O
THE
vercoming
How Did I Ever Get Here?
SERIES
‘KEEP THE CHARGE OF THE LORD YOUR GOD ... THAT YOU MAY ...
PROSPER IN ALL THAT YOU DO’ 1 KINGS 2:3.
First, a king’s dying words to his son, Solomon: ‘I go the way of all the earth ... Keep
the charge of the Lord your God ... that you may ... prosper ...’ (1 Kings 2:2-3 Amp).
Then a funeral, and the son’s coronation. Next, Solomon prays for ‘an understanding
heart’ (1Kings 3:9) God is so pleased that He says, ‘I have also given you what you
Lord today I pray that
have not asked, both riches and honour ...’ (1 Kings 3:13 Amp). What could possibly
I start moving away
go wrong? Everything! Here’s why:
from the actions in my
1) Solomon put a priority on possessions. He made almost £2.6 billion a year - most of
life where I benefit
it from forced labour - and kept it all for himself.
from another
2) He put a priority on pleasure. He ‘loved many foreign women’ (1 Kings 11:1 Amp).
persons mis-fortune
Inexorably, they enticed him into worshipping their gods and building temples to
or gain from another
honour them. What started as a king’s right to pursue pleasure turned into an outright
persons unnecessary
act of rebellion against God.
effort. For the times
3) He put a priority on power. Listen: ‘Solomon had forty thousand stalls of horses for
Lord, where I have
his chariots and twelve thousand horsemen’ (1 Kings 4:26). It’s not that God doesn’t
made money from
like horses - He doesn’t want us depending on our own strength. Read Solomon’s
deceit or lying, forgive
writings - especially the Book of Ecclesiastes. Much of what he says can be distilled
me. Lord help me take
into one question - ‘How did I ever get here?’ Tragically, he went so far that he was
a righteous path that
never able to fi nd his way back. How can you avoid that? By keeping ‘the charge of the
all may know I am a
person of integrity and
Lord your God ... that you may ... prosper in all you do.’
not a person that preys
on others for
Look to God
personal gain.
‘MY GOD SHALL SUPPLY ALL YOUR NEED’
PHILIPPIANS 4:19.
There’s a big difference between your wants and your needs. Your desires come from
many different sources. Some come from your peers and friends, others from your age
and stage in life. Something as inanimate as a television set can actually infl uence
I pray Lord that I could
what you think you need.
find contentment in
Amidst all these infl uences, God will not grant you everything you request. A good
the situation I am in.
Lord let my hopes
father doesn’t give in to his child’s every whim. No, he carefully considers what they
and dreams flow out
need; then decides what’s best for them and when they’re ready for it. This means
of an overwhelming
growing up! It means understanding and accepting that if God doesn’t grant it, you
desire for You, let my
don’t need it - at least not yet! If it were a genuine need He’d have supplied it already.
aspirations in life
Anytime there’s a discrepancy between what you think you need and what’s actually
come from a source
being supplied - trust God, and thank Him for knowing what’s best. Remember,
of contentment that
you’re to prosper and be in health - ‘as your soul prospers’ (3 John:2 NKJ). If you’re
where ever I am I
not growing spiritually, that should be your primary concern! Every other supply will
will be able to say I
fl ow ‘as your soul prospers’ (3 John:2 NKJ). That’s why it’s so important to maintain a
sought Your Kingdom
healthy heart towards God; for what would it profi t if you gained the whole world and
first and from there
lost your soul? (Mark 8:36). Don’t stress out, burn out, become jealous, or strive for
Lord, You blessed me.
things. Keep your head in the right place. Seek His kingdom fi rst, and all these things,
Amen.
whatever they are, will be added to you (Matthew 6:33).
God guarantees it!
22
page22-23.indd 2 27/7/09 10:11:44
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36