DO NOT SHIFT

In this modern world, almost no one that never hear about Solomon. Although he lived centuries ago, until this moment people are still discussing about his wisdom, wealth, power, charisma, even the number of his wives and concubines. In the days of his greatness, Solomon was not just famous among his people, but his greatness was also recognized up to foreign countries.

Solomon had a life that desirable by many people:  he had a position, power, wise, well-known, respected, admired, and rich. Solomon was an example of the highest achievement of man. God promised Solomon that before him there was no one like him, and after him there would not be exceeding himself.

“…..see, I have given you A WISE and UNDERSTANDING HEART, so that there has not been anyone like you before you, nor shall any like you arise after you.” (1 Kings 3:12)

“… and I will give you RICHES and WEALTH and HONOR, such as none of the kings have had who were before you, nor shall any after you have the like.” (2 Chronicles 1:12)

Up to this point all went well, until then Solomon did some disobedience, which peaked in 1 Kings 11:4 (NET) “When Solomon BECAME OLD, his wives SHIFTED HIS ALLEGIANCE to other gods; he was NOT WHOLEHEARTEDLY DEVOTED to the Lord his God, as his father David had been.”

 

ALREADY OLD

In his age that ALREADY OLD, Solomon owned, enjoyed, and reached everything. As Human everything Solomon’s need about acceptance, recognition, and awards had been met. Even the main task that given by God to build a magnificent temple already completely done. So, what else should be pursued? Nothing!

“ALREADY OLD” that I want to talk now is not about the number of age, but about a condition of someone who felt “Enough” with their hard work and achievement. They feel already complete their task, already working on God’s calling, don’t have any vision, and don’t have passion to reach and struggle something bigger and higher. All is enough, secure, and comfortable. In the other words, are in THE COMFORT ZONE.

Of course the size of the comfort zone is different for each person. It is not merely talking about prosperity, but rather to the heart condition. Whatever it is, this is a DANGEROUS ZONE. It is no secret, when people increasingly desperate, they will be more eager to seek God. Increasingly feel inadequate; they will increasingly depend upon the Lord. But…..When they lulled into a comfort zone, if not keep the heart, the “fire” and the spirit to fight will be increasingly dimmed. At the end, the desire to seek God and reliance on God will be wane.

 

THE LEANING HEART

When our dependence upon God is wane, actually without we realize our heart position has shifted to the other. Why? Because man cannot serve two masters! If we are not loved God more, then we will love others more. If we are not completely dependent on God, then we are certainly dependent on the other. If we do not really leaned heart to the Lord, then sooner or later we will lean to other.

“No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.” (Mathew 6:24)

Look at to Solomon. His love for his wives exceeds his love to God, until finally they could shift his heart after their gods. Whereas God had warned Solomon about it: “You must not establish friendly relations with them! If you do, they will surely shift your allegiance to their gods.” But Solomon did not obey to God because Solomon clung to these in love (Read 1 Kings 11:1-2 NET). His love that was too big on them made him no longer wholeheartedly devoted and loyal to God. SOLOMON’S HEART HAD SHIFTED!

 

CLING TO THE LORD

In order to our hearts are not shifted from God we must take care that always wholeheartedly devoted and cling to Him in any circumstances. The heart that clings to God is the heart that BOUND TIGHTLY, STICK and HOLD STRONG IN GOD. Do not waver, do not shift, and unchanged by anything!

In 1 Kings 11: 4 that we discussed above, the standard wholeheartedly devoted and cling to the Lord is LIKE DAVID. It does not mean David never fail or never fallen, but in every situation David never turned away his heart to idolatry. David DIDN’T PUT ANYTHING OR ANYONE MORE THAN GOD’S POSITION IN HIS HEART. When in distress, pursued by enemy, and when he was hailed in a victory processional, his eyes always focused on God.

O my soul, you have said to the Lord, “You are my Lord, My goodness is nothing apart from You.” And “I have set the Lord always before me; Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved.” (Psalm 16:2&8)

Like David, we need to keep careful to always cling to God. Do not let the valley of the shadow of death makes us unable to see the Lord, but also do not let the cheers of victory distract us from God. Do not let the lack make us down and away from the Lord, but also do not let the abundance makes us feel no longer entirely depend on God.

 

We have to lean our hearts to God. Do not shift at all. Do not be tired, and do not be lulled into a comfort zone because God always provides great things for us if we do not stop to follow in His footsteps. God must be the only center of joy, pride, and satisfaction beyond anything that we earn and enjoy in this world.

O my soul, you have said to the Lord, “You are my Lord, My goodness is nothing apart from You.”(Psalm 16:2)

May the strength and power of fellowship with the Holy Spirit helps us to always walk in His ways, to live in His plan, to do extraordinary things with Him until the Maranatha. Amen.

 

 

By: Sella Irene – Beautiful Words

Posted in bahasa “JANGAN BERGESER”

Photo credit (background text) :  Google Images