Is that even possible to turn away from God? Can a true follower of Christ turn away after they see the blessings of God in their lives? Yes, it happens all the time, unfortunately.
“Solomon grew old, he and his wives, (all 700 of them, plus numerous concubines), turned his heart after other gods and his heart was not fully devoted to the Lord His God, as the heart of David his father had been.” (1 Kings 11: 4) He turned away, even after he was warned.
“Solomon did evil in the eyes of the Lord; he did not follow the Lord completely, as David his father had done.” (1 Kings 11: 6)
- Until we realize that the Lord completes us, we will not completely follow Him.
- This is why He wants our whole heart, not half of it.
Solomon went as far as to build a high place for other gods where he and his wives could worship and offer incense to them. God was not happy with this!
He speaks to Solomon saying, “Since this is your attitude and you have not kept My covenant and My decrees, which I commanded you, I will most certainly tear the kingdom away from you and give it to one of your subordinates.” (1 Kings 11: 11)
- A good attitude means everything.
However, for the sake of his father, David, God promised he will not do this in Solomon’s lifetime. He will tear the kingdom out of the hand of his son, leaving him with only one tribe, all for the sake of David, His servant; and all for the sake of Jerusalem which God has chosen.
- Our sins can affect the generations after us.
Solomon reaps the effects of his idol worship. God raises up enemies against him. Yes, even one of his officials, Jeroboam, rebels against King Solomon, as well. Solomon tried to kill Jeroboam, but he flees to Egypt and stayed there until Solomon’s death.
God promises that one day He will give Jeroboam His kingdom. Soon after, Solomon dies and his son, Rehoboam, succeeds him as king. So when will Jeroboam reign? He has a promise from God.
- When we think a promise of God is dead, God resurrects it in His timing.
- Await God’s timing. He hasn’t forgotten you. (Shared from 1 Kings 11, Modified)
Jesus is on the cross, fulfilling the promise for mankind, and being mocked by those passing by. They are saying, “He saved others, but He can’t save Himself!” (Mark 15: 31)
- An appointed time awaits resurrection day.
Preparation Day is fast approaching, so Joseph of Arimathea goes to Pilate and asks for the body of the crucified Jesus. He brings linen and cloth, takes down his body, wraps Jesus in the linen, and places Him in the tomb.
Joseph’s heart was turned toward His Jesus.
(Shared from Mark 15: 21-47, Modified)
Hosea speaks against idolatry, saying, “They sin more and more; they make idols for themselves from their silver, cleverly fashioned images, all of them the work of craftsmen.” (Hosea 13: 2)
He continues in God’s declaration, “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt. You shall acknowledge no God but Me, no Savior except Me.” (Hosea 13: 4) God is serious about being first in our lives!
Where are our hearts? Are we turned toward the Lord, fully, following Him, or are our hearts after other idols? In Biblical days, they worshipped idols. Even today, some are still worshipping images carved.
An idol is anything that is greatly admired, loved, or revered. A person could be an idol, a position, a title, a financial status, or even just money. Anything or anyone that takes the place of God can be an idol.
It’s not wrong to love or show allegiance to someone, but to what depth do we do so? Idolizing someone is very easy to slip into without being aware of it. Even ministers can be put in a place of being exalted. That place of exaltation is only for our God!
Maybe that’s why we are told to give our hearts to Jesus. Giving our hearts to another denotes loyalty. “Since then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not earthly things.” (Colossians 3: 1-2)
- We as Christ-followers are positioned in Him and for Him.
Our hearts are turned toward Him. When we give Him our hearts, we give Him our lives.
(Shared from Hosea 13, Modified)
UNBROKEN LOVE SERIES
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