The Meaning Of Life

https://biblehub.com/nkjv/1_kings/4.htm

These two chapters enlighten us as to the condition of Israel under the reign of Solomon and his preparation to build the temple.

Most of the scriptures just contain factual data about Solomon’s military and about how well Israel was doing. Everyone was prosperous, Solomon’s wisdom was rubbing off on them, and how Solomon was working with the King of Tyre to get supplies for Temple.

If I’m not mistaken, Israel has 40 years of rest during Solomon’s reign,meaning there were no wars. And it had been a very long time since Israel had been at war, trying to cleanse the land of pagans, and a long time since other countries were attacking Israel.

So what was the difference between Solomon and his predeccessors, his father David, and the first King of Israel, Saul? Was it because Solomon had requested wisdom from God and not strength? Was it because Solomon’s first request wasn’t for power? Was it because God had given the command to David that Solomon would build the temple instead of David, and He wanted the temple built with clean and guilt-free, blood-free hands?

Obviously there was something special about Solomon from the onset. David had older sons, sons that would have been in line to inherit the throne, but they were wicked, so was it God’s Will that Solomon inherit it?

Perhaps it was because God picked Saul to be the annointed because not only was he strong, he was humble. Remember when Samuel went to present him as King to the people, Saul was in the background, not wanting attention. But Saul turned out to be proud, and started doing what he wanted to do instead of doing God’s Will.

David was picked, in my opinion, because of his faith. God knew that no matter how strong Saul and his army was, they did not have enough faith to defeat Goliath and the Philistines. David had the faith, despite his youth, despite his size; he knew he was going to be victorious because he was on God’s side. And yet, David turned out to be somewhat proud and selfish when he took a married woman to be his wife, then had her husband killed to cover up the affair.

And now God picks Solomon, someone who wishes for the talent to handle things wisely and not so much with the sword. But as we will see in the future, Solomon too turns out to sin; showing that all of us are sinners.

No matter how we start out, none of us are immune to falling. No matter how religious we are, how dedicated, how much we think we love God, we cannot let our guard down or Satan will draw us away. A board certified psychiatrist who has his own ministry once taught that 50% of all church pastors view pornography at least once a week. If you can dedicate your life to God, go to theology school to get your degree, and become ordained because your mission is to bring people to Jesus, yet, you still fall weekly and view pornography, how does common man fare?

I know that to keep on track, I have to pray and to pray a lot. If I wake up in prayer, go to bed with prayer, and pray throughout the day, I can pretty much keep my focus, not perfect in any way, but at least I can keep my eyes on the Savior. But if one night I fall short and fail to pray, it is easy to miss it the next night, then the next morning, and before you know it, you’re praying for God to bless your food and that is the only communication you have with Him. And slowly but surely, Satan starts drawing you away.

It’s easy to do. So we have to remain religious in our walk with God. And if you fall, do not be afraid to get up and start again. I often tell God that I may not make it to Heaven, but it won’t be because I didn’t try. No matter how far I fall, I refuse to give in to Satan and just surrender the fight.

God loves us. Even when we sin like Saul, and David, and Moses, and Abraham, and Cain, and Adam and Eve, and all the rest, God loves us. We may not understand His Will, we may not understand why He allows someone to become King, or in modern times, Governor or President, but it is His Will at work. And His Will will be done.