What happens when you feel that you have done your very best.  Still the world collapses around you?  You have prayed night and day for your country, your family, your friends as you watch everything going up in flames.  All your labor you see as inconsequential.  So many miracles realized.  God’s glory displayed as never before.  You ran with excitement, knowing this would be the moment.  Surely, everything would be wonderful.  But alas, the thing you had most wanted does not happen. Not the way you thought it should.  Depression Overwhelms your heart.  Is there anyplace to turn where you can find hope?  Did you fail?  Was it your fault?

Elijah did as God commanded.  The Glory of God shown forth with brilliance as the sacrifice was lit with fire from God.  All the people and King Ahab witnessed this.  They had witnessed God’s power and resolve when the rain stopped for 3 years and six months.  And then returned as promised when Elijah prayed.  God used Elijah to show forth the Sovereignty of God and the powerlessness of the fake other gods they worshiped.  Their useless gods were symbols of their imaginations, fed by their own sinful desires and the wish to justify their depravity of spirit and life. 

As the rainstorm began, Elijah ran alongside the Kings Chariot. Can you imagine His heart beating with glee?  After all this, surely a revival would break out.  All the evil priests were dead.  God was fully vindicated.  Certainly, they would all turn from their sins to follow God.  The King and Israel would be saved at last.

But instead, Queen Jezebel threatened Elijah’s life.  He ran in fear.   Sorrow gripped his heart.  Elijah cast aside his shield of faith, as depression shot its darts deep within his heart. 

When Depression Overwhelms Your Heart

Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, including a detailed account of how he killed all the prophets with the sword. ² Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah with this warning,^[a] “May the gods judge me severely^[b] if by this time tomorrow I do not take your life as you did theirs!”^{[c] 3} Elijah was afraid,^[d] so he got up and fled for his life to Beer Sheba in Judah. He left his servant there, ⁴ while he went a day’s journey into the wilderness. He went and sat down under a shrub^[e] and asked the Lord to take his life:^[f] “I’ve had enough! Now, O Lord, take my life. After all, I’m no better than my ancestors.”  I Kings 19 (NET). 

Notice: he plead for God to take his life because he saw himself to be “no better than those who had rejected God.”  This was the first time we are told he went anywhere without it being by God’s direct command.  Yet here he was in the depths of depression.  Did he see his own sin of either pride, fear, or faithlessness? Did he believe the lack of revival was because of hidden sin in his own life?

What About Us When Depression Overwhelms?

How easily one falls after some amazing miracle.  High from the “glory” we cast aside our shield of faith. Heart wide open to Satan’s arrows we take a hit.  Then depression overwhelms and we withdraw to a place of solitude.  Why is that?  Does pride seep in from all the victories?  Or fear driving us away, when just for a second, we do not hear God’s voice directing us? It is that way, when faith fades and fears rise within us, we cannot hear God’s clear voice.  Even if this is only for a split second in time, we run away.

There Is A Time When Running Stops

There is only so far one can run before it becomes necessary to stop for a while.  

⁵ (Elijah) stretched out^[h] and fell asleep under the shrub. I King 19

 Point 1 When Depression overwhelms your heart—take time for rest and nourishment.

The Kindness of God Brings Hope and Rest

Suddenly an angelic messenger^[i] touched him and said, “Get up and eat.” ⁶ He looked and right there by his head was a cake baking on hot coals and a jug of water. He ate and drank and then slept some more.^{[j] 7} The angel of the Lord came back again, touched him, and said, “Get up and eat, for otherwise you won’t be able to make the journey.”^{[k] 8} So he got up and ate and drank. That meal gave him the strength to travel forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God.  I Kings 19 (NET)

Notice, God did not rebuke him for his fear.  Instead, God sent an angel to feed him and to watch over him.  God realized that he was tired and needed nourishment and rest before he would be ready to go on.  Then he traveled for forty days and forty nights.  Some believe this was symbolic of the 40 years the Israelites wandered in the desert near Horeb because of their disobedience.  However, I rather see it as God’s grace presenting a picture of Christ who would go for forty days and forty nights in the desert without food or drink while being tempted by Satan.  Do note the one meal gave him “the strength to travel forty days and forty nights to reach the mountain of God.” 

Also of note, where did Elijah head?  To the mountain of God to seek refuge there.  God has not yet spoken to him.  His despair is real still; but he is seeking to find God’s voice again. 

So, point 2 when Depression overwhelms your heart—seek God with all your being.  Go to a place you know He is present.

God Speaks  to His servant

⁹ He went into a cave there and spent the night. Suddenly the Lord’s message came to him, “Why are you here, Elijah?” ¹⁰ He answered, “I have been absolutely loyal^[l] to the Lord God of Heaven’s Armies,^[m] even though the Israelites have abandoned the covenant they made with you,^[n] torn down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left and now they want to take my life.”^[o]

Notice: “I Alone Am LEFT”—Wow!  Have you ever felt that way?  It is a deeply lonely place to be when Depression overwhelms your heart.  I wish I could say, I have never been there.  But I have too often and usually after I have majorly failed God.  Caught in my own self’s pity party.  It is good to know that God responded with such grace.  He did begin first with a command that was not even adhered to. 

¹¹ The Lord^[p] said, “Go out and stand on the mountain before the Lord. Look, the Lord is ready to pass by.”  I Kings 19.

He did not go at first.  Was he ashamed or afraid or still just depressed?

A very powerful wind went before the Lord, digging into the mountain and causing landslides,^[q] but the Lord was not in the wind. After the windstorm there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake.  ¹² After the earthquake, there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire.  After the fire, there was a soft whisper.^[r]

Point #3: When Depression Overwhelms Your Heart:  Do not get distracted by all the chaos around you—Remember God is on your side.

If God is for us, who can be^[i] against us? Romans 8:31

The Gentleness of God

 Psalm 103 (NKJV)

As a father pities his children,
So the Lord pities those who fear Him.
¹⁴ For He ^[a]knows our frame;
He remembers that we are dust.

¹⁵ As for man, his days are like grass;
As a flower of the field, so he flourishes.
¹⁶ For the wind passes over it, and it is ^[b]gone,
And its place remembers it no more.
¹⁷ But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting
On those who fear Him,

And so, it was for Elijah.  When he heard God’s whisper, he remembered His grace.

After the fire, there was a soft whisper.^{[r] 13} When Elijah heard it, he covered his face with his robe and went out and stood at the entrance to the cave. Suddenly^[s] a voice asked him, “Why are you here, Elijah?” ¹⁴ He answered, “I have been absolutely loyal^[t] to the Lord God of Heaven’s Armies,^[u] even though the Israelites have abandoned the covenant they made with you, torn down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left and now they want to take my life.”^[v]

Point #4:  When Depression Overwhelms You—be honest with yourself and with God.  He knows what you are thinking anyway, so just say it out loud so you can hear it yourself.

God Recommissions His Prophet to a New Area

¹⁵ The Lord said to him, “Go back the way you came and then head for the wilderness of Damascus. Go and anoint Hazael king over Syria. ¹⁶ You must anoint Jehu son of Nimshi king over Israel, and Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to take your place as prophet. ¹⁷ Jehu will kill anyone who escapes Hazael’s sword, and Elisha will kill anyone who escapes Jehu’s sword. ¹⁸ I still have left in Israel 7,000 followers who have not bowed their knees to Baal or kissed the images of him.”^[w]

New commission, you will go out and anoint the King of Syria (the one who will attack Israel).  It was Hazael who fought against Israel and Judah, taking possession of all of Israel east of the Jordan.  Although he does not take over as King until well after Elijah’s death; yet, he was anointed to become King against a lot of odds.  But God always accomplishes what He determines to do. 

Furthermore, God told Elijah that he was not alone.  He was to train his predecessor and there were 7000 Israelite who were faithful to God.

Point #5:  When Depression Overwhelms Your Heart:  God loves you so much He will not leave you here one second beyond the last task He has for you to do on this earth. 

God Takes Elijah Home

There were some other missions that Elijah carried out including his foretelling of Ahab’s death and the death of Ahab’s son as well.  Then God called him home. 

Ahab knew it was nearing time as God ordered him to Gilgal, to Jericho and then to Jordan.  Each step of this journey, he told Elisha to stay behind.  But Elisha refused to leave his side.  At each stop they spoke with other Godly prophets who also told Elisha, God is going to take your master home soon.  Then they came to the Jordan.  Elijah dipped his rod in and the waters parted just as they had for the Moses long before.  He walked across with Elisha at his side (since Elisha refused to leave him).

⁹ When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, “Ask what I shall do for you, before I am taken from you.” And Elisha said, “Please let there be a double portion of your spirit on me.” ¹⁰ And he said, “You have asked a hard thing; yet, if you see me as I am being taken from you, it shall be so for you, but if you do not see me, it shall not be so.” ¹¹ And as they still went on and talked, behold, chariots of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them. And Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. ¹² And Elisha saw it and he cried, “My father, my father! The chariots of Israel and its horsemen!” And he saw him no more.

Point #6: When Depression Overwhelms Your Heart:  God has gone to prepare a place for you and I where we will live forever with Him.  Just a little while longer and we will see His face.

POINT #7:  When Depression Overwhelms Your Heart:

Never ever forget! This life regardless of how long you may live is but a blink of the eye compared to eternity.

⁷ But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that the extraordinary power^[o] belongs to God and does not come from us. ⁸ We are experiencing trouble on every side,^[p] but are not crushed; we are perplexed,^[q] but not driven to despair; ⁹ we are persecuted, but not abandoned;^[r] we are knocked down,^[s] but not destroyed, ¹⁰ always carrying around in our body the death of Jesus,^[t] so that the life of Jesus may also be made visible^[u] in our body. ^... ¹⁴ We do so^[ab] because we know that the one who raised up Jesus^[ac] will also raise us up with Jesus and will bring us with you into his presence.

¹⁵ For all these things are for your sake, so that the grace that is including^[ad] more and more people may cause thanksgiving to increase^[ae] to the glory of God. ¹⁶ Therefore we do not despair,^[af] but even if our physical body^[ag] is wearing away, our inner person^[ah] is being renewed day by day. ¹⁷ For our momentary, light suffering^[ai] is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison ¹⁸ because we are not looking at what can be seen but at what cannot be seen. For what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal.  (2Corinthians 4) NET

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 Really Experience a Faith Evidencing Truth Beyond Sight

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

        Now faith is the ^[a]substance of things hoped for, the ^[b]evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1 (NKJV).  Faith is believing beyond what our human eyes can see.  Substance is defined as “the real physical matter of which a person or thing consists and which has a tangible, solid presence.”[1] Therefore faith is the solid, tangible reality of our greatest hopes.  It is there that we see beyond our human eyes and ears to recognize the truth of God. His truth rises within our hearts and minds presenting inexpressible joy.  That undeniable exuberance of joy, however fleeting it may be, points us to a faith evidencing truth beyond sight.  How else could it be possible to experience love that lifts us higher than can be imagined. Or joy that goes beyond our imagination with the simplest of pleasures. 

        It is precisely that kind of faith Elijah experienced.  He was a simple man of whom we are given little introduction.  We first hear of him in I Kings 17: 1 KJV

And Elijah the Tishbite, of the inhabitants of Gilead, said to Ahab, “As the Lord God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, except at my word.”

That is it.  We are not given a genealogy.  He most likely was either from the tribe of Manasseh or Gad.  Still, he was God’s chosen man who remains a part of the future prophecies as well.  He it is that stood with Jesus and Moses on the mount of transfiguration in Luke 9.  So, what was it about this simple prophet’s faith evidencing truth beyond sight that we may learn from.

Elijah Boldly Speaks to the King

        We begin with Elijah telling King Ahab that a severe drought was coming, and God had placed Elijah in charge of pronouncing it’s beginning and it’s end.  Although this came as direct judgment from God on the sins of Israel, one can imagine how King Ahab took this.  King Ahab is known as being one if not the most evil King of Israel. 

³⁰ Ahab son of Omri did more evil in the sight of^[ag] the Lord than all who were before him. ³¹ As if following in the sinful footsteps of Jeroboam son of Nebat were not bad enough, he married Jezebel the daughter of King Ethbaal of the Sidonians. Then he worshiped and bowed to Baal.^{[ah] 32} He set up an altar for Baal in the temple of Baal he had built in Samaria. ³³ Ahab also made an Asherah pole; he^[ai] did more to anger the Lord God of Israel than all the kings of Israel who were before him. I Kings 16: (NET)

Deuteronomy 16:KJV  ²¹ Thou shalt not plant thee a grove of any trees near unto the altar of the Lord thy God, which thou shalt make thee.²² Neither shalt thou set thee up any image; which the Lord thy God hateth.

In direct disobedience to God’s commands in the law

¹¹ “Obey^[w] what I am commanding you this day. I am going to drive out^[x] before you the Amorite, the Canaanite, the Hittite, the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite. ¹² Be careful not to make^[y] a covenant with the inhabitants of the land where you are going, lest it become a snare^[z] among you. ¹³ Rather you must destroy their altars, smash their images, and cut down their Asherah poles.^{[aa] 14} For you must not worship^[ab] any other god,^[ac] for the Lord, whose name^[ad] is Jealous, is a jealous God.

¹⁵ Be careful^[ae] not to make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land, for when^[af] they prostitute themselves^[ag] to their gods and sacrifice to their gods, and someone invites you,^[ah] you will eat from his sacrifice; ¹⁶ and you then take^[ai] his daughters for your sons, and when his daughters prostitute themselves to their gods, they will make your sons prostitute themselves to their gods as well. ¹⁷ You must not make yourselves molten gods.  Exodus 34: (NET)

God had even given them the why for this. Take no prisoners, for they may defile you.    There are times we too must be very careful.  We cannot believe that in the name of Christ we must go forth and compromise with the truth just to get along. 

Psalm 1: (NKJV)

Blessed is the man
Who walks not in the counsel of the ^[a^]ungodly,
Nor stands in the path of sinners,
Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
² But his delight is in the law of the Lord,
And in His law he ^[b^]meditates day and night.
³ He shall be like a tree
Planted by the ^[c^]rivers of water,
That brings forth its fruit in its season,
Whose leaf also shall not wither;
And whatever he does shall prosper.

⁴ The ungodly are not so,
But are like the chaff which the wind drives away.
⁵ Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment,
Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.

⁶ For the Lord knows the way of the righteous,
But the way of the ungodly shall perish.

Who Was Baal?

Baal was the god of Fertility who also controlled the weather, particularly rain and rainstorms.  He was the one whom the people presented their babies to be burned as sacrifice.

A Faith Evidencing Truth Beyond Sight from the Beginning

Now back to Elijah.  It was into this backdrop that God sent Elijah.  Remember all the Levite priests had gone south to Judah.  The true believers had departed to the caves.  Yet God asks Elijah to go and tell Ahab it will not rain, nor dew until I say so, thus saith the Lord God Almighty.  No wonder God then immediately told him to leave.

² And the word of the Lord came to him, saying, ³ “Go from here and turn eastward and hide yourself by the brook Cherith, which is east of the Jordan [River]. ⁴ You shall drink from the brook, and I have commanded the ravens to sustain you there [with food].” ⁵ So he went and did in accordance with the word of the Lord; he went and lived by the brook Cherith, which is east of the Jordan. ⁶ And the ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning, and bread and meat in the evening; and he would drink from the brook. ⁷ It happened after a while that the brook dried up, because there was no rain in the land. I Kings 17

Sometimes God tells us to stand and sometimes He tells us to go. 

Elijah listened well to God’s instructions. 

⁷ And after a while the brook dried up, because there was no rain in the land.⁸ Then the word of the Lord came to him, ⁹ “Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and dwell there. Behold, I have commanded a widow there to feed you.” ¹⁰ So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, behold, a widow was there gathering sticks. And he called to her and said, “Bring me a little water in a vessel, that I may drink.” ¹¹ And as she was going to bring it, he called to her and said, “Bring me a morsel of bread in your hand.” I Kings 1:17 (ESV).

James said,

Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. James 5:17 (NKJV)

As we examine his faith, perhaps it is comforting to know he was a man with a nature like ours.  He had his moments of doubt; yet, in spite of them he did whatever God instructed him to.  It was God teaching him how to experience Faith evidencing truth beyond sight. 

Sharing His Faith with Another

¹² And she said, “As the Lord your God lives, I have nothing baked, only a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug. And now I am gathering a couple of sticks that I may go in and prepare it for myself and my son, that we may eat it and die.”

¹³ And Elijah said to her, “Do not fear; go and do as you have said. But first make me a little cake of it and bring it to me, and afterward make something for yourself and your son. ¹⁴ For thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, ‘The jar of flour shall not be spent, and the jug of oil shall not be empty, until the day that the Lord sends rain upon the earth.’” ¹⁵ And she went and did as Elijah said. And she and he and her household ate for many days. ¹⁶ The jar of flour was not spent, neither did the jug of oil become empty, according to the word of the Lord that he spoke by Elijah.

When Faith Is Shaken

Then the widow’s son died.  Such heartbreak! Had she not listened and obeyed God’s words through the prophet?  Then why?  Well for Elijah it was another step of faith required to prepare him for the next step of the journey.  He took the child upstairs into a room where he prayed earnestly.  Three times he pleaded with God.  He did not waiver when it appeared that God was not answering.  Instead, he continued constant in prayer.  The boy’s life returned.  Both the widow and Elijah were strengthened in a faith evidencing truth beyond sight.  Sight said, the boy is dead.  Truth was God had not spoken yet. 

Then, God told Elijah to go confront Ahab.  Now remember there has been a drought and famine throughout the land.  King Ahab had been searching for him to kill him.  But now Elijah with God on his side went to see King Ahab

¹⁷ When Ahab saw Elijah, Ahab said to him, “Is it you, you troubler of Israel?” ¹⁸ And he answered, “I have not troubled Israel, but you have, and your father’s house, because you have abandoned the commandments of the Lord and followed the Baals. ¹⁹ Now therefore send and gather all Israel to me at Mount Carmel, and the 450 prophets of Baal and the 400 prophets of Asherah, who eat at Jezebel’s table.” I Kings 18 (ESV)

A Hope in That Which Is Not Real

So, he did.  Everyone gathered at Mount Carmel where Elijah and God were about to have a throw down with all these false prophets.  The stage was set.  God against Baal.  As a gentleman, Elijah let the 850 false prophets go first.  The challenge was whose God could burn the sacrifice and therefore had the power to restore the rain. 

They went first.  The calf was cut to pieces and laid on the altar.  All they had to do was to call out to Baal to light the fire. 

²⁶ And they took the bull that was given them, and they prepared it and called upon the name of Baal from morning until noon, saying, “O Baal, answer us!” But there was no voice, and no one answered. And they limped around the altar that they had made. ²⁷ And at noon Elijah mocked them, saying, “Cry aloud, for he is a god. Either he is musing, or he is relieving himself, or he is on a journey, or perhaps he is asleep and must be awakened.” ²⁸ And they cried aloud and cut themselves after their custom with swords and lances, until the blood gushed out upon them. ²⁹ And as midday passed, they raved on until the time of the offering of the oblation, but there was no voice. No one answered, no one paid attention. 

And so, it is when we humans trust in false idols, trusting them to be our hope.

Faith Evidencing Truth Beyond Sight

Then it was Elijah’s turn.  Now the people who were watching were the Israelites.  He instructed them to pour water on the sacrifice Elijah prepared and the wooden altar.  Not just once but twice, he instructed them to cover it with water.  Additionally, he built a trough around the altar and filled it with water.  Now water was a scarcity, but the crowd had waited all day to see a miracle.  They did as told and poured drenched the sacrifice and the wood.  I guess in a sense this too was an act of faith if not one of desperation.   

³⁶ And at the time of the offering of the oblation, Elijah the prophet came near and said, “O Lord, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that you are God in Israel, and that I am your servant, and that I have done all these things at your word. ³⁷ Answer me, O Lord, answer me, that this people may know that you, O Lord, are God, and that you have turned their hearts back.” ³⁸ Then the fire of the Lord fell and consumed the burnt offering and the wood and the stones and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench. ³⁹ And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces and said, “The Lord, he is God; the Lord, he is God.” I Kings 18

And the false prophets?

⁴⁰ And Elijah said to them, “Seize the prophets of Baal! Do not let one of them escape!” So they seized them; and Elijah brought them down to the Brook Kishon and executed them there.  I Kings 18 (NKJV)

Perseverance in prayer.

Elijah had no doubt that God would answer and restore the rain to the land; but again, had to have a faith evidencing truth beyond sight.

⁴¹ Then Elijah said to Ahab, “Go up, eat and drink; for there is the sound of abundance of rain.” ⁴² So Ahab went up to eat and drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; then he bowed down on the ground, and put his face between his knees, ⁴³ and said to his servant, “Go up now, look toward the sea.”

So he went up and looked, and said, “There is nothing.” And seven times he said, “Go again.”

⁴⁴ Then it came to pass the seventh time, that he said, “There is a cloud, as small as a man’s hand, rising out of the sea!” So he said, “Go up, say to Ahab, ^[j]‘Prepare your chariot, and go down before the rain stops you.’ ”

⁴⁵ Now it happened in the meantime that the sky became black with clouds and wind, and there was a heavy rain.  So, Ahab rode away and went to Jezreel. ⁴⁶ Then the hand of the Lord came upon Elijah; and he girded^[k] up his loins and ran ahead of Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel.  I Kings 18:

Concluding thoughts:

Faith evidencing truth beyond sight comes from trusting in a Sovereign God who rules with righteousness, justice, sprinkled with mercy and love.  God had shown His Glory, and Elijah trusted him.  Although as we see next week.  Even the greatest of believers can at moments fall into moments of despair. 

---

[3] https://truthingrace.com/2009/02/16/baal-worship-then-and-now/

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 Cross the Finish Line with Glory When Broken?

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

        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

        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

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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.

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.

        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.

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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.

New English Translation (NET)

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