PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: 1 Kings 9-10
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“Solomon’s horses were imported from Egypt.” (1 Kings 10:28)
God promises to bless Solomon if he is faithful, and Solomon prospers.
He accumulates great riches, many wives and horses from Egypt.
But the devil is in the details; the authors are warning us here.
“The king must not acquire great numbers of horses for himself or make the people return to Egypt to get more… He must not take many wives, or his heart will be led astray. He must not accumulate large amounts of silver and gold.” (Deuteronomy 17:16-17)
Apparently success can go to our heads and we lose our way.
Money, sex and power; Satan uses all of these to mess people up.
Many successful political, social and religious leaders are ruined by them.
Jesus is reminding me to not be fooled or distracted by ‘success’.
Big budgets, big buildings or people’s praise are not success.
Success is being like Jesus: humble, compassionate, generous, fair, kind.
Success is staying focused on his mission, eve when it is hard!
Where am I being subtly distracted or derailed by money, sex or power?
PRAYER
Lord, help me not just see this problem in others, show me where I am being deceived without even realizing it.
On the earthly standards, Solomon has made it. The Queen of Sheba gives praise where the real praise is due: “Praise be to the Lord your God, who has delighted in you and placed you on the throne of Israel. Because of the Lord’s eternal love for Israel, he has made you king to maintain justice and righteousness.” She puts the credit in the right place. Yet all the wealth as God had promised to Solomon will not bring lasting peace – material wealth is a distraction – and Solomon had lots of it. Will it keep him on the right track? Will I stay true to keep the Kingdom first – or am I also compromised by my things?
Walking faithfully in His presence with integrity of heart and righteousness is the way to walk in the Lord. The blessings received are for His purposes to be shared. The greater the weath the greater the challenges to bless others and share what the Lord has done inour lives. It is not what our hands have done but what the Lord has done through us serving Him sharing His goodness. That is our ministry. That needs to be my daily focus – being an instrument of His peace.
Make Me A Servant, Humble And Meek.
Lord, Let Me Lift Up Those Who Are Weak,
And May The Prayer Of My Heart Always Be:
Make Me A Servant, Make Me A Servant,
Make Me A Servant Today!