2 Chronicles 8:11–10:19
Solomon religiously built a house for the daughter of Pharaoh and offered sacrifices galore, but underneath it all, his heart was turning away from the LORD. The foreign women who worshipped other gods, captured his heart. We read in:
1 Kings 11:3 (NKJV) “And he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines; and his wives turned away his heart.”
When the Queen of Sheba came to visit Solomon, the wisdom God had granted him completely overwhelmed her, “there was no more spirit in her.” (2 Chronicles 9:4b).
2 Chronicles 9:5–6 (NKJV) “Then she said to the king: ‘It was a true report which I heard in my own land about your words and your wisdom. 6 However I did not believe their words until I came and saw with my own eyes; and indeed the half of the greatness of your wisdom was not told me. You exceed the fame of which I heard.’”
If we were to compare Solomon to most of the politicians and world leaders today, he surpasses them hands down. Solomon was brilliant and organized, the kingdom flourished under his reign, economically, and there was peace. But, if we compare Solomon to his father David, he fails miserably. Solomon did not obey the Word of God as clearly articulated in:
Deuteronomy 17:16-17 (NKJV) “But he shall not multiply horses for himself, nor cause the people to return to Egypt to multiply horses, for the LORD has said to you, ‘You shall not return that way again.’ ‘Neither shall he multiply wives for himself, lest his heart turn away; nor shall he greatly multiply silver and gold for himself.’”
Solomon clearly disobeyed God’s Word. So although his head was filled with intellectual and political wisdom, his heart was stripped of that which is more important, Godly wisdom. He multiplied wives from foreign nations as alliances, he multiplied horses and chariots, imported from Egypt, and he greatly multiplied gold and silver. He fell into the ways of the world and he fell away from a right relationship with God. 1 Kings 11 records this time in Solomon’s life. It was then that God raised up adversaries to Solomon, including a young man named Jeroboam, whom Ahijah prophesied over, that one day he would rule 10 tribes of Israel (1 Kings 11:29-31; 2 Chronicles 10:15).
Solomon started well, but he did not finish well. His son Rehoboam did not listen to the wise counsel of his elders, to lighten the load, to be a kind king, and speak softly. Instead, he listened to the advice of other young spoiled brats his age…and he lost 80% of the kingdom. Rehoboam was the king technically responsible for the division of Israel, but ultimately, it was Solomon who undid what his father David had done.
It all goes back to that saying, that, “The heart of the matter, is the matter of the heart.”
Romans 8:9-25
Considering the context, we look back to Romans 7 where Paul was crying out – “How can I win this war against the flesh?”
Jesus is the answer, who baptizes us with the Holy Spirit (Mark 1:8). As Christians the Holy Spirit now lives in us, and can be upon us, to empower us. We can now, by the Spirit, put to death the deeds of the flesh. We can now be led by the Spirit. We are now children of God – twice over, because not only have we been born into the family (John 3:3) we’ve been adopted into God’s family and can refer to God as “Daddy,” or “Papa,” that’s how much He loves us!
We now have an inner witness within us, the Spirit bears witness that we are children of God. If we’re children of God that means we’re joint-heirs with Christ – IF we’re willing to suffer with Him, this proves we’re Christians.
We will one day be glorified with Him. This glory is so amazing that Paul writes in:
Romans 8:18 (NKJV) “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”
This isn’t downplaying the suffering we see on earth – it’s horrible what takes place. What Paul simply says magnifies the glory of heaven one day. I believe Paul is writing this to Christians who are suffering, he’s encouraging them not to lose heart. Don’t give up. Don’t walk away from God even though the pain is excruciating. One day we’ll be home in heaven where there will be no more pain (Revelation 21:4).
As a matter of fact, all creation will be redeemed. All creation waits and groans for that day. Believers will receive new bodies that can live in God’s presence, and creation will be restored from it’s fallen state.
Psalm 18:16-36
David was hated and hunted by Saul for close to 10 years. King Saul maliciously spread lies and slander about David, turning many people against him. I can’t even begin to imagine how horrible it was for David on the run (though innocent) living in caves for close to a decade, not to mention the intensity of the Spiritual warfare he must have experienced.
This Psalm teaches me that there will be those who hate me, that the enemy is too strong for me (Psalm 18:17), but God will deliver me. That doesn’t mean that I won’t be required to fight. God will arm me and teach me to fight spiritually just as He did David (Psalm 18:29, 32-34; 2 Corinthians 10:4). But we fight from victory not for victory. The war is already won…but there are battles ahead.
Don’t lose heart my friend, even though you’re going through very trying times.
If you look up, you’ll be able to rise up and fight, with those Spiritual weapons God has given you. The Lord will also give you the victory and fulfill His plans for your life…just as He did with David.
Proverbs 19:26
We are to honor our father and mother.
When we’re young and live under their roof, we are to honor them and obey them from the heart. (unless they command us to sin)
When we’re older and move out, or get married, we start a new life or a family, but we are still to honor them; don’t mistreat them, don’t chase them away or cut them off. It’s an embarrassment, and public disgrace.
In some families there are rifts for good reasons, but we must do our best to work it out – IF at all possible (Romans 12:18).
If you have any questions or comments on today’s reading, or you’d like to share something the Lord showed you, feel free to leave a reply below. I’d love to hear from you as we grow forward in 2021.