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Respite For the Weary
The three previous ABC posts are entitled: Totally Trust the Truth, Understand His Unfailing Love, and Victory belongs to His Valiant Warriors. Today is: Walk Wisely, Worship Well.
Walk Wisely, Worship Well? Synopsis of I Kings 3:5-15, 10:23-29, 11:1-7, 11.
After the death of King David, his son Solomon reigned over Israel. David had emphatically charged his son to seek the Lord and follow Him with his whole heart. Solomon did intend to reign with the Lord's wisdom. In fact, instead of asking for more riches and honor, Solomon asked the Lord for an understanding heart to judge the people and discern between good and evil. God blessed this selfless request, and from this heart of wisdom Solomon wrote many of the Proverbs. He also built God's magnificent temple in Jerusalem. If only King Solomon could have walked as wisely as his Proverbs taught and worshipped well in the temple he built. Sadly, Solomon strayed when he married numerous foreign wives who pulled his heart away from the one true God.The end of Solomon's reign was nothing like the beginning; because of his waywardness, the kingdom of Israel was ripped apart.
Walk Wisely, Worship Well! Synopsis of John 1:19-27, 3:22-26, Matt. 14:1-12.
Hundreds of years later, a man named John entered Israel's scene. He was appointed from birth for one purpose: his sole ambition was to point people toward the Messiah, Son of the living God. When the people of Jerusalem asked him who he was, he answered, "I am the voice of the one calling in the desert, 'Make straight the way for the Lord.'" All the days of his abbreviated life, John proclaimed Jesus as the One who came to take away the sins of the world. John the Baptist walked wisely and worshipped well. Although John was beheaded for his strong faith in Christ, his divine message of repentance still lives today.
When looking at these two men and their life path, here are a few questions:
Is there something or someone in my life that might be pulling me away from walking wisely and worshipping well?
Is God's word directing my steps?
When I ask for wisdom, do I genuinely accept it by obeying the voice of the Lord?
Solomon: a rich ruler like the world had never known. John: a lowly man who wore camel skins and ate locust and honey. What a contrast. Although their physical circumstances were different, both men's heart conditions started out the same. Solomon and John were fully committed to the Lord. However, Solomon gradually strayed while John remained steadfast.
The world's path and the Lord's path are quite different. We get to choose our path. If you want to walk with the Lord, ask Him to help you take note of any subtle pull that's misleading you He knows we are prone to wander and he will be there ready to offer you his helping hand. Although John did not gain the riches and honor this world has to offer, he did gain these words from Jesus the God-man, "I say to you, among those born of women, there is no one greater than John." (Luke 7:28) And also, after John's last breath on earth he gained all the riches of eternal life. On the other hand, at Solomon's end, he was left wanting.
Let's challenge ourselves every morning to live for the One who created us and loves us. Let's walk wisely and worship well. For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul? Mark 8:36
Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved--and that by God. Philippians 1:27-28
Dear Lord,
We thank you that whatever happens on this earth, good or evil, all believers in Christ have eternal salvation with you. Help us to stand firm "as one man" believing in this promise. You are the Victor over life, over death, over all. Amen.