"Solomon showed his love for the Lord by walking according to the statutes of his father David, except that he offered sacrifices and burned incense on the high places."
Solomon is considered the wisest man who ever lived, yet his life showed many, many poor personal choices. He aligned himself with Egypt by marrying a pagan, the daughter of Pharaoh, and then went on to marry thousands of other pagan women, thereby creating alliances with the forbidden foreign nations of Moab, Ammon, Edom, Sidon and the Hittites. He permitted his wives and concubines to worship their gods in their manner, even building them temples to do so in, thereby affecting his loyalty to God. He compromised his faith by offering sacrifices and incense on the high places. Solomon asked God for wisdom in his dealings with people, but he did not apply that wisdom to his personal life. Eventually his leadership suffered and so did that of his successors.
Effective leadership can be nullified by an ineffective personal life. From the president of the country to the lowliest worker, every person is a leader to someone, whether it be a nation, a family, a church, a business, a teacher, a nursery worker, a nanny, an older sibling, a . . . . .. . . . and the list grows and grows. Everyone has influence over others to one degree or another. If our personal life is not in line with the word of God, our leadership will falter, leaving a trail of mounting problems and impending crisis's. We cannot compromise our faith by so much as one tiny thought, let alone acting in the way of the world. We cannot say we love God and follow His commands, and then step out of line and walk with the world. Compromise creates confusion and indecision. God granted Solomon wisdom to administer justice, but because of his sin in his worship, he failed in personal relationships, eventually over-taxed the people and drafted them into forced labor and military service. And with this sin in worshiping false gods, his children and his nation followed in his footsteps.
We must be very careful, very diligent, very purposeful in adhering to the complete word of God. We cannot twist it to suit our means, we must conform to it. Our entire attitude toward God and His Word affects every aspect of our relationships, starting with our immediate family, branching out into our work place, spreading to our neighbors and acquaintances, to those we meet casually, and in an ever-widening circle. The actions of our lives and our attitude toward God is our constant unspoken witness, and is the basis of all our decisions and deeds. It is that which will leave its mark on the world.
How does the world see you today? What kind of a witness are you projecting? What kind of a legacy are you leaving for your family? What would history record of your spiritual life and the decisions you made as a result of it?
"Lord God Almighty, strengthen my heart, that it will be ever and always true to Your every command. Keep me from straying, no matter how short the step may seem. My heart's desire is for my eyes to never leave Your sweet, holy face. Fill me with Your holy wisdom that I may use it in every facet of my life. Use me to Your Glory. Amen."
FOR FURTHER STUDY:
Nehemiah 13:26
Psalm 90:12
James 1:5
Deuteronomy 4:5-7
Psalm 37:30
51:6
111:10
Proverbs 11:2
Luke 2:52
1 Corinthians 1:20
2:5
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