June 14, 2009
How the mighty have fallen
In my studies I’m reading through 1 & 2 Chronicles. I mainly am reading these because I wanted to read Ezra and the into to Ezra said that all 3 books were sort of together so far be it from me to break them up 
Anyway, I was reading about how much Solomon was blessed. How kings and queens would come visit Solomon and marvel at how much his God had blessed him. It seemed evident that they would recognize that the God of the Israelites was responsible for the blessing and mighty work in Solomon but I didn’t see anywhere that caused them to turn to him which was a bit odd.
Furthermore we know that toward the end of Solomon’s life he turned away from God, this is the God that sent fire from heaven in front of Solomon to light the temple sacrifice when it was dedicated, the God that literally appeared to Solomon and made a promise that no matter what God is withholding anywhere in the world his ears will always be open to prayers made from the temple.
I started to think, how in the heck could this mighty man of God turn away, someone who has seen God bring fire from heaven, who has seen Him appear before him…how could he be SO stupid to turn away when he knows the truth.
This wondering lead me to Deuteronomy chapter 17. It gives the king of Israel instructions, most of which Solomon disobeyed, but at the end it says that the king should in effect write these instructions out and daily read them all the days of his life. I think this is to keep him humble, to keep in the fore-front of his mind who he is, and who his God is. Without this I fear he would think too much of himself…which is what seemed to happen in the end.
In a lot of ways, I think we are like Solomon, at least I know I am. I have seen God work, I have seen Him change things that I thought would never be changed, I have heard Him speak to my heart many times, yet I sometimes become complacent. Why? I would say it’s because in those times I start to fall away it’s because I am not in the word daily, I’m not humbling myself to who I am and who He is! Maybe it is pride, maybe it is jealousy, maybe it is a number of other footholds that the devil is using to hide the fact that I am insignificant without Jesus, but whatever it is, the bottom line is that I’m not letting Christ be in charge of my life, actions, and thoughts!
Be encouraged today to not forget who you are! You may be great in this world, but as we know that isn’t going to matter much, but who are you before Christ? Who are you when the temporary things are burned away, what is left? Humble yourself today and recognize how BIG of a God we server and put a knee before the cross and have time with your savior! Do it daily, so many times Christ warns us of the need for a daily walk with Him, be encouraged to daily seek Christ! “Make Every Effort”…”pick up your cross daily”!
(JP)