Last week we learned that David sinned in taking a census of the
fighting men. He wanted to do that in order to glory in his own
power. God then punished Israel with three days of a plague that He
sent. Seventy thousand people died in the process. David repented
immediately and offered sacrifices to the Lord on the threshing
floor of Araunah. The plague stopped. David was always quick to
repent, to turn to God and to do whatever it takes to rectify his
mistake. We can also learn from him and should always turn to God
and listen to His voice instructing us on the way forward.
David was getting older and the time had come for him to have a
successor. He had promised Bathsheba that Solomon will be king in
his place, but he never formally decreed it. Then Adonijah decided
that he must be king instead. He proclaimed himself king
and had many of David's trusted advisors follow him. But this was
not God's plan. While Adonijah was partying as the self-proclaimed
king, David organized that Solomon be crowned king and all the
people of the land followed him. All that followed Adonijah fled
and Solomon became king. Adonijah himself feared for his life, but
Solomon declared that if he proves himself to be a worthy man, he
will live, but if wickedness is found in him he will die.
Unfortunately this happened later on and Adonijah was executed.
So Solomon became the next king of Israel, but before David died
he gave Solomon some last piece of advice. And the first and best
advice that he gave Solomon was:
"And keep the charge of the Lord your God: to walk in His
ways, to keep His statutes, His commandments, His judgments, and
His testimonies, as it is written in the Law of Moses, that you may
prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn." 1 Kings
2:3
David gave the secret to an abundant life to Solomon. This was
the most important advice ever given to Solomon. Unfortunately
Solomon didn't do that. He was a wise man and God was mightily with
him, but he took many foreign wives. And he built temples to their
gods to appease them. And this in the end led him to worship these
false gods with them. God wasn't pleased, but He didn't punish
Solomon due to His love for David. He split the Kingdom in two with
Solomon's son Rehoboam. But that is a story of another day.
The message for us today is that we must walk in God's ways as
David did. God's ways are loud and clear in the Bible for us. In
those days they were not as fortunate as we are today. They didn't
have all the technology at hand to always have a Bible close by.
They had to trust what others told them and read to them. But we
don't have to. We are so privileged; I don't think we always
appreciate it as we should. We can delve into God's Word and learn
His ways. We can learn more about Him and spend time with Him on a
very intimate level. We are truly so fortunate. But unfortunately
when something is easy, it doesn't attract us as humans that much.
Think of all the extreme sports doing the rounds these days, the
harder and more extreme the better. We then give those guys a badge
of honor and revere them as if they are super heroes. When in fact
the super heroes are those that really dig into God's Word and take
the diamonds for their daily walk with God. Super heroes are those
that defy this world and walk on the narrow pathway leading to life
everlasting. They are the ones sold out to God, those who will
stand up in this evil world of ours and proclaim His majesty no
matter what the cost.
Are you a super hero in the world's eyes or in God's eyes? For
if you are one in God's eyes your super hero status will continue
past this world unto heaven. There you will be honored and revered
and given the crown of salvation. And that life will continue way
past this present one.
Come, the time has come to get dressed in the armor of God and
fly as the super hero that you are. God wants to take you higher
and higher. Get ready for action.
Father, thank you that You are always there for us, supporting
us and leading us unto Your ways everlasting. We never want to
deviate from Your plan for us. Help us to walk on the correct
pathways for our lives. Amen