Day 94

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Solomon's descent into idolatry, Willem de Poorter, Rijksmuseum

Scripture

April 3—1 Kings 9-11: Solomon's Fame, Fortune and Failure

Observation

A fitting epitaph over Solomon's life might read. "The wise king who acted foolishly." Solomon's spreading fame and mushrooming wealth begin to fill his heart with pride. His wholehearted devotion to God is replaced by a growing love for foreign wives of which he will eventually take more than a thousand. At first, Solomon only tolerates the presence of pagan deities; later he accepts them; finally he worships them, while the one true God is forsaken and forgotten. But while Solomon ignores God, God is still very much interested in Solomon. He reminds the wayward king of his covenant with David, and declares that because of Solomon's idolatry the kingdom will be torn apart, leaving only two tribes for his son.

Application

Fellowship with God is a lot like electricity. It is a moment-by-moment phenomenon. And when you are enjoying it, you and others around you will know it!

Fellowship depends on constant contact with the Source of power. If something interrupts the connection, the flow of power ceases because the power is not in the receptor but in the Source. Spirituality, the severing of fellowship might not be immediately obvious to others, but the vitality soon wanes because the power flow his stopped. That is why Scripture warns, "So be careful. If you are thinking, 'Oh, I would never behave like that'—let this be a warning to you. For you too may fall into sin" (1 Corinthians 10:12).

Check up on your own personal fellowship with God. Are you giving God a chance to speak to you daily through his Word? Are you regularly responding to him in prayer? Are you dealing promptly with sin in your life? Are you filling your thought life with meditation upon his actions and attributes?

Prayer

Lord our God, shake us when temptations are about to take us from your presence. Yes, we know it can happen to the most devoted among us so remind us to pray and resist sin in our life and you will be with us. Thank you Lord for your renewed grace and mercy each new day! In Jesus name, amen!

Stay in Fellowship with God!

© Odessa Mathis about my Father's business! 2019

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