal to the [strong] vine
And his donkey’s colt to the choice vine,
He washes his clothing in wine [because the grapevine produces abundantly],
And his robes in the blood of grapes.
12 
“His eyes are darker and sparkle more than wine,
And his teeth whiter than milk.

God is the Victory!  He makes straight paths out of the crooked.  Completing all that He plans, despite all the detours of rebellious men.  Therefore, I can face any trial, because I know the end of the story.  I know that God is the Victory for my life.  Jesus Christ is the ONLY Way, the Truth, and the Life.  My future is secure in Him alone.  Thank God, it does not depend on me; but that He will perform through me all He has planned.  I merely place my trust in Him. 

DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD? He is our only Hope in Life and Death! Our Joy is found in Him.

Therefore if you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you today. Go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.

For Prayer or Comments

If you have a prayer request feel free to email me by clicking here

Furthermore, if you would like to share your story or thoughts, you can comment here

PREVIOUS

How To Remain Faithful and Finish Well in a Crazy World

DISCLOSURES

©Effie Darlene Barba, 2021
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. Furthermore, I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Credits

New King James Version (NKJV)

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

All scripture apart from that designated otherwise has been taken from the NET

New English Translation (NET)

NET Bible® copyright ©1996-2017 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. http://netbible.com All rights reserved.

Photo licensed through Goodsalt.com

Amplified Bible (AMP)

Copyright © 2015 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA 90631. All rights reserved.

How To Remain Faithful and Finish Well in a Crazy World

“When all is said and done, the life of faith is nothing if not an unending struggle of the spirit with every available weapon against the flesh.”
― Dietrich Bonhoeffer,

        In the records of such a great life as that of King Solomon, we find it very sad to see his frailty, failures, and fall.  How is it that one who began so well, could fall so far?  Beyond that God had given him wisdom far beyond any other human.  He built the temple.  And even saw the Glory of God descend upon the temple.  God spoke to him directly, warning him not to worship other gods.  If he failed Israel would fall and the temple he built would be rejected.  So, what happened?  Years had passed, he had grown older.  So much power, money, position, and human knowledge had made him complacent.  The years weigh heavily on each of us, and our hearts are frail, quickly drawn away.  Let us look at 7 things that will help us remain faithful and finish well in a crazy world. 

The first 10 chapters of I Kings tells us of all the wonderful achievements of King Solomon.  A Display of how to remain faithful began his life. Suddenly in chapter 11, we are told of his failures, God’s Wrath, and the death of Solomon. Was it possible to not finish well? Did he fail to remain faithful and why did he fail?

1 Kings 11:1-8 NET

King Solomon fell in love with many foreign women (besides Pharaoh’s daughter), including Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Sidonians, and Hittites. 2 They came from nations about which the Lord had warned the Israelites, “You must not establish friendly relations with them![a] If you do, they will surely shift your allegiance to their gods.”[b] But Solomon was irresistibly attracted to them.[c]

3 He had 700 royal wives[d] and 300 concubines;[e] his wives had a powerful influence over him.[f] 4 When Solomon became old, his wives shifted his allegiance to[g] other gods; he was not wholeheartedly devoted to the Lord his God, as his father David had been.[h] 5 Solomon worshiped[i] the Sidonian goddess Astarte and the detestable Ammonite god Milcom.[j] 6 Solomon did evil in the Lord’s sight;[k] he did not remain loyal to[l] the Lord, as his father David had. 7 Furthermore,[m] on the hill east of Jerusalem[n] Solomon built a high place[o] for the detestable Moabite god Chemosh[p] and for the detestable Ammonite god Milcom.[q] 8 He built high places for all his foreign wives so they could burn incense and make sacrifices to their gods.[r]

But think about this. 

Is not God Sovereign? Absolutely yes.  Did He not know exactly what was going to happen? He did and He warned Solomon.  Does God’s Sovereign knowledge negate the responsibility for the choices Solomon made?  Absolutely not!  In fact, it heightens it to some degree.  Much like Jesus telling Peter he would deny him.  However, Peter did not even believe how depraved his own heart was until he had to face his own frailty.  The same is  true of each of us.  I know it is for me.  I never knew how dark and broken are the crevices of my own heart until the light of God step by step reveals it to me as He shines His light deep within. 

God, knowing the sins I have and those which lie before me, allows me free will.  Without free will, there is no possibility I can choose to love Him either.  And without choice, my love nor my worship would be genuine.  Therefore, He allows even what He hates to accomplish what He loves.  How marvelous His grace which has accepted me even amid my failures.  Step by step He guides my heart so I might see His Glory and that I might love Him earnestly.  Yet, how can I finish well, remaining faithful to the end? This journey at times seems to hard and my heart too frail. Perhaps like that of Solomon.

God’s Response to Solomon

9 The Lord was angry with Solomon because he had shifted his allegiance[s] away from the Lord, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him on two occasions[t] 10 and had warned him about this very thing, so that he would not follow other gods.[u] But he did not obey[v] the Lord’s command. 11 So the Lord said to Solomon, “Because you insist on doing these things and have not kept the covenantal rules I gave you,[w] I will surely tear the kingdom away from you and give it to your servant. 12 However, for your father David’s sake I will not do this while you are alive. I will tear it away from your son’s hand instead. 13 But I will not tear away the entire kingdom; I will leave[x] your son one tribe for my servant David’s sake and for the sake of my chosen city Jerusalem.”

42 Solomon ruled over all Israel from Jerusalem for forty years. 43 Then Solomon passed away[br] and was buried in the city of his father David.[bs] His son Rehoboam replaced him as king.[bt]  I Kings 11 (NET)

Was Everything Loss?  Or did Solomon turn? 

Did Solomon remain faithful in the end. Did he finish well?

How sad if this is all we are given about Solomon’s ending.  But thankfully it is not.  We have the other writings of Solomon himself to help to guide us.  Song of Solomon written at least in part while he was still a Prince.  Then there is the book of Proverbs, many of which are collections during his reign as King.  Ecclesiastes written in his later years reflecting upon his own failures, the vanities of life, and reaching a final conclusion. 

Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. 14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.  Ecclesiastes 12:

What about our lives?  All the trials, sorrows, pains and sufferings have laid heavy at times.  At other times, the moments of success and bits of glory have also weighed heavily as well.  Now in these later years, I look back and see all the years wasted. All my own failures and how they reflect back to me in the sufferings of my own children and family.  I also see the darkness of the world around me.  I ponder, how despite my knowing the truth, the darkness weighs so heavily on my own heart. 

Faithful to the End to Finish Well.

 Faithful to Labor while the Day is Here

Jesus said, “4 I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work. 5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.  (John 9 NET)

 Faithful to Remembering who is your Anchor

11 And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: 12 That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises….19 Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; 20 Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus.  (Hebrews 6 KJV)

Be Faithful in Studying the Word

Do not let mercy and truth[g] leave you;
bind them around your neck,
write them on the tablet of your heart.[h]
4 Then you will find[i] favor and good understanding,[j]
in the sight of God and people.[k]  Proverbs 3: NET

Faithful in Trusting Him (Even when you don’t understand)

Trust[l] in the Lord with all your heart,[m]
and do not rely[n] on your own understanding.[o]
6 Acknowledge[p] him in all your ways,[q]
and he will make your paths straight.[r] Proverbs 3:5-6 NET

 Faithful with Giving

9 Honor[y] the Lord from your wealth
and from the firstfruits of all your crops;[z]
10 then your barns will be filled completely,[aa]
and your vats[ab] will overflow[ac] with new wine.[ad

Never, ever Forget His Mercy

8 The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. 9 He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever. 10 He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. 11 For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. 12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. 13 Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him. 14 For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.  Psalm 103: KJV

 Faithful to Remember all He has done in the past

 Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. 2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: 3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; 4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; 5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s. Psalm 103 KJV

So How Do We Remain Faithful and finish well?

There are times in this world, we will feel homesick.  Sadness will creep in to steal our joy as we look around us and see so much pain and suffering.  Yet, if we keep our eyes on Jesus, we know that He will hold us fast.  For in His presence is fullness of joy.  When sadness fills your heart draw closer to Him.

24 Now to the one who is able to keep you from falling,[cu] and to cause you to stand, rejoicing,[cv] without blemish[cw] before his glorious presence,[cx] 25 to the only God our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, power, and authority, before all time, and now, and for all eternity. Amen.  Jude

Yes, there it is!  In the end, it is His grace that keeps me safe to the end.

23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way.24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand.  Psalm 37:23-24

And what makes me good?  I have been clothed in a righteousness not my own by the blood of Jesus Christ, shed for me.  Declared righteous because He paid the price for my sins:  past, present, and future. Not that I should walk any more in them; but that I should lean on Him, knowing He will finish the work He began in me.  I will finish well because He will see to it.  Whatever it takes to cleanse this heart until all I see is Him, I willingly desire to walk through.

A Final Thought on How to Finish Well

Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a preacher in Germany who assisted in the Anti-Hitler activities for which he was ultimately imprisoned and killed.  He wrote:

“When all is said and done, the life of faith is nothing if not an unending struggle of the spirit with every available weapon against the flesh.”
― Dietrich Bonhoeffer, The Cost of Discipleship

The cross is laid on every Christian. The first Christ-suffering which every man must experience is the call to abandon the attachments of this world. It is that dying of the old man which is the result of his encounter with Christ. As we embark upon discipleship, we surrender ourselves to Christ in union with his death—we give over our lives to death. Thus, it begins; the cross is not the terrible end to an otherwise god-fearing and happy life, but it meets us at the beginning of our communion with Christ. 

When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die. It may be a death like that of the first disciples who had to leave home and work to follow him, or it may be a death like Luther’s, who had to leave the monastery and go out into the world. But it is the same death every time—death in Jesus Christ, the death of the old man at his call.

― Dietrich Bonhoeffer, The Cost of Discipleship 99

DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD? He is our only Hope in Life and Death! Our Joy is found in Him.

Therefore if you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you today. Go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.

For Prayer or Comments

If you have a prayer request feel free to email me by clicking here

Furthermore, if you would like to share your story or thoughts, you can comment here

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Is God’s Greatest Glory Displayed to Us by His Power or His Grace?

DISCLOSURES

©Effie Darlene Barba, 2021
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. Furthermore, I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Credits

New King James Version (NKJV)

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

New English Translation (NET)

NET Bible® copyright ©1996-2017 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. http://netbible.com All rights reserved.

Photo licensed through Goodsalt.com

Is God’s Greatest Glory Displayed to Us by His Power or His Grace?

How could I ever understand the depth of His Love and Mercy, if I did not understand the depth of His Power, Majesty, and Righteousness first.

        In this the “age of grace” we tend to place so much emphasis on the attributes of God which are love, joy, grace, and forgiveness.  At the same time, many do not want to know of His justice, righteousness, majesty, and power.  It is as though He is to be seen as the doting grandfather or mystical Santa Claus.  But to really understand the depth of His grace and mercy, is it not absolutely necessary to understand the magnitude of His strength, power, and justice.  Do we look too lightly upon the truth that He breathed forth all the galaxies in one breath, sending each to its perfect position in what we call skies. 

The Power of God in Creation

Even scientists have come to discover that everything began in one gigantic explosion from a single source.  (Funny how they think that just happened without a designer that was that source).  But still let’s look at something they have found.

“The Big Bang was like no explosion you might witness on earth today. For instance, a hydrogen bomb explosion, whose center registers approximately 100 million degrees Celsius, moves through the air at about 300 meters per second. In contrast, cosmologists believe the Big Bang flung energy in all directions at the speed of light (300,000,000 meters per second, a million times faster than the H-bomb) and estimate that the temperature of the entire universe was 1000 trillion degrees Celsius at just a tiny fraction of a second after the explosion. Even the cores of the hottest stars in today’s universe are much cooler than that.”[1]

          I fear all too often I do not take into full consideration the majesty and the power that is God. 

A Display of Power on Mt. Sinai

        Then Moses went up to the mountain, and the cloud covered the mountain. The glory of the LORD rested on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it for six days; and on the seventh day He called to Moses from the midst of the cloud. And to the eyes of the sons of Israel the appearance of the glory of the LORD was like a consuming fire on the mountain top. Moses entered the midst of the cloud as he went up to the mountain; and Moses was on the mountain forty days and forty nights. Exodus 24:15-18

This powerful God, who covered Himself with dark clouds that the brilliance of His Holiness would not burn up sinful man.  We see through a veil dimly were it not for the blood of Jesus Christ that tore open the curtain.  Now the Holy Spirit indwells each believer because the work of redemption was completed as Jesus Christ forth, “It is Finished”.  Tetelestai!  Even then, for the children of Israel there was a means of salvation, looking forward toward the Lamb of God who would take away the sins of the world. 

This same God, when He hid Moses in the cleft of a Rock so Moses might glimpse of His Glory said,

And the Lord passed by before him, and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty, Exodus 34:6-7

The Temple is Complete

So, it is when the temple was completed, Solomon ordered the Ark be brought and placed in the Holy of Holies. 

I King 8: 6-126 Then the priests brought the ark of the covenant of the Lord to its place in the inner sanctuary of the house, in the Most Holy Place, underneath the wings of the cherubim. 7 For the cherubim spread out their wings over the place of the ark, so that the cherubim overshadowed the ark and its poles.

8 And the poles were so long that the ends of the poles were seen from the Holy Place before the inner sanctuary; but they could not be seen from outside. And they are there to this day. 9 There was nothing in the ark except the two tablets of stone that Moses put there at Horeb, where the Lord made a covenant with the people of Israel, when they came out of the land of Egypt. 10 And when the priests came out of the Holy Place, a cloud filled the house of the Lord, 11 so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled the house of the Lord  

12 Then Solomon said, “The Lord[a] has said that he would dwell in thick darkness

The Lord has said that He would dwell in thick darkness.  Shrouded that the fierceness of His majestic Holiness, Righteousness, and Power might not immediately burn up everything, apart from the offering itself. 

Power of God Displayed Providing Grace

2 Chronicles 7: 1-3 Now when Solomon had made an end of praying, the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the Lord filled the house. 2 And the priests could not enter into the house of the Lord, because the glory of the Lord had filled the Lord‘s house. 3 And when all the children of Israel saw how the fire came down, and the glory of the Lord upon the house, they bowed themselves with their faces to the ground upon the pavement, and worshipped, and praised the Lord, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.

When Solomon spoke of the cloud, he also recalled a Psalm of David regarding God’s majesty, power, justice mixed with grace.

Psalm 18

I love you, O Lord, my strength.
2 The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer,
    my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge,
    my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
3 I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised,
    and I am saved from my enemies.

4 The cords of death encompassed me;
    the torrents of destruction assailed me;[a]
5 the cords of Sheol entangled me;
    the snares of death confronted me.

6 In my distress I called upon the Lord;
    to my God I cried for help.
From his temple he heard my voice,
    and my cry to him reached his ears.

THE GOD OF POWER CAME DOWN IN LOVE BREATHING FIRE

7 Then the earth reeled and rocked;
    the foundations also of the mountains trembled
    and quaked, because he was angry.
8 Smoke went up from his nostrils,[b]
    and devouring fire from his mouth;
    glowing coals flamed forth from him.
9 He bowed the heavens and came down;
    thick darkness was under his feet.
10 He rode on a cherub and flew;
    he came swiftly on the wings of the wind.
11 He made darkness his covering, his canopy around him,
    thick clouds dark with water.
12 Out of the brightness before him
    hailstones and coals of fire broke through his clouds.

13 The Lord also thundered in the heavens,
    and the Most High uttered his voice,
    hailstones and coals of fire.
14 And he sent out his arrows and scattered them;
    he flashed forth lightnings and routed them.
15 Then the channels of the sea were seen,
    and the foundations of the world were laid bare
at your rebuke, O Lord,
    at the blast of the breath of your nostrils.

The Power that saved Me

16 He sent from on high, he took me;
    he drew me out of many waters.
17 He rescued me from my strong enemy
    and from those who hated me,
    for they were too mighty for me.
18 They confronted me in the day of my calamity,
    but the Lord was my support.
19 He brought me out into a broad place;
    he rescued me, because he delighted in me…

46 The Lord lives, and blessed be my rock,
    and exalted be the God of my salvation—
47 the God who gave me vengeance
    and subdued peoples under me,
48 who rescued me from my enemies;
    yes, you exalted me above those who rose against me;
    you delivered me from the man of violence.

Well think of that the next time somehow does you wrong.  You don’t need to do anything except pray.

His Power and His Grace—equal parts of His Glory

So, it is.  If we fail to understand the depth of His Power, His hatred of evil, His justice, and His righteousness, then we will never understand the magnitude of His grace toward each one of us.  We see this in the prayer that Solomon prayed.  Note:  I have placed the entirety of the prayer but highlighted what I wish to emphasize.  Still, note the other portions are very specific and can be used when we need to pray for such things as famines, pestilences, enemy attacks, and specific personal sins. 

I Kings 8:

22 Then Solomon stood before the altar of the Lord in the presence of all the assembly of Israel and spread out his hands toward heaven, 23 and said, “O Lord, God of Israel, there is no God like you, in heaven above or on earth beneath, keeping covenant and showing steadfast love to your servants who walk before you with all their heart; 24 you have kept with your servant David my father what you declared to him. You spoke with your mouth, and with your hand have fulfilled it this day. 25 Now therefore, O Lord, God of Israel, keep for your servant David my father what you have promised him, saying, ‘You shall not lack a man to sit before me on the throne of Israel, if only your sons pay close attention to their way, to walk before me as you have walked before me.’ 26 Now therefore, O God of Israel, let your word be confirmed, which you have spoken to your servant David my father.27 “But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain you; how much less this house that I have built! 28 Yet have regard to the prayer of your servant and to his plea, O Lord my God, listening to the cry and to the prayer that your servant prays before you this day, 29 that your eyes may be open night and day toward this house, the place of which you have said, ‘My name shall be there,’ that you may listen to the prayer that your servant offers toward this place. 30 And listen to the plea of your servant and of your people Israel, when they pray toward this place. And listen in heaven your dwelling place, and when you hear, forgive.  31 “If a man sins against his neighbor and is made to take an oath and comes and swears his oath before your altar in this house, 32 then hear in heaven and act and judge your servants, condemning the guilty by bringing his conduct on his own head, and vindicating the righteous by rewarding him according to his righteousness.
33 “When your people Israel are defeated before the enemy because they have sinned against you, and if they turn again to you and acknowledge your name and pray and plead with you in this house, 34 then hear in heaven and forgive the sin of your people Israel and bring them again to the land that you gave to their fathers. 35 “When heaven is shut up and there is no rain because they have sinned against you, if they pray toward this place and acknowledge your name and turn from their sin, when you afflict them, 36 then hear in heaven and forgive the sin of your servants, your people Israel, when you teach them the good way in which they should walk, and grant rain upon your land, which you have given to your people as an inheritance. 37 “If there is famine in the land, if there is pestilence or blight or mildew or locust or caterpillar, if their enemy besieges them in the land at their gates,[b] whatever plague, whatever sickness there is, 38 whatever prayer, whatever plea is made by any man or by all your people Israel, each knowing the affliction of his own heart and stretching out his hands toward this house, 39 then hear in heaven your dwelling place and forgive and act and render to each whose heart you know, according to all his ways (for you, you only, know the hearts of all the children of mankind), 40 that they may fear you all the days that they live in the land that you gave to our fathers. 41 “Likewise, when a foreigner, who is not of your people Israel, comes from a far country for your name's sake 42 (for they shall hear of your great name and your mighty hand, and of your outstretched arm), when he comes and prays toward this house, 43 hear in heaven your dwelling place and do according to all for which the foreigner calls to you, in order that all the peoples of the earth may know your name and fear you, as do your people Israel, and that they may know that this house that I have built is called by your name.44 “If your people go out to battle against their enemy, by whatever way you shall send them, and they pray to the Lord toward the city that you have chosen and the house that I have built for your name, 45 then hear in heaven their prayer and their plea and maintain their cause.

AND

46 “If they sin against you—for there is no one who does not sin—and you are angry with them and give them to an enemy, so that they are carried away captive to the land of the enemy, far off or near,

47 yet if they turn their heart in the land to which they have been carried captive, and repent and plead with you in the land of their captors, saying, ‘We have sinned and have acted perversely and wickedly,’ 48 if they repent with all their heart and with all their soul in the land of their enemies, who carried them captive, and pray to you toward their land, which you gave to their fathers, the city that you have chosen, and the house that I have built for your name, 49 then hear in heaven your dwelling place their prayer and their plea, and maintain their cause 50 and forgive your people who have sinned against you, and all their transgressions that they have committed against you, and grant them compassion in the sight of those who carried them captive, that they may have compassion on them

51 (for they are your people, and your heritage, which you brought out of Egypt, from the midst of the iron furnace). 52 Let your eyes be open to the plea of your servant and to the plea of your people Israel, giving ear to them whenever they call to you. 53 For you separated them from among all the peoples of the earth to be your heritage, as you declared through Moses your servant, when you brought our fathers out of Egypt, O Lord God.”

Therefore HIS Glory is a Perfect Balance of All His Attributes

Power, Majesty, Righteousness, Justice, Judgement, Grace, Mercy, Love, Joy are all equal parts of God’s Glory.  We must not place one above the other, if we hope to know God as we should.  It is only then that we will bow down honoring Him and humbly worship Him for all that He is. 

DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD? He is our only Hope in Life and Death! Our Joy is found in Him.

Therefore if you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you today. Go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.

For Prayer or Comments

If you have a prayer request feel free to email me by clicking here

Furthermore, if you would like to share your story or thoughts, you can comment here

PREVIOUS

Do You Want Wisdom?  Seek God Who Reigns over Life

DISCLOSURES

©Effie Darlene Barba, 2021
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. Furthermore, I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Credits

New King James Version (NKJV)

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Photo licensed through Goodsalt.com

[1] https://www.exploratorium.edu/origins/cern/ideas/bang.html#:~:text=In%20contrast%2C%20cosmologists%20believe%20the,a%20second%20after%20the%20explosion.

Estimated reading time: 13 minutes

Do You Want Wisdom?  Seek God Who Reigns over Life

        Why study the books of Kings or Chronicles in the Old Testament?  After all it is so complex with names, genealogies, intermixed with stories of good and bad.  It is like trying to piece together a very complex puzzle and can leave me as confused as when trying to diagnose a complex set of patient’s symptoms.  And that can be so confusing.  Every piece must interlock.  Furthermore, people’s names all seem confusing enough; yet are at times written a little different in each of the books.  Yet, it is the same God who reigns over life who spoke the words that are included here through various writers.  There were other books even alluded to, which are not here as His inspired word.  In that, we must trust His wisdom concerning it all. 

        So, God’s provision of these text must have purpose in our own life, today.  If we read and study with a desire to know their relevance to us we will find it. They bring us hope and peace even in the complex world we live it.  After all it was Solomon with all his wisdom, who came to see the heart of humanity, even his own.  Vanity of Vanities he wrote, all is vanity and vexation of spirit.  He declared, “What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun.”  Ecclesiastes 1: 9 (ESV). 

        There is no hope apart from the Grace of God and His promises.  As we read the story of Israel, we may feel we are watching the scripts of our own world.  So, the question is “Do we want wisdom?”   Then Study to know He who gives of it freely and discover hope, joy, and peace.

God Reigns in the Affairs of Mankind and Governments

         As the book of 1 Kings opens, we find David very ill on his death bed.  He exemplified a life of faith.  His heart truly loved God.  Despite his faith, he had sinned against God at times.  Yet, remained the man after God’s own heart.  He passionately loved God and trusted God with all his heart.  He suffered many sorrows. Some resulted from his own sins, which even brought devastating effects on his children and his nation.  For these he wept bitterly.  Other sorrows resulted from the sins of others.  He saw the evil in this world and his own heart with clarity. That caused him to fall before God in deep repentance at times.  And at other times he sang forth with such joyous worship, that some thought him crazy.  Through it all, he learned to trust in God and rest in His grace. 

        He desired to build the temple of God; but God said no.  There was too much blood on his hands for that.  Yet, it was through the line of David that Jesus was born.  God designated that David’s son build the temple.  David gathered all the supplies, designated the plans, and taught them all to the one God had chosen to be his successor.  Of all his children, God had declared Solomon to be King of Israel.  You see, God sees the hearts of men and chooses His own by foreknowledge and design.  And in His wisdom, He chose Solomon to build the temple

Solomon to be the King

         As we open the book of Kings, there is laid out a beautiful, tender story of David’s frailty.  It also tells us that his son Adonijah, seizing the opportunity, went out to create a feast where he would be declared the King.  Afterall with Amnon and Absalom dead, he believed himself to be next in line.  I am not certain what happened to David’s second son Daniel (also known as Chileab).  Some speculate that he died in his youth, but this we do not know for certain.    Whatever, the case, Adonijah was in a hurry to claim his position as King. 

        Meanwhile, when Bathsheba heard of this, she came very respectfully to advise David of what was happening.  Nathan, the priest who had called David out for his sin with Bathsheba was also present.  I was at first a bit confused, thinking God allowed all this to place whom He willed on the throne.  Yet, I looked a little farther and found. God had declared this long before.  She was the instrument to remind David. 

Although, what an amazing act of grace and love by God.  It was Bathsheba’s son who was the one to be in the line of Christ.  My romantic side always believed David loved her above all the others.  Furthermore, I believe that Proverbs 31 was a special song written for her.  (It was an acrostic poem.  Only David is recorded writing acrostic poems.  And Solomon recorded it, albeit by a pseudonym).

God’s Reigns over the Affairs of Men

        In I Chronicles, one may read of the sons of David.  In order of birth they were Amnon, Daniel, Absalom, Adonijah, Shephatiah, Ithream all born in Hebron before he was with Bathsheba.  Then in Jerusalem with Bathsheba were born Shimea, Shobab, Nathan, and then Solomon. After them were 9 more born.  I Chronicles 1:1-9.  I point this out because in a societal order where the first born would have the right to the throne, Solomon was number 10.  Even of Bathsheba’s children, he was the youngest.   

The Power and Wisdom of God

Yet, God had already instructed David and encouraged him. 

12 When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 14 I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son. When he commits iniquity, I will discipline him with the rod of men, with the stripes of the sons of men, 15 but my steadfast love will not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away from before you. 16 And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me.[c] Your throne shall be established forever.’   2 Samuel 7: (ESV)

As also recorded in Chronicles.  Your throne shall be established forever—Jesus Christ is the one who will return in the line of David to establish His everlasting kingdom

11 When your days are fulfilled to walk with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, one of your own sons, and I will establish his kingdom. 12 He shall build a house for me, and I will establish his throne forever. 13 I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son. I will not take my steadfast love from him, as I took it from him who was before you, 14 but I will confirm him in my house and in my kingdom forever, and his throne shall be established forever.’” 15 In accordance with all these words, and in accordance with all this vision, Nathan spoke to David.   I Chronicles 17 (ESV)

Furthermore, He named the King

David painstakingly prepared for the temple to be built.  Everything needed was prepared so it could be built quickly. 

6 Then he called for Solomon his son and charged him to build a house for the Lord, the God of Israel. 7 David said to Solomon, “My son, I had it in my heart to build a house to the name of the Lord my God. 8 But the word of the Lord came to me, saying, ‘You have shed much blood and have waged great wars. You shall not build a house to my name, because you have shed so much blood before me on the earth.

9 Behold, a son shall be born to you who shall be a man of rest. I will give him rest from all his surrounding enemies. For his name shall be Solomon, and I will give peace and quiet to Israel in his days. 10 He shall build a house for my name. He shall be my son, and I will be his father, and I will establish his royal throne in Israel forever.’  I Chronicles 22 (ESV)

Not certain about any of you, but I had not noticed this before. 

God’s Chosen Are Not Exempt from Sin

After David had died, Solomon made a treaty with Egypt.  He married Pharoah’s daughter and brought her to the city of David because he had not yet built his house, the walls of Jerusalem, nor the temple.  Although this was a way to maintain peace and a common custom, this practice of marrying pagan women and allowing them to practice idolatry led to the people of Israel sinning against God.  I find it interesting that Solomon delayed at all in the building of the temple and continued to worship in the high places which later became pagan temples. 

He had not forgotten God.  Did he procrastinate or was all this just while the work was being done? We are not told, but we do know he was acting as King already before the encounter in which he asked for wisdom.  We also know that Nehemiah later said,

25 And I confronted them and cursed them and beat some of them and pulled out their hair. And I made them take an oath in the name of God, saying, “You shall not give your daughters to their sons, or take their daughters for your sons or for yourselves. 26 Did not Solomon king of Israel sin on account of such women? Among the many nations there was no king like him, and he was beloved by his God, and God made him king over all Israel. Nevertheless, foreign women made even him to sin. 27 Shall we then listen to you and do all this great evil and act treacherously against our God by marrying foreign women?”  Nehemiah 13 (ESV)

Solomon Asks for Wisdom

3 Solomon loved the Lord, walking in the statutes of David his father, only he sacrificed and made offerings at the high places. 4 And the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there, for that was the great high place. Solomon used to offer a thousand burnt offerings on that altar. 5 At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night, and God said, “Ask what I shall give you.” 6 And Solomon said, “You have shown great and steadfast love to your servant David my father, because he walked before you in faithfulness, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart toward you. And you have kept for him this great and steadfast love and have given him a son to sit on his throne this day.

7 And now, O Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of David my father, although I am but a little child. I do not know how to go out or come in. 8 And your servant is in the midst of your people whom you have chosen, a great people, too many to be numbered or counted for multitude. 9 Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?”

God’s Response–Wisdom is Yours

10 It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this. 11 And God said to him, “Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches or the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, 12 behold, I now do according to your word. Behold, I give you a wise and discerning mind, so that none like you has been before you and none like you shall arise after you. 13 I give you also what you have not asked, both riches and honor, so that no other king shall compare with you, all your days. 14 And if you will walk in my ways, keeping my statutes and my commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your days.”

15 And Solomon awoke, and behold, it was a dream. Then he came to Jerusalem and stood before the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and offered up burnt offerings and peace offerings, and made a feast for all his servants.  I Kings 3 (ESV)

Concluding thoughts

  1.  God is in Control, even when we do not understand
  2.   Salvation is by Grace Alone
  3.   The best of men are men at best
  4.   Seek Wisdom, for God is Wisdom.  He is our hope and joy
  5.   As we watch the ups and downs of Israel, we watch the same unfolding of how men and women walk away from God.
  6. Be diligent
  7. Trust God and He will lead you home. 
DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD? He is our only Hope in Life and Death! Our Joy is found in Him.

Therefore if you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you today. Go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.

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DISCLOSURES

©Effie Darlene Barba, 2021
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. Furthermore, I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Credits

New King James Version (NKJV)

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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