Morning Devotion: Read Proverbs
Proverbs 31:3 Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.
Bathsheba had given king Solomon advice concerning priorities in life. She would be the one to know about giving strength to women.
Solomon took the time to record what Bathsheba said in this proverb. He knew.
In this case the strength spoken about is ones substance and time and priority.
We know that Solomon did not take this advice to seriously in that Solomon had many women in his life all of which turned his heart away from the Lord.
1Kings 11:1 But king Solomon loved many strange women, together with the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Zidonians, and Hittites; 2 Of the nations concerning which the LORD said unto the children of Israel, Ye shall not go in to them, neither shall they come in unto you: for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods: Solomon clave unto these in love. 3 And he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines: and his wives turned away his heart.
Proverbs 31:3 Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.
The Lord had appeared to Solomon twice and had spoken directly to him. He had a great relationship with the Lord and yet, when his priorities changed and he gave his substance to others, he suffered.
1Kings 3:5 In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee.
1Kings 9:2 That the LORD appeared to Solomon the second time, as he had appeared unto him at Gibeon.
1Kings 11:9 And the LORD was angry with Solomon, because his heart was turned from the LORD God of Israel, which had appeared unto him twice,
As a result of turning from the Lord, he lost the kingdom for his posterity.
1Kings 11:10 And had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not go after other gods: but he kept not that which the LORD commanded. 11 Wherefore the LORD said unto Solomon, Forasmuch as this is done of thee, and thou hast not kept my covenant and my statutes, which I have commanded thee, I will surely rend the kingdom from thee, and will give it to thy servant.
I am reminded of a basic principle given by God in Proverbs chapter four.
Proverbs 4:23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.
Make the Lord your priority, set your affection on Him.
Colossians 3:1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
When the Lord is your first priority, you will rarely waste your substance on the wrong things.
The choice is still yours,
Pastor Cook
