Solomon

April 14th – Proverbs 19:2

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Proverbs 19:2

Missionary Jim Elliot once said, “God always gives His best to those who leave the choice with Him.” Even the best of us fall victim to making choices in haste and without first seeking God. And more times than not, these choices lead to mistakes which in turn lead to unpleasant consequences. That’s why Solomon warns that having strong desires or ambitions without having knowledge or understanding isn’t a good thing. This means that it’s not enough to just  want something. We also need the know how and understanding necessary to make good and wise decisions that line up with the will of God. Because rushing or acting too quickly can lead to mistakes and missed opportunities. So to stay on the right path, and avoid the mistakes of life, we need to check everything with God first. Through prayer, reading His Word, and following the prompting of the Holy Spirt, we can rest assured we are making the right choices.

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April 11th – Ecclesiastes 1:9

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Ecclesiastes 1:9

Solomon was the greatest and richest king of all time. He had the world at his feet. Yet he still grew bored with the humdrum of life. He found nothing new to see, to do, or worthwhile at all. But Solomon’s lack of luster for life came as a result of his lack of luster for God. Because Instead of turning to the Lord to heal the emptiness in his heart, he tried to fill it with the trappings of the world. But far from making him happy Solomon found the more of the world he had, the emptier he felt. We were created for fellowship with the Lord. And nothing this world offers can ever can fill the place reserved for God alone. So if we aren’t walking with Him, life can become a boring cycle of wash, rinse, and repeat. Like Solomon we’ll find ourselves in the doldrums; stagnant and depressed, just going through the motions. But God never intends our life with Him to be a dull one. And if we let Him, God will do wonderful, exciting, and meaningful things through us and for us.

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August 6th – 2 Chronicles 10:14

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2 Chronicles 10:14 

After the death of Solomon, his son Rehoboam traveled to Shechem to meet with Israel and be crowned king. The people took the change of power as an opportunity to plead for kindness and mercy from their new ruler. In return for lower work loads and taxes, they would give to Rehoboam their loyalty and servitude. But the king, after listening to bad advice, sent back an answer not of grace and mercy, but of threats and violence. And the result? The people killed the new taskmaster. A rebellion arose, the kingdom of Israel was split in two, and Rehoboam fled for his life. Our decisions and actions can have long lasting and tragic consequences. Had Rehoboam chosen kindness, not only would he have glorified God, but brought peace throughout the land.

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August 3rd – Proverbs 11:17

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Proverbs 11:17

I love the quote, “Niceness is overrated. Be kind.” Have you ever thought about the difference between the two? A nice person asks are you hungry? But a kind person will bring you food without needing to be asked. Because at the root of kindness is a heart of Christ. One that wants the best for another. While being nice stems from a fleshly heart yearning to be liked. And sadly, often times Christians are nice, not kind. Because being kind costs us. It means going out of our way, setting ourself aside, to do something for someone else. Throughout the Bible we see how God both delights in and rewards sacrificial giving. And as Solomon tells us, the kind person benefits themselves. Because we reap what we sow. And by sowing the seeds of kindness, not only are we storing up treasures for ourselves in heaven, but guaranteeing a bountiful crop that blesses others.

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May 26th – 2 Corinthians 10:4

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2 Corinthians 10:4

The Bible describes a stronghold as a belief which is strongly defended or upheld. They are formed from the lies and deception of the Enemy. And one such stronghold is self importance. Everybody wants to be seen, known, and loved. And we live in a world that values self importance. But as Solomon so famously cautioned, pride goes before a fall. Look at Satan. Because he wanted to be like God he rebelled against his Creator. And it was ego that he used to cause Adam and Eve to fall, tempting them with the thought of being more like God. Throughout the Bible, we are warned against the love of self. For God is the only One who deserves our worship. And if we let Him, through His power we can break down all wrong thinking and sinful barriers.

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April 8th – Proverbs 17:17

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Proverbs 17:17

“What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear! What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer.” This hymn by Joseph M. Scriven, is one of my absolute favorites. And it’s perfect when celebrating the great gift of salvation we receive from accepting Jesus Christ as our Lord, Savior, and Friend. In Proverbs 17:17 Solomon says, “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born at a difficult times.” Who doesn’t want a friend like that; one who loves you at all times? Not just through the good ones, but especially through the bad. Jesus is that friend. He accepts, shelters, loves, and died for us. Fully knowing the betrayal, brutality, and rejection He would face, Jesus willingly left His glorious throne in heaven. He came to ransom His life to bring us forgiveness and reconciliation with the Father. What a friend we have in Jesus indeed!

 

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The Humdrum Of Life – Ecclesiastes 1

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Ecclesiastes 1

Imagine being the greatest and richest king of all time. Everything you wanted to see, do, or own was yours for the taking. This was the life of Solomon. He had the world at his feet. He experienced everything life had to offer and denied himself nothing, “All that my eyes desired I did not refuse them. I did not withhold my heart from any pleasure” (vs. 2:10)

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September 30th – Proverbs 6:8

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Proverbs 6:8

As believers, we know not to be anxious about the future. But God also warns us against being foolish and lazy. Throughout the book of Proverbs, we are told the value of hard work. Because hard work can often be the difference between success and failure. Look at the ants. Without needing to be told what to do, or having to be supervised, they get busy at the work at hand. They are called wise because they plan ahead. The ants work diligently in the summer, gathering their winter supply in the harvest. This toil protects themselves and their families from starvation during hard times. Solomon tells us, a wise man understands the value of hard work, for “In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to poverty.” (Prov. 14:23) There is no more rewarding work than the work we do for God. Because not only are ensuring blessings for today, but storing up wonderful riches in the bank of heaven!

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September 6th – Ecclesiastes 2:24

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Ecclesiastes 2:24

Happy Labor Day. The official end to summer, and a day set apart to honor the toil and contribution of workers everywhere. And as we celebrate, part of that celebration should be thanksgiving to God for the work He gives us. Although work may not seem like a blessing, the happiness we get from a finished job or the satisfaction of a job well done comes from our Father in heaven. For every enjoyment in life we receive is from the hand of God. Even the simple things in life like eating and drinking are gifts we enjoy through the blessings of the Lord. And that includes working. That’s why Solomon tells us to be grateful for the labor God gives us to do. For all good things come from Him, and apart from God, no true and lasting enjoyment can be found. So as we enjoy resting on this holiday, thank God for the privilege of working. And one day we will reap our reward hearing our Father say, “Well done My good and faithful servant! “

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August 9th – Proverbs 12:25

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Proverbs 12:25

Someone once said, “Words are containers for power, you choose what kind of power they carry.” And boy isn’t that the truth! Studies show that it takes seven positive comments to make up for just one negative one. That’s the weight words can hold. They have the ability to bring about good or evil, hurting or healing, comfort or pain, uplifting or tearing down. And living in a world with more than enough critics and naysayers, a “good word” can be hard to find. Yet as Christians we are called to be deliverers of nothing but good words. To, “encourage one another day after day”. (Heb. 3:13) For as Proverbs 15:4 tells us, “The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life.” And the “good word” we should be sharing is the Word of God. For in those times when we need words of comfort, there are none that can permeate the pain and bring us peace and joy like ones found in the Bible.

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