Foursquare Gospel Church in Nigeria Grace for Living Devotional Friday August 4, 2023 TOPIC: SOLOMON TURNS FROM GOD

 Foursquare Gospel Church in Nigeria 

Grace for Living Devotional 

Friday August 4, 2023

TOPIC: SOLOMON TURNS FROM GOD

BIBLE READING:

1 KINGS 11:1-11

1 But king Solomon loved many strange women, together with the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Zidonians, and Hittites: 2 Of the nations concerning which the Lord said unto the children of Israel, Ye shall not go in to them, neither shall they come in unto you: for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods: Solomon clave unto these in love. 3 And he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines: and his wives turned away his heart. 4 For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the Lord his God, as was the heart of David his father. 5 For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites. 6 And Solomon did evil in the sight of the Lord, and went not fully after the Lord, as did David his father. 7 Then did Solomon build an high place for Chemosh, the abomination of Moab, in the hill that is before Jerusalem, and for Molech, the abomination of the children of Ammon. 8 And likewise did he for all his strange wives, which burnt incense and sacrificed unto their gods. 9 And the Lord was angry with Solomon, because his heart was turned from the Lord God of Israel, which had appeared unto him twice, 10 And had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not go after other gods: but he kept not that which the Lord commanded. 11 Wherefore the Lord said unto Solomon, Forasmuch as this is done of thee, and thou hast not kept my covenant and my statutes, which I have commanded thee, I will surely rend the kingdom from thee, and will give it to thy servant.  

KEY VERSE:

“For it came to pass when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods.” 1 Kings 11:4  

MEDITATION:

The story in today's bible reading is very disheartening, as it pathetic. It is obvious that King Solomon had stepped onto 'banana peels' that spiraled him out of God's presence.  

King Solomon married from Nations God specifically warned the Jews not to marry. So he deliberately disobeyed God. Believers should not live in disobedience because of the dire consequences. King Solomon became an idol worshipper like his wives. Single believers will be wise never to contemplate marrying non-believers in Christ because it has grave consequences.  

King Solomon used the wealth God gave him to build shrines for God's eternal enemy, the devil. So, he effectively became an idol worshipper. You may not have an image, or fixed human effigy anywhere, but anything that contends with God's space or love in your heart is an idol - social media, sports, movies, and any possession you hold so dear.  

King Solomon became so reckless that he lost every sense of (moral) self-control. His 300 wives and 700 concubines was a breeding ground for loss of control of his house-hold to hatred, quarrelling, in-fighting, sibling and wives rivalry. And as old age set in and with wholesale idolatry and immorality which all led to cold-heart towards God, it was only a matter of time for King Solomon to completely turn away from God. What a tragedy for the wisest man on earth!  

What “banana peels” are you gradually treading on?  

PRAYER:

Oh God, help me to guard my heart with all diligence daily.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:

JOB 34-36, ACTS 27:13-44