FROM WISDOM TO FOOLISHNESS
Suggested Reading: 1 Kings 11
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
On the right are ruins of a corridor in Pergamum, in ancient Asia Minor, modern turkey. In the centre, idol worship took place at the Temple of Athena. In the world of King Solomon and his many wives, idol worship was the normal religious practice.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: 1 Kings 11:4
For it was so, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned his heart after other gods; and his heart was not loyal to the Lord his God, as was the heart of his father David.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord Jesus, in You “are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” I pray that I will continue to discover this hidden treasure. I’m reading, marking, memorizing Your treasure map, the Bible, every day. The cross marks the spot where You, Lord God, intersected with the human race. I may be here in one spot, but by faith I travel to Calvary, to the empty tomb, to the place of Your ascension, and on into Your very presence where “You ever live to make intercession for me” (Hebrews 7:25). Thank You that I am discovering Your wisdom. Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
God willing, I plan to meet Solomon again when we arrive in our two-year through the Bible voyage of discovery at the book of 1st Chronicles, and then again in Proverbs. In fact, as I leave Solomon for now, I’ve just read Proverbs, chapters 1-3. Solomon wrote or assembled most of the Proverbs during those early years when he practised what he preached. My son, David Reynold Mainse, has my Dad’s old Bible as a treasure. Its words are underlined, commented on in the margins, marked by a caressing hand and sometimes tear drops. My most persistent memory of my mother, who died when I was 12, is of her kneeling in prayer for long periods of time. The picture that comes to mind of my Dad most often is of him sitting in his chair, his Bible open on his lap. He was schooled in theology by Dr. Peter Wiseman, who, during the early years of the People’s Church, Toronto, was the preacher of choice every Sunday morning of Oswald J. Smith, the Pastor, who felt his main gifts in ministry were in preaching Sunday night soul-winning messages of evangelism. My Dad earned a doctorate and knew the Scriptures in the original languages, but to the day of his death (I’ve already lived six months longer that he did), he poured over the Scriptures, constantly reading, meditating, and inwardly digesting what he read, and praying for God’s wisdom to fill his mind. Dad was outside shovelling snow when he laid aside his winter coat and donned his heavenly robe. If I had the say about my time to go, I’d like to be reading the Gospels in the middle of one of Jesus’ statements and finish His sentence by memory as I take off for the celestial city.
Yours for wisdom, and grace to obey God,
David
P.S. I’ve just hung up the phone from a call to my photographer son, asking him to take some pictures of my dad’s Bible, of both the outside and inside of the verse mentioned earlier, 1st Corinthians 3:21-23. They should show up just below here.
Poignantly beautiful, David! The Holy Bible is indeed, the treasure map of Jesus! Your choice of scriptures accompanying Kings 11; photos of your father’s open bible; and prayer reveal God’s wisdom and knowledge of the true and dedicated believer. God willing, fine Sir!
Poor Solomon, a fool like his father, David, to indulge in lusting after women and begin worshiping their gods; to be swayed away from once having been faithful to serving his God; after building the incredible temple in honour and dedication to his God; and all the beautiful psalms he wrote in reverence to his God. Dumbfounding is the only word that comes to mind. Surely this serves as an example for us not to follow the ways of man and be led away by temptations but to keep our eyes, hearts, bodies and minds only in the righteous ways of our Lord. Thank you David Mainse, for being a true example for us to follow–oh good and faithful servant! Just like Jesus!
Wishing fellow saints a splendid day!
It is striking how in one chapter, King Solomon falls in disgrace. Though the process was gradual, yet I wonder, how distinguishable it was to Solomon?Everything fell apart, as his focus and relationship with our Lord was diminished and redirected. I pray your prayer for wisdom. 2 Timothy 4:7 “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” May we hold steady in our relationship with Christ by the power of His Holy Spirit. Amen!
I happened into a small church yesterday and noticed a similar well-worn Bible tucked away under a shelf, obviously someone had left it behind. David, your father’s Bible which you’ve shown us today, reminded me very much of this Bible. As I held it in my hands and leafed through it’s underlined and dog-eared pages, I was saddened that this Bible had become parted from it’s owner. There were many scriptural notes in this Bible on small pieces and sometimes folded pieces of paper. I imagined a very wise and learned owner, someone schooled in and who treasured the immense wealth that the Word of God had provided for him or her. Perhaps the Bible belonged to a renowned Preacher of the Word or perhaps to an elderly grandmother who raised up her children and grandchildren and taught them verses from this very Bible. My imagination can only get carried away, for I don’t know if it really matters who owned this Bible, it was obviously used and treasured by someone who had a love for Scripture and a love for the Lord. The point is, I learned a lesson. I thought to myself, do I have such a passion for God’s Word that I’m willing to meticulously immerse myself and learn the heart of God through His Word daily? It’s all about relationship, it’ all about knowing the heart and mind of God and becoming more like Him day by day.
David, your father’s Bible will be treasured for generations to come, just as yours will, I’m sure of this! God bless everyone, have a great day!
Amen your fathers bible will be a treasure my grandfather was a minister
,and my mom has his huge Bible I think its a King James its to hard to read
she is not is not a christian hopefully she will become one in time
Lianne Hogg
Thanks for sharing Lianne I will be praying for your mom.
What a sad chapter in the life of Solomon. Well said, David M, Beverlee, David, Scott, Lianne(those preceding me on this blog). Went out yesterday so say today, “Thank You David for the invite to Israel with the other fellow bloggers”. I am praying about that and that also depends on my health but you are a good example of one who keeps going no matter what, David. Yet a lot depends on my test coming up. Could identify with your desires for the journey, Beverlee and it is a milestone birthday for me this year as well. The Lord promised to give us the desires of our heart. It is hard to understand that Solomon with the God given wisdom expressed in the Proverbs could turn away from God so badly. However it probably was gradual as he reigned 40 years like his father David and Samson. Glad you are back in Burlington, David and Norma-Jean close to many opportunities in the future. Another lovely sunny day in the Maritimes. Blessings everyone.
Thankyou David for todays blog. It truly is an inspired writing given, I belive to you by Jesus Holy Spirit. I look forward every day for your words from the Lord. May Jesus continue to inspire all of us blogers.
Amen
Hi David, Everything we read today was marvelous! It is a great example given the account of the failure of Solomon’s devotion and loyalty to our Lord that we must continually press in with God. We cannot think that we don’t need hm because we have already done enough! My neighbour once told me she was taking a vacation from God! l love that you say David you would like to be called home while reading the bible. My dear friend who was in her 80’s died while reciting the 23rd Psalm! What a way to go! Another friend said when he died he wanted to fall face down into a plate of french fries, because after his heart attacks, he was scolded for craving them! Personally, l think you have got it right!
Sorry about that,my friend was actually listeneing to someone singing the Lord’s Prayer and at the end joined them in the A-Men, Amen part, then she left for Heaven. The 23rd Psalm was her favourite, that’s why l got mixed up on the story.
It is sad to think Solomon did not finish the race well and how our flesh can turn us quickly from The Lord’s path for each of us.
However, it is wonderful to have a godly heritage. Our family too have our parent’s old bibles ( mom and dad’s) all well marked!! They are more treasure to us than everything else in the estate. My husband and I are happy to share what their lives reflected and that Jesus and the Word should be a guide to our children and 8 grandchildren.
My sister died 24 years ago at the age of 37. One night I was very upset and she said, Cathy, I’ve found Christ.(Since then so have I). I’m looking at the Bible we read together during her last months right now and inside there is a paper which I haven’t seen in years. On it she had written: Get saved. Tell Cathy. Romans Ch. 10 vs.9.. amongst other Scripture references. Then she wrote: Claim promises, walk in obedience.
I , (Cathy), love God. “Praise the Lord, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise His holy name. Praise the Lord and forget not his benefits” Psalm 103 vs. 1-2
That is my prayer also Catherine that my childern ,grndchildren, and gr.
grand children , would all be in Jesus Arms some day, that is my ernest
prayer day after day….R…
Dear David and fellow bloggers
Like Rosemarie I also pray diligentely for my children and God willing upcoming grand childern in the near future because my son Richard will be the first one of my two chidren getting married on November 16th 2013 .I actually pray for the Lord to be The Guest of Honour in any which way He can for sadly all my family for now have not surrendered thier life to Jesus .
Will be keeping all my fellow bloggers in prayers to have the oppurtunity , the health to join you David and Norma – Jeans in this wonderful trip.
Have a glorious day in Jesus name Amen.
Hi Carole, thanks for your comments, I will keep your family in my prayers.
Thanks be unto God for His wonderful gift:
Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God
is the object of our faith; the only faith
that saves is faith in Him.
Nancy
Thank your David for your commitment in sharing God’s Word and fellow bloggers for your insights. I would ask prayer for my father-in-law who is not well and to my knowledge doesn’t know the Lord, Thank you.
I don’t know if this will help– although your father-in-law doesn’t know the Lord; the Lord knows him. May that truth give you hope.
Thanks Donna your words do help.
I loved the portion in your dads Bible, I have my dad’s Bible, he has not underlined a lot in it but I treasure it. He lived till 94 years of age and I miss him a lot, sometimes which I could talk to him just for a few minutes, but I will have to wait and dwell on good memories