October 5-9, 2009

So the Lord said to Solomon, “Because you have done this, and you have not kept My covenant and My statutes, which I have commanded you, I will surely tear the kingdom from you, and will give it to your servant. … However, I will not tear away all the kingdom, but I will give one tribe to your son for the sake of My servant David and for the sake of Jerusalem which I have chosen.”
I Kings 11:11 & 13


This week our journey takes us to a fork in the road. We have been walking the road of life with Solomon for the last couple weeks and seen the life of a man who started the race well, but ended it tragically. We find a man who knows how to give good advice, but doesn’t know how to life what he preaches! Hopefully, Solomon’s concluding words in Ecclesiastes were spoken as he neared the end of his road of life and was truly remorseful for the direction he had taken.

The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person. Because God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil. Ecclesiastes 12:13-14

If we have no goal, then how will we know which road we should be taking? After a lifetime of searching for the meaning of life, Solomon came to realize that someday, we will all stand before God, and life should be lived with that eternal view!

On Tuesday we come to the great divide in the road. One road is built on the foundation of the folly of youth, while the other is built on the passion for power. Solomon’s son Rehoboam was out of touch with the people and was enjoying the lap of luxury at their expense. Obviously, his contemporaries held his same values. Words of those who had lived longer and gained some wisdom and experience held no weight in the minds of youthful ambition. Some things never change!

Our introduction to Jeroboam starts off on a positive note, but quickly turns to custard! We hear God’s plan and promise for him and his family. But it doesn’t take Jeroboam long to doubt God’s ability and his fears drive him to take matters into his own hands. Have you ever notice how some roads can look so much like others that you have traveled before?

Wednesday’s journey brings about a sober reminder that those who are called into ministry incur a stricter judgment! All I can say is, “Thank God for His mercy and grace!!!!!”

Rather than walk one road or the other, our journey will be the highway that is able to see both roads at the same time. On Thursday we see a demonstration of God’s tenderness and His tremendous ability to forgive. Rehoboam’s repentance is quickly met with God’s mercy. But we also see that forgiveness doesn’t always wipe away all consequences!

We find that the road of the kings’ is filled with hills and valleys. It is also like the freeways of Detroit that deteriorate quickly and are constantly in need of repair!!! Just about the time one king makes road improvements, another king comes and tears them up. Patching potholes will only last for a time. The only repair that will last is tearing up the road and laying the foundation all over again!

We also are reminded that speaking the word of God is often not what people want to hear and carries great repercussions.

We will be following these two roads for a while. There is lots of drama along the way, and times you will need to know what is happening on both roads simultaneously. So get out your binoculars, keep a pencil and some paper handy and let’s get going!