Growing old disgracefully

“As Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods, and his heart was not fully devoted to the Lord his God, as the heart of David his father had been.” 1 Kings 11:4.

Verse chosen from today’s Bible reading; 1 Kings 10-11, 2 Chronicles 9, and Romans 6.

A short take on Solomon dwells on his God-given wisdom and wealth.

A full reading of his life cannot avoid taking on his later years.

God made it clear to the Israelites, as they were about to go into the Promised Land, that intermarrying with those already there was a bad idea.  Why?  Because their ways would become the ways of the Israelites.

How easily we fall into thinking that the weaknesses of others aren’t ours.  They may struggle with this or that but we’re different.  And how does that usually work out?

Solomon knew but went ahead anyhow.

I like the inclusion of age in today’s verse.  Solomon’s disconnect from doing God’s will happened when he was older.  I need to remember that as long as I’m breathing, I must seek to do His bidding. Age must never be an excuse for being ungodly. There can never be a point in which my whims become the counterfeit gods I follow.

“Lord, thank You for Your Word.  I need You always.  You are the God for all seasons of my life.  Forgive me for ignoring You.  Prick my conscience so that I please You.  I love You, Father.  Glory to You.  Praise always to You.  Hallelujah, what a Savior!”

How are you aging?  We must be Godly to the end.

Unwise in his old age

“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.’” 1 Kings 11:2.

“As Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods, and his heart was not fully devoted to the Lord his God.”  1 Kings 11:4.

Verses chosen from today’s Bible reading: 1 Kings 10-11, 2 Chronicles 9, and Romans 6.

The first word I associate with Solomon is “wise.”

No question, Solomon was very wise.  Why was he so wise?  Solomon was allowed, by God, to ask what he wanted.  Solomon asked for discernment in his choices and the ability to know right from wrong.

When the Queen of Sheba visited Solomon, it says in 1 Kings 10 that she was “overwhelmed,” but what she heard and saw.

But now in today’s verses we have an older Solomon.  It is sad to read what has happened to him.  He has turned into one of us!

What causes Solomon’s downfall?  Disobedience.  God told him, and all the Israelites, not to intermarry and they do anyhow.

How could they be so foolish?  Inside each of us is a voice urging us to disobey God.  In the heart of the godless, that voice is the voice they respond to often.  In the heart of the Godly, it is a voice recognized for what it is…….Satan.

However, even the Godly have weaknesses.  No way are those weaknesses the same for all of us.

I find the voice of Satan to be softly persuasive.  There’s no yelling and screaming.

The common words I hear from Satan are: “Don’t worry about doing this, you’re strong.”  Solomon bought into that treacherous road.  He probably thought that because of his wisdom he wouldn’t be negatively impacted by all the godless wives he had.  But it didn’t work out that way and Solomon fell out of favor with God.

I cannot assume that I am wise.  I am not wise apart from God.  I need to remember that only as I am connected to Him am I able to please Him.  I will never please Him flying solo.

I need to confront the voice of Satan with James 4:7: “Submit yourselves, then to God.  Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

“Lord, thank You for Your Word.  Thank You for the many role models Your Word contains.  Solomon is a good example of a positive role model and a negative role model.  I want to please You forever.  Prick my conscience when I am loose from You.  That is not where I ever want to be!  I need You every second.  Take me over right now, I beg.”

I want to be wise in my old age.