“Now King Solomon loved many foreign women. Besides Pharaoh’s daughter, he married women from Moab, Ammon, Edom, Sidon, and from among the Hittites. 2 The Lord had clearly instructed the people of Israel, “You must not marry them, because they will turn your hearts to their gods.” Yet Solomon insisted on loving them anyway. 3 He had 700 wives of royal birth and 300 concubines. And in fact, they did turn his heart away from the Lord.” 1 Kings 11:1-3
“He had warned Solomon specifically about worshiping other gods, but Solomon did not listen to the Lord’s command. 11 So now the Lord said to him, “Since you have not kept my covenant and have disobeyed my decrees, I will surely tear the kingdom away from you and give it to one of your servants. 12 But for the sake of your father, David, I will not do this while you are still alive. I will take the kingdom away from your son. 13 And even so, I will not take away the entire kingdom; I will let him be king of one tribe, for the sake of my servant David and for the sake of Jerusalem, my chosen city.” 1 Kings 11:10-13
Father God,
James reminds us that You give good gifts to Your children (James 1:17). And You gave the gift of wisdom to Solomon at his request. But it was his to choose to use it! And his weakness in one area trod over it unfortunately! It reminds us that gifts have to be used and Your Word cannot be put aside while we indulge ourselves! Or refuse to admit to our own weaknesses. How sad that he achieved so much and yet in indulging in others was led astray.
So You bounce me into the New Testament and to Paul and also to the Book of Hebrews. (Did Paul write it?). Reminding me that it is not the start that is all important but the finishing is. “Don’t you realise that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win.” (1 Corinthians 9:24) And there is a crown for everyone, thank You Lord. “. . . and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:1-3).
Solomon reminded us, “there is nothing new under the sun.” (Ecclesiastes 1:9). So help us when we make silly mistakes, slip into indulgence or selfishness in its many guises, or just run out of steam not to give up. Pick us up Lord, dust us off, wash us clean and help us back into the race. And when we are running well, help us to help others get back up and find their joy again.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Wednesday 11th June 2025
Turn your eyes upon Jesus
Look full in His wonderful face
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace
Turn your eyes to the hillside
Where justice and mercy embraced
There the Son of God gave His life for us
And our measureless debt was erased
Jesus, to You we lift our eyes
Jesus, our glory and our prize
We adore You, behold You, our Savior ever true
Oh Jesus, we turn our eyes to You
Turn your eyes to the morning
And see Christ the Lion awake
What a glorious dawn, fear of death is gone
For we carry His life in our veins
Chorus . . .
Turn your eyes to the heavens
Our King will return for His own
Every knee will bow, every tongue will shout
“All glory to Jesus alone”
Chorus Twice
Oh Jesus we turn our eyes to You
Chorus: Helen Howarth Lemmel
New Verses: George Romanacce, Kevin Winebarger, Nathan Stiff, Nic Trout