May 29, 2006 - II Chronicles 7-9 and John 11:1-29
It is hard to imagine all of the ways that Solomon was blessed by God. These chapters graphically outline many of those blessings, as they emphasize the positive aspects of Solomon's life. However, we know that Solomon departed from the Lord during his life. How did that happen with all of his wisdom and the other blessings from God? I believe that it was the blessings that helped to contribute to his unfaithfulness. Let's examine this aspect of his life as we read these chapters.
Chapter 7 gives us a picture of the glory of God filling the Temple as the fire fell from God to consume the sacrifices. What an awesome sight! Then, God appeared to Solomon again and told him that He was answering his prayer, so that God would respond when His people humbly prayed and sought His face in repentance or in time of need. (v.14) This was truly a mountaintop experience for Solomon. Could it be that he began to be complacent and to think that the blessing of God was automatic? God told him that it was based on his obedience. (v. 17-22) However, Solomon began to drift away, and perhaps part of the problem was being complacent in God's blessings.
Chapter 8 tells of all of Solomon's many accomplishments, and chapter 9 tells of how the Queen of Sheba came to test him and found his riches and wisdom to be greater than anyone else in the world. Could it be that all of these blessings led to pride? Could it be that Solomon thought that he knew best, so he did not have to continue to follow God's Word completely? I am not sure what happened, but I know that the Bible tells us that pride goes before a fall. It tells us that we can't be complacent or lukewarm. These things lead to disobedience. That is what happened to Solomon, and it can happen to us today, even if we are not as blessed as Solomon. We must guard against complacency and pride.
John 11 tells about the death and the resurrection of Lazarus. Could it be that Jesus allowed the death of Lararus to awaken His followers from complacency? Perhaps, they were enjoying being in His presence, but they were not really believing in Him as they should. Jesus told His disciples that He was glad it happened, so that they might believe. (v.15) When He arrived after the death of Lazarus, He spoke to Martha first. She said that her brother would not have died if Jesus had been there, and that she believed that God would do anything He asked. (v.21,22) However, she was not really thinking it was possible for Jesus to raise the dead. She needed to have her faith expanded. Jesus wanted to shake her and the others out of a rut. He did that by coming to show them once and for all that He was the Resurrection and the Life. (v.25) How about you? Do you believe that Jesus can raise the dead? Do you believe He can do anything, or are you in a state of complacency, resting in God's blessings, but not really depending on Him totally? I pray that we will not make Jesus shake us out of our pride and complacency. Sometimes that process hurts. Let's trust Him and His Word, as we walk with Him each day.
Tomorrow, I intend to read II Chronicles 10-12 and John 11:30-57.
Chapter 7 gives us a picture of the glory of God filling the Temple as the fire fell from God to consume the sacrifices. What an awesome sight! Then, God appeared to Solomon again and told him that He was answering his prayer, so that God would respond when His people humbly prayed and sought His face in repentance or in time of need. (v.14) This was truly a mountaintop experience for Solomon. Could it be that he began to be complacent and to think that the blessing of God was automatic? God told him that it was based on his obedience. (v. 17-22) However, Solomon began to drift away, and perhaps part of the problem was being complacent in God's blessings.
Chapter 8 tells of all of Solomon's many accomplishments, and chapter 9 tells of how the Queen of Sheba came to test him and found his riches and wisdom to be greater than anyone else in the world. Could it be that all of these blessings led to pride? Could it be that Solomon thought that he knew best, so he did not have to continue to follow God's Word completely? I am not sure what happened, but I know that the Bible tells us that pride goes before a fall. It tells us that we can't be complacent or lukewarm. These things lead to disobedience. That is what happened to Solomon, and it can happen to us today, even if we are not as blessed as Solomon. We must guard against complacency and pride.
John 11 tells about the death and the resurrection of Lazarus. Could it be that Jesus allowed the death of Lararus to awaken His followers from complacency? Perhaps, they were enjoying being in His presence, but they were not really believing in Him as they should. Jesus told His disciples that He was glad it happened, so that they might believe. (v.15) When He arrived after the death of Lazarus, He spoke to Martha first. She said that her brother would not have died if Jesus had been there, and that she believed that God would do anything He asked. (v.21,22) However, she was not really thinking it was possible for Jesus to raise the dead. She needed to have her faith expanded. Jesus wanted to shake her and the others out of a rut. He did that by coming to show them once and for all that He was the Resurrection and the Life. (v.25) How about you? Do you believe that Jesus can raise the dead? Do you believe He can do anything, or are you in a state of complacency, resting in God's blessings, but not really depending on Him totally? I pray that we will not make Jesus shake us out of our pride and complacency. Sometimes that process hurts. Let's trust Him and His Word, as we walk with Him each day.
Tomorrow, I intend to read II Chronicles 10-12 and John 11:30-57.