4/8/2025
Waking up to a damp, cold morning after days of warm, spring weather set a chill in my bones, but I woke up pretty rested and in time to tune in for Kehilat HaCarmel's Worship Watch at 7 am, then over to Pastor Jack Hibb's 8 am 5 minute prayer, before the 9:30 am daily global prayer. It seems as if my life is about prayer, and pretty much it is, but it's a joy to gather with others expecting miracles.
I was so excited and encouraged that I got up to speed on my daily posts, but I am still catching up with My Daily Walk. All else is on point. I still think I am over zealous at times, but it is hard for me to say "no." I'm getting better at it though. I've been trying to cut back on news, but I only look at trusted, Christian news sources. I tend to already know about things happening before I see the news. It comes to me in many ways.
I've been reading 1 Kings about the life of Solomon, and I'm slowly seeing the wisest man in all of the kingdom do some things that are not wise. Regardless of his compromises, which finally led to outright sin, his actions seem inconceivable. First thing he marries Pharaoh's daughter, and over the 40 years of his reign he had seven hundred wives and three hundred concubines, who turned his heart to the worship of their idols, to include Ashtoreth, goddess of the Sidonians and Milcom the god of the Ammonites. In 1 Kings 11:6-8 it is related that: "Thus Solomon did what was clearly wrong and refused to follow the Lord as his father David did. He even built a temple on the Mount of Olives, across the valley from Jerusalem, for Chemosh, the depraved god of Moab, and another for Molech, the unutterably vile god of the Ammonites."
Hard to believe that this is the same young man who humbled himself before the God of Israel and asked for wisdom to serve his people and an understanding heart. After the tabernacle was completed a beautiful dedication of the temple was held, and Solomon praised the God of Israel, and gave thanks to the faithfulness of his God. He also sought repentance, asking God to forgive their evil deeds as a nation. But his ultimate moral decline and change in disposition eventually twisted Solomon's heart, but God still loved him, and divided the kingdom. But, because of God's love and covenant with David, He did not take the kingdom away from Solomon, nor did He divide it while Solomon was king. So Israel experienced peace for 40 years while Solomon was king.
God was very clear when the instructions were given through Moses, Joshua, and the prophets. Still, man did not heed the call. That seems to be the way we are, even when we know better. The scriptures relate the mistakes of the people of Israel, so this can serve as an example to anyone who seeks for Him with their own heart. God's purposes will not be thwarted. He's not interested in anything other than the heart of a person. He looks for character, and He desire a relationship with us. Faithfulness and commitment are the two characteristics He seeks. He also keeps His covenant when people follow His commands. We simply need to obey Him and trust Him for whatever comes our way. So we don't fall into the trap of the enemy, as Solomon did by lusting after the things of this life, we need to pray daily and often, read the word, talk to someone or become involved in discipleship classes. This way we stay connected, staying on the straight and narrow path, growing in God's love and grace, desiring and trusting Him in every way. When we open our eyes first thing in the morning, let the high praises of God be on our lips, a hymn of praise unto our God. Each day may we offer up a sacrifice of praise, as we enter into His gates with thanksgiving and into His courts with praise. He alone is worthy of it all!
No comments:
Post a Comment