Daily devotion – a slow erosion
1Co 10:12 Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.
The first eleven chapters of 1 Kings record the erosion of a great man, in fact, the greatest of his day. Solomon was a natural for the throne of David. He was tutored at the feet of Nathan the prophet, groomed through the heart of Bathsheba, polished under the eyes of David and matured by the hand of God…..but!
Deterioration is never sudden. Living by the ocean means that salt in the air will eventually cause all things metal to rust and corrode. We had the patio out the front of the Church built not long ago and since its erection have had it treated already for rust and repainted in that time for corrosion. It now needs another treatment.
No garden “suddenly” overgrows with weeds or thorns. No marriage “suddenly” breaks down. No nation “suddenly” becomes depraved. Slowly, almost imperceptibly, certain things are accepted that once were rejected. I can remember when the words, “shut up” were treated as swear words! Things once considered hurtful are now secretly tolerated.
King Solomon whose own life was a gradual slide into deterioration wrote “the way which seems right becomes the way of death”
The Apostle Paul wrote, “Take heed, you who stand: take heed, lest you fall!”
Be careful about changing your standard so that it corresponds with your own desires. Be very cautious about becoming puffed up with thoughts of your own importance.
Paul warns us to be ever alert to the pitfalls of prosperity and success. Should God provide you abundance, fame, and success, remember to remain balanced!
Remember that man Solomon, who sadly deteriorated from a humble man of wisdom to a vain fool in what was a brief span of time.
We live in a dangerous world with an ever present enemy but if we live at the foot of Christ’s Cross each day, His power, grace and might will sustain and direct us to remain wise and not become fools.