Tuesday, May 2, 2017

FROM WISDOM TO FOOLISHNESS

Today’s 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 day 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.

In the world of the ancient kings, the most common way of confirming treaties was through marriage. Solomon, in his old age, became the master of this practice. Most often these arrangements had nothing to do with what we would consider emotional or sexual bonding, expressed in love as we understand married love.
We cannot help but notice the creeping progression of the disobedience of Solomon to the God of his father, David. Yes, Solomon had wisdom, but if obedience to God is not the wellspring of wisdom, it becomes the wisdom of the human mind alone. The Apostle Paul, a brilliant academic, schooled in Hebrew learning as well as the learning of the Greek/Roman university city of Tarsus, throws light on this matter of wisdom (see 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 to read Paul’s take on wisdom). In 1 Corinthians 3:19 Paul comes back to “wisdom” again and tells us that “The wisdom of this world is foolishness with God.” Therefore, the things that often appear as foolish to the world around us are actually the “wisdom” of God. Take for example the last statement of 1 Corinthians 3:18-23, “…things present or things to come — all are yours, and you are Christ’s and Christ is God’s.” Now, that is “WISDOM.”

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, 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 undergraduate theology by Dr. Peter Wiseman, who, during the early years of the People’s Church, Toronto, was the Bible teacher of choice every Sunday morning. Founding Pastor, Oswald J. Smith, felt that his own main gift in ministry was in preaching Sunday evening soul-winning messages of evangelism. My Dad earned a doctorate, and to the day of his death (I’ve already lived more than four years longer than he did), he poured over the Scriptures, constantly reading, meditating, 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 control over 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 asked my missionary/photographer son 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. The photos are below.

12 thoughts on “Tuesday, May 2, 2017

  1. Let us glory in the Lord, amen! Wonderful photos of your father’s Bible, David. Reynold must feel so special to have it. Praise God through whom all blessings flow. Have a wonderful day, fellow saints in the Lord!

    “so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love,” He will be like a tree planted by the water, that sends out its roots by the river. It will not be afraid when the heat comes but its leaves will be green. It will not be troubled in a dry year, or stop giving fruit.
    Ephesians 3:17 ESV

    Gaither Vocal Band – Sometimes It Takes A Mountain (Live) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-24kkrKp1Y

  2. Update on Marc: his body is accepting the liver very well; his colour has increased considerably; looking pink compared to the gray he had become. He is feeling stronger and happier and was moved from ICU to the transplant unit where he will be for the next two weeks followed by two weeks out-patient. Beth thanks everyone for their prayers and support for Marc, as do I. Beth is one of my oldest friends; we met when I was 6 years old and she was 5.

    • That you Beverlv for your update on Marc. Praise The Lord Almighty for His mercies and healing power.
      I pray that He will continue to heal Marc’s body and that it will be a winess to many. I pray that He will be with your dear friend Beth as she is by Marc’s side, That He will give her strength and encouragement and hope for the future. Anen.

    • Praise God for His intervention and healing for Marc…I pray for complete and quick recovery! Thank you Beverlee for the good news!!

  3. Praise God for Marc’s successful surgery and prayers for his recovery. I would also like to pray for the donor’s family who had lost a loved one and that Marc could have a new liver. I pray comfort all around.

    Thank you once again Pastor David for sharing your memories with us, all so very precious and special. Praying for continued strength for you.

    Thank you too Beverlee for your posts and live and prayers for all today.

    • Amen, Catherine–for the donor’s family. Praise God the gift of that person’s liver would give continued life to Marc. Thank you to that individual’s family! A reminder for everyone to have their donor cards done; mine certainly is. My dear sister, Laura, who passed twenty years ago from cancer, donated her eyes. Amen!

  4. Amen to all answered prayers for Marc and to all prayers prayed on this blog. Yes, Solomon bears a sad commentary on his life and a warning to us today. This blog helps to keep us on track and thinking God thoughts, not the foolishness of the world. Thank you again Pastor David and family. Help us Lord to be faithful and overcome temptation in our lives. Joined in yesterday online with more prayers in the opening of a new church in Bulgaria. The Lord said He would fill all the earth with His glory, did He not? Took note of your father’s Bible, pastor David, your comments and prayers. Blessings on all today.

  5. Thank you Pastor David for the photos of your Dad’s bible. Thank you Reynold for the special photo’s you shared of your Grand-Father’s Bible…what a precious treasure and keep-sake you have received!!
    Pastor Ron thank you for your faithfulness in continuing to post the vlog…I believe you would love to have your Dad with you!

  6. TY Lord for looking after Marc! TY for all the efficient staff that You provided! TY Lord that Marc will return home and live a very happy productive life, giving You Lord all the praise and glory!
    I miss out because of times I post!

    please pray for financial breakthrough for me!
    Matthew 18:19-20 and Luke 6:38; pray in Jesus Name amen

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