God's Heart
June 7, 2017·Kristin Gentry
Scripture: 1 Kings 3-4, 2 Chronicles 1, and Mark 7
Mark 7:6-7 “’These people honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. They worship Me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.’ You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to human traditions.”
In 1 Kings 3-4 and 2 Chronicles 1, Solomon asks God for wisdom, so he can serve His people well. Not only is Solomon’s heart aligned with God’s desire for the people, Solomon reveres God appropriately. He knew who he was, compared to God, when he referred to himself as a child and needed God to be the source of his wisdom, if he was going to be responsible to lead a great people.
Solomon’s sacrifice was honorable. One thousand burnt offerings took considerable time to burn, resources to have, and trust that God would provide the rest of the food that His Kingdom would need after such a sacrifice. Even his traveling to Gibeon, the most important high place, to burn the offerings on the bronze altar, took a sacrifice of time and resources. Even though Solomon never asked for riches or fame, God honored him in return and gave him those things, because Solomon asked for God’s wisdom in leading these people.
If given the choice who you could be most like, Solomon or the New Testament religious leaders, who would you choose? I don’t know about you, but in comparison, I would much rather be in Solomon’s shoes than those whose “hearts are far from Him.” However, unfortunate as it may sound, I think we often get caught in the same religious trap in which the Pharisees were stuck. The “same old, same old” mode; doing things out of religious obligation, as opposed to reverence to the Holy One. I know I get stuck in a “religious rut” from time to time. Just writing that sounds ugly; but I think we can agree that we can all be guilty of that sometimes. Am I right? Also, consider the cost Solomon made in just his offering to God. I must ask myself, am willing and trusting of God to complete the task of honoring and obeying Him, no matter what it might cost me? But the truth is, when we are aligned with God’s heart and ask Him how He would lead His people (and by being one of His people, I am also asking Him how to direct myself too), the end results are going to be better than one could ever hope or dream. So, isn’t it all worth the cost in the end? Who knows what other treasures He’ll add just because He’s God and He can? Imagine the possibilities of what God can do in and through you in your circle of influence, if you can just capture HIS heart for those people first. Imagine how the community just outside of our church could look, if we aligned our hearts (and resources) with His for those He loves so dearly.
I am learning to recalibrate myself often, so I can be certain that I am hearing God’s voice and direction for my life and ministry. I don’t want to take a single step that God has not ordered for me, and I must constantly refer to Him to make sure I’m on the right track. Can I challenge each of us to follow the example of Solomon in his approach to leading others?
Father, we thank You for who You are and Your endless love for Your people. You have constantly been the source of provision for mankind throughout history. We ask for Your wisdom in leading a great people. We know that we are merely children who have been given a great responsibility. We cannot complete this task without Your constant guidance and power through Your Holy Spirit. We welcome You to have Your way in our hearts and in our lives, even if it takes sacrifice on our part. Break our hearts for Your people. Let us not forget what You have done, and let us not be hindered in dreaming of what could be. In Jesus’ name.
