1 Kings 8:61 “And may your hearts be fully committed to the Lord our God, to live by his decrees and obey his commands, as at this time.”

God honored Solomon’s office as king, and He anointed him to speak real truth to the people. Sadly, Solomon himself didn’t continue to follow all that God spoke through him. This connects directly with what Jesus said about the religious leaders of His day. “So you must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach.” (Matthew 23:3) Ecclesiastical position is to be respected, but it doesn’t guarantee righteousness. This becomes a major problem when Church leaders believe what is said about them. That is a very timely subject, when the Catholics are in the process of choosing another Pope. Every time we come to Solomon this resonates in me very strongly. He was incredibly blessed and gifted, including with intelligence, but he got so used to it that he got sloppy in his obedience, substituting human logic for obedience to God, to the point that he participated in idolatry – the exact opposite of what he is exhorting the people to do here. As the saying goes, “There’s no fool like an old fool.” In relating to leaders, we are indeed to honor their position, but keep God as the ultimate authority in our minds and hearts.

At 76, I can certainly relate to the possibility of being an old fool! The Lord has been amazingly faithful to speak His Word through me over the years, but if I fail to follow it myself, it does me no good personally. What I have written continues to bless people. I get “likes” on my blog all the time for things I posted years ago. However, if I fail to walk in faithful obedience, I will lose the blessings that should accrue to such things, whatever the people around me might think. I am never to presume or coast, but keep pressing in for more of my Lord. Just yesterday I got news that someone I have known and loved over the years has joined the great throng before the Throne, and I’ll confess to a touch of envy. I do enjoy life on this earth, a great deal, actually, but sometimes the little hassles add up, and I want to be done with it all. However, I could well have another 20 years in my current assignment, and I’m never to jump ship. I am to rejoice to be useful to God, however He wants to use me, and be careful to keep my heart focused on Him in full, loving obedience, so that the distractions of this world won’t pull me away, as they did Solomon.

Father, thank You for this reminder. This year looks to have several “departures” of people who are meaningful to me. May I rest, relax, and rejoice in You for as long as You keep me here, being faithful to do all the things You say to and through me, so that the Body of Christ may be built up for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!