When Happiness Goes Too Far.

Scripture: Happy are your wives! Happy are these your servants, who continually stand before you and hear your wisdom! 2 Chronicles 9:7

Observation: While the beginning of Solomon’s rule was marked by widespread prosperity and protection for the people, the last days saw the focus shift. When the Queen of Sheba visits Solomon, she is amazed by the luxury and wealth he has amassed. The throne of wisdom has become a gaudy, glitzy thing. The court of Solomon is a happy place, because luxury rules. It seems that success + drifting from God = decadence. The ultimate cost of this is a divided kingdom.
We have been talking in our Small Group about money, and the proper use of it. We learned that the love of money is the root of all kinds of problems. You can see that here. Solomon had too much success, and failed to temper it with the wisdom God gave him. The wisdom that starts with a healthy fear of God.

Application: As God brings success into my life, I must remain moored to Him. I need to remember to “dance with the one who brung ya.” I need to remember what got me here, and who got me here. Staying grounded in the word is key for me. With increased responsibility comes the increased pressure to squeeze out this time with God, to fill it with more productive things. But that is how it starts. I need this summer to make sure I stay close to God in his word.

Prayer: God, grant me success, that I might serve you and your people better. But don’t let me get caught up in the glamour and trappings of success. Don’t let it go to my head. I trust you to be my priority.

To see my kids eating and drinking and being happy...

Scripture: Judah and Israel were as many as the sand by the sea. They ate and drank and were happy. 1 Kings 4:20

Observation: Under Solomon's leadership, the people were happy. They grew. They were able to tackle immense projects for the glory of God, like the building of the temple. They had safety from their enemies and prosperity. Nations from all around heard of their growing reputation and came to seek the wisdom of Solomon. Why was God's hand on them in such a powerful way?
A clue is found in something Solomon himself once observed. When the righteous increase, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, the people groan. Proverbs 29:2. The way Solomon lived his life impacted the way he led, which impacted the way the people lived. Another clue is found in the psalm of Solomon's father, David. In psalm 101, David outlines the kind of man and ruler he intends to be. I will ponder the way that is blameless...I will walk with integrity of heart within my house. (v.2). I believe it is clear that the blessings Judah and Israel experienced were related to Solomon's walking in wisdom and integrity. Later, we see the flip side of this, but for now, everyone is eating and drinking and happy.

Application: As a father, my "kingdom" is subject to these same things. As I go, my family will go. How I conduct my life and character and walk affects my family. I need to heed Psalm 101 as an aspiration for fatherhood. I think I will memorize that over the next few weeks, and aspire to a higher level of integrity in my parenting.

Prayer: God, I know my life is not a guarantee for my kids. But the odds are much better if I walk with you. Help me to me a father of integrity. Help me lead myself that I might lead others.

Get off your Bed and Make a Decision!

Scripture: And now, behold, Adonijah is king, although you, my lord the king, do not know it. 1 Kings 1:18

Observation: David is advancing, and it is time for him to choose a successor. His oldest living son, Adonijah, plans to take the throne, even though God had identified Solomon as David’s successor. David learns of this news on his sickbed, when his wife comes to tell him that Adonijah is acting like the next king. David has to act quickly to install Solomon, lest rebellion and division arise.

Adonijah was right—the oldest living son is supposed to take the throne from his father. This was the world’s custom. However, God had already picked Solomon. So contrary to public opinion of “the way things are done around here,” Solomon was the right choice for David.

Application: As a leader, one burden we must carry is the burden of leading where God is going, even when it may not be popular or even customary. There are many things I face in the church, for example, where I have to act on what God has shared with me or our leadership, things that may not make sense according to the customs of the day. Now, I need to make sure we are hearing from God, and we are communicating that to people. But in the end, sometimes we just have to install Solomon on the throne and let the chips fall.

What I realize today is that by not dealing with problems, I can let bitterness and rebellion grow. There comes a time when David has to get off his bed and make a decision, for the sake of the kingdom.

Prayer: God, I need your guidance in when and how to deal with people. When do I need to get off my sickbed and deal with a potential problem before it blooms into a big one? I pray today for wisdom in hearing from you and identifying the time to act. I also ask for grace and truth when the time comes.

God Brings Mighty Men

Scripture: David went out to meet them and said to them, “If you have come to me in friendship to help me, my heart will be joined to you; but if to betray me to my adversaries, although there is no wrong in my hands, then may the God of our fathers see and rebuke you.”
1 Chronicles 12:17

Observation: A group of men approach David, asking to join him. Having known betrayal and lack of support, David asks if these men have come to him in shalom, peace and support. If this is the case, then he will unite his heart to them. If they have come to be his loyal friends, he will give them his heart. Later, the text tells us that day to day men came to David to help him, until there was a great army, like an army of God. This verse tells us that these men were not coming on their own, but were coming to him from God. God was the one bringing these mighty men. God was the one building David’s army. God was the one finding friends for David.

Application: Two things. One, God has brought men in my life to be my shalom, my peace and support. I need to learn how to unite my heart to them, to give them my heart and join them. Two, I need to recognize that I am not alone in my battles, that God wants to support me, and support me by bringing mighty men around me. So I need to pray for and look for them, and then be ready to receive them with an open heart.

Prayer: God, I ask you to bring me mighty men. Maybe you have already, and I need to flip the switch and give them my heart. Maybe you still have some to bring, and I ask you to bring them and give me mighty men in friendship. Help me to enjoy your favor through friendships.

Who Are You Listening To?

Scripture: And the men of David said to him, "Here is the day of which the LORD said to you, 'Behold, I will give your enemy into your hand, and you shall do to him as it shall seem good to you.'" Then David arose and stealthily cut off a corner of Saul's robe. 1 Samuel 24:4

Observation: David and his men find themselves with what appears to be a divine opportunity. Saul, who had been pursuing David to kill him, steps into a cave where David and his men are hiding. While Saul is occupied, David's men seize this moment as God given and call David to take advantage of it by killing Saul. They use divine language, and speak as if they are speaking for God. David does not kill Saul, but is moved along by his men to go and cut a piece of Saul's robe, symbolizing that he could have killed Saul if he wanted.
God had not told David he could kill Saul. Yet David's men misread the situation and gave David spiritual sounding, but wrong advice.

Application: I need to be careful when I listen to others tell me what God says. Good hearted people, loyal to my best interests, can misread the signs and circumstances. When they come to me and say, "I think God wants you to do this or that," I need to test it out before acting on it. I need to be able to have my own direction from God and his word.

Prayer: As I head into a week of strategic discussions with our pastoral team, I pray we would be guided by you, Lord, and you would help shield us from misreading the signs and circumstances. Help us really hear from you, and avoid acting on what you have not said.

When That Armor Just Doesn't Fit

Scripture: David strapped his sword over his armor. And he tried in vain to go, for he had not tested them. Then David said to Saul, “I cannot go with these, for I have not tested them.” So David put them off. 1 Samuel 17:39

Observation: David, outraged, prepares to come up against Goliath. Though David is hopelessly outmatched, he goes in the name of the Lord. Saul tries to equip David with his armor and weapons, but David realizes he is not a warrior; he is a shepherd. Robes and slings will be his strategy. David trusts in who the Lord made him to be, not in who others need him to be.

Application: This weekend I am speaking to a group at a conference. When I think about my topic, I get a little intimidated—it is outside my area of expertise. I wonder if they should have gotten someone else to deliver this talk, someone with the training and tools to really bring this topic to light. In recent weeks of preparation, I feel I have been trying on different suits of armor, trying to be a warrior. But I am a shepherd. I have to go out to meet this group as myself, as who God made me to be, not wearing the armor of another. God knew what he was doing when he called me here, and I can go in confidence in the name of the Lord.

Prayer: God, help me to go out today in Your name. Free me from the pressure of another man’s armor. For your reasons, you chose me to be the one to do this talk. I pray you would let me go out with my staff and sling, and throw for the fences. Thanks for qualifying those you call. And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek you. Psalm 9:10

Succeeding at Work but Failing at Home

Scripture: Why then do you scorn my sacrifices and my offerings that I commanded, and honor your sons above me by fattening yourselves on the choicest parts of every offering of my people Israel?’ 1 Samuel 2:29

Observation: Eli is a priest, and from his interactions with young Samuel, he appears to be a godly and wise one. Yet in his influence with his own sons, he is a failure. His sons, who serve in the ministry, are consumed with greed and immorality. They abuse their power. While we want to be careful about holding parents responsible for all their children’s’ actions. In this case, God does hold Eli accountable. God promises to dishonor Eli and his sons and eventually put them to death. In this situation, Eli was able to be an influence for good among other children, but not his own. He was good at work but a failure at home.

Application: As a pastor, I have the opportunity to influence others. On the recent Boquillas trip, I had the opportunity to spend time with and influence the children of others. But the lesson of Eli to me today is: your kids are your priority. Eli helped Samuel listen and follow God, but was unable to lead his sons to do the same. I do not want that to be my legacy. “He led others, but failed with his own family.” It can be easy for me to get home and go “off the clock.” But my main ministry is among my own family.

Prayer: God, help me to learn how to lead my own kids. I pray to day they will honor you and grow in love for you. Show me ways I can lead them, even tonight.