There’s this bit in scripture:
And the Lord was angry with Solomon, because his heart had turned away from the Lord, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice and had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not go after other gods. But he did not keep what the Lord commanded. Therefore the Lord said to Solomon, “Since this has been your practice and you have not kept my covenant and my statutes that I have commanded you, I will surely tear the kingdom from you and will give it to your servant. (1 Kings 11:9-11 ESV)
It’s tragic to read having read the previous ten chapters where Solomon does so much good. Solomon is the wisest man in the world. Solomon’s heart is devoted to the Lord as displayed in the building and dedication of the temple to the Lord. It is so tragic then that God has a problem with Solomon that leads to Him being angry.
What I find fascinating however in reading this is in how God’s problem is what Solomon practices. God told Him clearly not to go after other gods. God’s call was clear about faithfulness. And that faithfulness is expressed in what we do – what we practice. It’s not that the practice makes perfect, it’s that the practice expresses preference.
For sure, Solomon wasn’t being a hypocrite at all. His heart had turned away from the Lord. As expression of that turning away he was more into doing what his wives wanted to do even when it got to those other gods. Rather than the focus on the house of the Lord and following all the Lord said in his practices, Solomon ditched that for new practices.
Christians today would not readily confess to being anything like Solomon at this latter stage of his life. Christians are taught among other things to make sure that they’re doing the right things and saying the right things. Indeed listening to prayers we are earnest in wanting to dp right by God.
The question, however, is do our practices reflect those prayers that are God-directed and God-centred? Do our practices reflect our heart inclined towards God?
This is not a push for more outward exhibitions. The issue is not how about how much. The issue is about the heart that is inclined to God, not content to leave it to words and noble sentiments, but expressing that Godward inclination.
This is an issue that should challenge followers of Jesus in every step of their journey following Him. For followers know that walking the walk sees prayers for the Kingdom of God to come influence practices that display the Kingdom.
It would be a pity if our practices were not that much better than Solomon’s at the end.
(Photo by Ethan Elisara on Unsplash)
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden
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