Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room
August 13, 2023
1 Kings 11:1-13
1 In addition to Pharaoh’s daughter, King Solomon loved many foreign women, including Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Sidonians, and Hittites. 2 These came from the nations that the LORD had commanded the Israelites about: “Don’t intermarry with them. They will definitely turn your heart toward their gods.” Solomon clung to these women in love. 3 He had seven hundred royal wives and three hundred secondary wives. They turned his heart. 4 As Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods. He wasn’t committed to the LORD his God with all his heart as was his father David. 5 Solomon followed Astarte the goddess of the Sidonians, and Milcom the detestable god of the Ammonites. 6 Solomon did what was evil in the LORD’s eyes and wasn’t completely devoted to the LORD like his father David. 7 On the hill east of Jerusalem, Solomon built a shrine to Chemosh the detestable god of Moab, and to Molech the detestable god of the Ammonites. 8 He did the same for all his foreign wives, who burned incense and sacrificed to their gods. 9 The LORD grew angry with Solomon, because his heart had turned away from being with the LORD, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice. 10 The LORD had commanded Solomon about this very thing, that he shouldn’t follow other gods. But Solomon didn’t do what the LORD commanded. 11 The LORD said to Solomon, “Because you have done all this instead of keeping my covenant and my laws that I commanded you, I will most certainly tear the kingdom from you and give it to your servant. 12 Even so, on account of your father David, I won’t do it during your lifetime. I will tear the kingdom out of your son’s hands. 13 Moreover, I won’t tear away the entire kingdom. I will give one tribe to your son on account of my servant David and on account of Jerusalem, which I have chosen.”
Good Morning; What a beautiful day to worship God!
When I read the first part of this passage, I can’t help but think that God is going to call Solomon to judgment and his consequences will be harsh. After all, Solomon is God’s anointed one, and he’s breaking the rules. This is not just a slight sin (an oops), but a massive, in-your-face sin that extends for a long period of time. When God appears in verse 11, I think, “Okay! Let’s hear the verdict.”
I am amazed by God’s mercy towards Solomon. As I sit and consider this, I am reminded of my own sins and pray that God will be merciful with me. In the New Testament, Jesus shares stories of great mercy in his teachings. One of my favorite stories of mercy is that of the Prodigal Son, who returns to his father after breaking all of the family rules and squandering his inheritance. When he is penniless and broken, he comes home and asks to be a servant in his father’s household. But his father is merciful and welcomes him with open arms. My son was lost, but now he is found.
Merciful God, We thank you! In our weakness, you make us strong. When we turn away, you wait patiently for us to return. We don’t deserve your mercy, but you give it to us freely. Thank you! In the name of Christ, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: When I’m tempted to judge, I’ll follow Jesus’ example and choose mercy.
Share God’s mercy! Pastor Liz
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