May 27th - Idolatry to Ignominy

Idolatry to Ignominy

(1 Kings 11)

The Idolatry of Solomon

By Frans Francken, II

1622

Despite his remarkable God-given wisdom, Solomon failed to guard his heart against idolatry. During his reign over Israel, King Solomon allowed his heart to drift into adoration of foreign women, who worshiped idols and false gods.

“[King Solomon] had seven hundred wives of royal birth

and three hundred concubines,

and his wives led him astray.

As Solomon grew old,

his wives turned his heart after other gods,

and his heart was not fully devoted

to the Lord his God,

as the heart of David his father had been.”

(1 Kings 11:4-5, NIV, emphasis added)

Before long, Solomon followed the pagan practices of his many wives. God was not pleased.

“The Lord became angry with Solomon

because his heart had turned away from the Lord,

the God of Israel,

who had appeared to him twice.

Although he had forbidden Solomon to follow other gods,

Solomon did not keep the Lord's command.

So the Lord said to Solomon,

‘Since this is your attitude

and you have not kept My covenant and My decrees,

which I commanded you,

I will most certainly tear the kingdom

away from you

and give it to one of your subordinates.

Nevertheless, for the sake of David your father,

I will not do it during your lifetime.

I will tear it out of the hand of your son.

Yet I will not tear the whole kingdom from him,

but will give him one tribe

for the sake of David

My servant

and for the sake of Jerusalem,

which I have chosen.’"

(1 Kings 11:9-13, NIV, emphasis added)

Although King Solomon enjoyed one of the most prosperous and peaceful kingdoms in human history, his failure to follow the Lord wholeheartedly led to its eventual division.

What idolatrous influences might seek to draw us away from full commitment to the Lord our God? What individuals might we allow in our lives, who might threaten our devotion to the one true God?

A Blessing Preserved

Isn’t it fascinating how the Lord promised to preserve a portion of His holy nation for the sake of Solomon’s faithful father, King David of Israel?

What promise might be contained herein for parents and grandparents of faith? Doesn’t this biblical precedent prompt us to pray faithfully and earnestly for generations that follow us? How might the quality of our own devotion to God actually impact those who will come after us?

Will you pray with me?

Jehovah God,

Only You merit our praise.

You deserve all the glory,

And the honor

And our total worship.

Shine Your light into our lives,

And reveal to us

Any idolatrous influences

We may have permitted

To permeate our thoughts

And our hearts.

Draw us ever nearer to Your heart,

So that we may behold You

As You are.

Amen.

May 26th - Song of Songs

Song of Songs

(Psalm 127

Song of Solomon 1:1 – 8:14)

Who Is This That Cometh Up from the Wilderness,

Leaning Upon Her Beloved?

James Shaw Crompton

19^th Century

The Song of Solomon, or Song of Songs, presents a tender and touching portrait of romantic love and even fleshly passion. These chapters display the feelings of those who are truly in love, enjoying the God-given blessings of marital intimacy and lifetime devotion between a man and a woman.

Is such a sweet and selfless love even possible between fallen humans?

It is far too easy for us to look longingly at others' relationships and then critically at our own. We may wonder if real love, trust, intimacy, encouragement, passion, sharing and romance are even possible. Perhaps not. Maybe the fairy tale is just a fairy tale . . . at least, in this mortal life.

On a deeper level, as the Bride of Christ, the Church herself eagerly awaits the marriage supper of the Lamb. On that glorious day, the blood-bought believers of the living God will enjoy in-person intimacy with the Lord for an eternal Heavenly honeymoon.

Certainly, this God-man relationship is not intended as a sexual situation, but the tender caring and love of the Lord will surely surpass our hearts’ deepest desires. For our great God loves us more than we can imagine.

Do you know the love of the Lord?

Do you have any idea how much He adores you? The Savior is smitten with you. He carries your image upon His own heart. He has written your name upon His hands with His own blood.

May the Lord reveal His great love to you today in a brand-new way, so that you may see Him surrounding you with the tenderness that only He can offer.

Will you pray with me?

Holy Lord,

Lover of our souls,

Give us a glimpse

Of Your passion for Your people.

Offer a peek

Of Your tender care

For us.

Teach us to trust You,

For no other love

Even comes close

To the adoration

And commitment

You have already offered to us.

We rest in Your grace,

For You have already

Bought us back

From ourselves.

Amen.

May 25th - The Word's Woman Woman

The Word’s Wonder Woman

(Proverbs 14:10, 13;

15:13, 30;

17:22;

18:14;

25:20, 25;

27:11, 20;

19:6;

30:1-33;

31:1-31)

Wonder Woman

DC Comics

Today, we complete our Bible readings in the book of Proverbs.

The final portion focuses on the Proverbs 31 woman, the wife of noble character. The Proverbs 31 woman is often cited as the paragon of femininity, productivity and wifely perfection. Certainly, these lines offer a list of ideals for womanhood.

Does Proverbs 31 describe an actual historical woman? Could such a perfect human role model ever exist?

Perusing these lines of Scripture, how should we respond?

Are women to aspire to such feminine ideals? Ought we to feel guilty or ashamed if we do not possess this seemingly unfathomable set of artistic skills, business savvy, boundless energy, perfect parenting results, mutually affirming marital relationship, regional respect and other assets?

Perhaps too frequently, Proverbs 31 has been employed as a proverbial club to enforce others’ agendas upon faithful women. How many wives have been criticized, berated or even beaten for failing to measure up against this biblical standard? Surely, Proverbs 31 offers a tall order for any human being to meet.

Who is the wife of noble character?

Maybe the Proverbs 31 woman is really a parcel of potential that may be collectively available to the faithful. Could it be that we might find these capabilities in fellowship with one another? After all, if the Church is the Bride of Christ (see Revelation 19:7), perhaps the Lord is building His own wife of noble character, in His own time and His own power.

Hallelujah. May the Lord’s grace free us from guilt and shame, once again, as we lean upon Him. His favor is free to those He has forgiven, and His forgiveness is available to all who will ask. Praise the Lord for paying the price for our failures.

He alone is worthy.

The Bride of Christ

Artist Unknown

Will you pray with me?

Holy God,

You have promised

To prepare us

For Your coming.

We look to You.

We eagerly await

The day

When Your trumpet shall sound,

For the marriage supper

Of the Lamb of God.

Purify us.

Make us ready

To meet You

As Your spotless Bride.

Till then,

Continue to grow us

Into Your image,

And equip us

For all You have called us to do.

We praise You

For buying our freedom

From guilt and shame.

We are unworthy,

But You are more than worthy.

Hallelujah.

Amen.

May 24th - Right Relationships

Right Relationships

(Proverbs 1:8-9;

3:25-26;

10:1;

11:22, 29;

12:4, 26;

13:12, 17, 19-20;

14:1, 7, 28, 32, 35;

15:20;

16:10, 12-15, 17, 31;

17:2, 6-7, 11, 17, 21;

18:22, 24;

19:12-14, 26;

20:2, 8, 20, 26-28;

21:1, 9, 19;

22:1, 3, 5, 11, 13;

23:1-3, 17-18, 22-25;

24:1-2, 10, 21-22;

25:2-7, 9-10, 13, 24:

26:13;

27:8-10, 12, 15-16;

28:1-3, 15-16, 24;

29:4, 12, 14, 24)

No Finer Friend

Artist Unknown

Our Bible readings in Proverbs today, penned primarily by King Solomon of Israel, point out positives and negatives in interpersonal relationships. These sections deal with right and wrong standing in family, social and governmental relationships.

Each one of us likely holds many relational titles – sons or daughters, brothers or sisters, employees or employers, leaders or followers – or even many combinations of such roles.

Let’s consider the variety of responsibilities the Lord has given us within these areas of influence within our personal and professional lives. How many relational responsibilities do you carry? How many can you find in this word-search puzzle? Can you think of any other relationships in your own life? How might the Lord be glorified in these?

Right Relationships

A Q V I T G T M F W X I F H X X F C A O

J M U P C F A T H E R X O N T R C M V Z

V N J A U R P N S G M N G K Y G N I N V

H Y P A R T N E R A O F L V R R O I R U

H U H I T R C R E R T J L T A K F R G S

D N A T S R E D N U H Y V C N N M E L X

R G I X N I E L P O E P D E T A T L E X

E L N O I G D I S C R E T I O N V U Y H

P M S W Z H E H N O I T A T U P E R L S

L L T I G T A C C O M P L I C E T R E U

E K L S S E V D L F E E G S G N I K A S

H N V D R O L N C A P C S D E Y H E D P

Q F P O P U L A T I O N N S T I F V E R

Z B C M Q S B R O T H E R I E G L O R Y

A E K F H Z N G O H I D L G R N H L Y V

H R G T K R I N Z R O I U I V P G O A T

D R L U B Z W I F E M F R W Q V P E K V

G K V F L H Y N U U E N E I G H B O R Q

D R N G B Q L I H R Q O W Y E A Y H R D

F D F U T U R E J O I C E M D B E X O C

ACCOMPLICE

ALLIES

BROTHER

CHILDREN

CONFIDENCE

COURAGE

DISCRETION

FAITH

FATHER

FRIEND

FUTURE

GLORY

GRANDCHILD

HELPER

HONOR

HOPE

HUMILITY

INSTRUCT

KINGS

LEADER

LORD

LOVE

MARRIAGE

MESSENGER

MOTHER

NEIGHBOR

PARENT

PARTNER

PEOPLE

POPULATION

PRINCE

QUARRELSOME

REFUGE

REJOICE

REPUTATION

RIGHTEOUS

RULER

SENTRY

SERVANT

SON

TYRANT

UNDERSTAND

WIFE

WISDOM

Personalizing the Proverbs

Which particular Proverbs from today’s Scripture reading has the Lord laid upon your own heart today?

Here are two verses that He impressed upon my spirit. Maybe you are pondering these as well . . . or others.

“The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord;

He directs it like a watercourse wherever He pleases.”

(Proverbs 21:1, NIV)

What a wonderful promise – and a reminder to pray for governmental authorities, whether we agree with their politics or not. God rules.

“A friend loves at all times,

and a brother is born for adversity.”

(Proverbs 17:17, NIV)

How fortunate I am to have such friends. Surely, anyone who can claim even one or two friends with such loyalty and commitment is truly blessed. Does not our Lord Jesus Himself model such friendship, as He offered His own life in the ultimate adversity for us?

May God guide our relationships – at home, at work and in our homelands – as we look to Him.

Will you pray with me?

Great God,

You are everything to us.

Our Father,

Our Brother

Our Comforter

And King.

You are the Good Shepherd

And our forever Friend.

We adore You.

Guide our relationships.

Lead us to honor You.

Amen.