“For it was so, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned his heart after other gods; and his heart was not loyal to the Lord his God, as was the heart of his father David. For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites. Solomon did evil in the sight of the Lord, and did not fully follow the Lord, as did his father David.”
I Kings 11:4-6 NKJV
I knew this was coming. I’ve dreaded it for days and is often the first thing I remember about Solomon- that his heart was turned away.
I’ve often wondered what it was that turned him. The verses above say that his wives turned his heart – did he love them that much? Did they break through his exterior by nagging? Did he follow after Ashtoreth and Milcom to bring peace to his home – or did he really look to them? And why – after G-d appeared to him twice – would he even consider a substitute?
Thereby but by the grace of G-d go we. I was asked recently if I believed in “once saved always saved” and honestly – I don’t know. I think I do but I’m not sure why. It’s a question I’ve been wrestling with for a few weeks, and I think it’s too simplistic a statement that gives false security to many that sit in churches beside us.
I do believe if we are true followers of and believers in Jesus, we won’t fall away. Yet Solomon did, David did, Aaron did Peter did. Many great men of the Bible encountered the living G-d yet fell into sin. I guess that’s why the Proverbs says though the righteous fall seven times, he gets back up (24:16).
I’ve come to realize I am one decision away from following another god. Each day, each moment I have to be intentional and choose to follow the One True G-d. Each word submitted, each thought checked. Guarding my heart and mind by selecting what goes into it through my ear and eye gates and feeding my spirit with worship, the Word, and His presence.
I’ve also come to realize the company we keep matters. I have to wonder how Solomon’s story would have ended if he didn’t love so many women – specifically women that followed other gods. If he had someone beside him that followed G-d too, would it have made a difference? I hypothesize yes. I know in my own life, the company around me has a huge impact on me – what I hear and what I see. Are the people in my community drawing me towards Him – helping me to see another part of His character through their lens – or are they feeding doubt and unbelief. One person in particular who I am close with is a constant source of inspiration. At almost 84, I see him pressing into G-d, still learning, still listening, still growing, still being transformed and I am inspired to lean into G-d further. His life and how he lives it draws me to the Father. He hasn’t slowed down or retired. He’s pressing in.
A choice lies before you and before me today. Everything is either for Him or it’s for the enemy. There is no in between. In this moment, who will I choose to follow? I want to be found faithful to the very end.
Father – thank You for Your truth and the company you’ve given me. Thank You for Vance seeing in me what I could not in 1999. Thank You for giving him vision. Draw my heart closer to You. Draw Vance, Randal, and Alathia closer. Let Your will be done in and through my life and through theirs. You are good and You keep doing good. Your leadership in my life is perfect and You can be trusted. Amen.
Daily Reading: 1 Kings 10-11, 2 Chronicles 9
June 21, 2022