Saturday, 6 August 2016
Topic: When To Say No
Bible Text: 1 Kings 11:1-13
Key Verse: “For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father” (1 Kings 11:4).
Knowing when to say ‘no’, especially to loved ones, is an art which great leaders all through the ages have cultivated. Sometimes, they may keep silent or look for ways to avoid the question. Or like Nelson Mandela, they may say: “Let me think about it.” But as Mandela’s biographer noted, “in the end, he will not tell you what you want to hear just because you want to hear it.”
King Solomon, the wisest man that ever lived, was not that smart. His descent into evil began in a casual way: he loved many women who were strangers to his God. Soon he married them, but at first resisted their idol worship. Then he began tolerating it, until it became so overwhelming around him that he got involved in it himself. He no longer saw anything bad in it nor remembered the clear command of God against idol worship. From then on, his heart became imperfect before God, as he engaged in more evil activities in the sight of the Lord. Solomon obtained promises from God, received answers to his prayers, and was guided by God for the most part. But his idolatrous practices spelt doom for his throne. His kingdom came to an ignominious end. He had become so corrupted that he had no interest in God any more.
We must understand that God knows our strengths and weaknesses. It is usually through our weaknesses that temptations come. God’s commands, therefore, are meant to protect us from yielding to base instincts. We must protect ourselves too by following and applying thenWord in our lives always. We must never forget that it is good to start well with God, but it is best to allow Him lead us from start to finish.
Thought for the day: The path that leads away from God begins with a little compromise.
Bible Reading in one Year: Nehemiah 8-10