When The Door Slams
King Solomon, however, loved many foreign women besides Pharaoh's daughter-Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Sidonians and Hittites. They were from nations about which the LORD had told the Israelites, "You must not intermarry with them, because they will surely turn your hearts after their gods." Nevertheless, Solomon held fast to them in love. 1 Kings 11:1-2 NIV
After King Solomon's wealth and wisdom are presented in striking detail, the author of 1 Kings offers a sobering note that all is not well in the king's heart: he had married many foreign women who turned him away from the LORD. It's likely that Solomon didn't think a few foreign wives could be that much of a threat to his devotion to God. After all, he lived in the epicenter of worship for Yahweh. What harm could a few foreign alliances through marriage do to his heart?
Sure enough, his heart gradually drifted further from God, and he became more tolerant of foreign gods. As he added new wives and allegiances with neighboring kingdoms, Solomon lost sight of Yahweh as he filled his time joining his wives in their idol worship. Even the wisest king was no match for the slow creep of compromise in his devotion to the true God.
As you examine your heart today, ask yourself whether there are places or issues where you are compromising-even if it is just a little. Sin's most powerful trick is convincing us that it's not a big deal and that we can handle ourselves. This is a slow drift away from God, and we will spare ourselves and our families pain if we recognize it sooner than later.
Think about this: The LORD has a plan for our world and for our lives. God does not do things by accident; He has a perfect plan for His creation, a plan that includes each of us. But because we are mortal beings with limited understanding, we can never fully comprehend the will of God. No matter. As believers in a benevolent heavenly Father, we must always trust the will of God, even though we cannot fully understand it.
As this day unfolds, seek God's will and obey His Word. When you entrust your life to Him completely, He will give you strength to meet any challenge, courage to face any trial, and the wisdom to live in His righteousness and in His peace .
Trust in the Lord with all your heart And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes, But fear the Lord and depart from evil (Proverbs 3:5-7).
Ask the Holy Spirit to search your heart and reveal any areas of unconfessed sin. Acknowledge these to the Lord and thank Him for His forgiveness.
Never Rest Ministries
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