17/03/2022 - THE BEST CHOICE

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And of all my sons (for the Lord has given me many sons) He has chosen my son Solomon to sit on the throne of the kingdom of the Lord over Israel. 1 Chronicles 28.5

Before we talk about Solomon – David’s son with Bathsheba, who was Uriah´s wife, the faithful soldier – let us remember that David’s act was sinful and horrible (read 2 Samuel, chapter 11). However, he repented and was forgiven, but there would be serious consequences, as Nathan said: Now therefore, the sword shall never depart from your house, because You have despised Me, and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your wife (2 Samuel 12:10). Every sin brings serious results!

Among David’s sons, Solomon was the one chosen by God to succeed his father on the throne of the Lord. The choices made by the Most High must be well received by those who love Him. Now, He knows how to act and He does it in holiness. Therefore, never rebel against any divine act. It is good to pay attention to this fact, because the devil will try to show you “breaches” that really don’t exist in the heavenly Commander!

Solomon’s reign was beautiful in the beginning, because God appeared to him twice. On the first occasion, when the Almighty offered to make him whatever he wanted, the king asked only for wisdom to lead the people of Israel (1 Kings 3:3-15). Because he desired nothing else, the other things that would make him a perfect leader were given to him. However, he was not vigilant in keeping the commandments, and this brought him dishonor and enemies at the end of his days.

It is irrelevant to be faithful ninety percent of the time, because a fraction of carelessness will open the door for the devil to work in your life. From the very beginning of our walk with Christ, we have to decide if we are going to do as the misfits, who do not fear God, or if we are going to fulfill the demands of the Word. Now, Jesus’ burden is light, and His yoke is easy (Matthew 11:28-30). Therefore, if you want to reach perfection, power will be given to you. God is our Friend!

The Lord was right to choose Solomon. But as the days went by, the king gave in to the charms of strange, non-Jewish women and loved many of them (1 Kings 11:1-8). God had told Israel that His children should not be given to them. It is often said that power corrupts, and that is what happened to the wisest man in the world. Solomon, led by temptation, had 700 wives, plus 300 concubines.

He didn’t realize that because he sat on the throne of the Lord, he would receive heavenly assistance to escape all and any snares. Samson, for example, who lived before Solomon, was also set apart by God. However, this Nazarite set a very bad example, showing weakness by succumbing to Delilah’s charm. His end was very sad: he died without fulfilling his mission (Judges 16:4-31). Solomon was rebuked for this too!

Over the centuries, weak people have given themselves over to the flesh and defiled God’s plan for them. You, who are reading this message, beware, because the devil will try to drift you away from God’s project. Resist even to the point of blood, if you have to. God really loves you!

In Christ, with love

R. R. Soares