Today's Reading:
1 Kings 10-11, 2 Chron. 9, Ro. 6
I've added an extra section after my daily devotions. I call it "Personally Speaking" (or "PS" for short) where I share my personal thoughts on what's happening in the world and the Church.
Scripture
“King Solomon, however, loved many foreign women … They were from nations about which the Lord had told the Israelites, “You must not intermarry with them, because they will surely turn your hearts after their gods.” … As Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods, and his heart was not fully devoted to the Lord his God, as the heart of David his father had been.” (1 Kings 11:1-4)
Observation
I have to admit … This one puzzles me. Solomon is my hero. How often have I prayed his prayer for wisdom? I have read his words in Proverbs over and again. Ecclesiastes bears such prudent principles, nevertheless, Solomon goes from the Queen of Sheba being astonished at his wisdom, and in the very next chapter, he starts the downward tumble. He started off so wise, and ends up so foolish! I guess the lesson here is that wisdom doesn’t necessarily have a long shelf life without a regular maintenance schedule in place. It’s like a car. Just because it runs great when it’s new, that’s no guarantee it will be still be running great in a few years. Oil needs to be changed, tire pressure checked, fluids refilled, joints greased and filters replaced. Without regular maintenance, what was shiny and new in the beginning will become a rust-bucket in the end. I heard it said in leadership terms: “No matter what you’ve achieved, you DON’T own success. Success is rented … and rent is due daily.”
Application
I have witnessed this in my own life as well as in the life and ministry of many others. I have seen my own friends who started with a bang and ended prematurely with a thud. They went from a hero to a zero in 60 seconds. I used to follow them, but later, unfollowed them! Robert Clinton, in his book, “The Making of a Leader,” opines that only 30% of leaders end well. I was amazed at that statistic, but as time traveled on, I look back and now I see how accurate his statement was. I have, in a notebook, a list of giants that fell. Solomon wasn’t the only one. Therefore, I must keep a well-scheduled maintenance program in motion, and as the Christmas tune says, “I’m making a list and checking it twice” … otherwise, only time will tell who’s been naughty or nice.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, if I may, I would like to keep praying for the wisdom of Solomon, but help me to remain obedient to Your Word … no matter how much is achieved. I never want to think that I am immune from the wages of sin. Thank you for reminding me from Your Word every morning how to remain under your Wings and how to walk so that I may please You. So, my prayer today is from Psalm 119:111 … “Thy Word have I hid in my heart that I may not sin against Thee!”
Today we celebrate Memorial Day, a time when we are reminded to be thankful for the ultimate sacrifices made by so many that we may live in a Democracy where freedom rings and we are free to worship God. That was the original mission for which many gave their lives. However, over the past few decades, we have forgotten why our country was founded.
John Adams said to the generations that would follow him, these profound words:
“Posterity! You will never know how much it cost the present generation to preserve your freedom! I hope you will make a good use of it. If you do not, I shall repent in Heaven that I ever took half the pains to preserve it.”
I wonder if he is repenting right now in heaven because he sees our nation losing its moorings. If we do not remember the original vision that motivated men and women to give the ultimate sacrifice in the first place, our once great country can become a rust-bucket in no time. I will commit to retain our stand for God and country as a pastor and as a church.
We stand for the flag, and we kneel at the cross.
“One nation, under God.”
This is a picture of our cross plaza on the New Hope Christian College campus in Eugene Oregon [newhope.edu]
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