I didn’t have a pen with me at church today. I wish I did because I really wanted to take notes. This was actually a 2-parter and I missed the 1st week. (Why? Well, it had something to do with my bed and me sleeping in it. But I don’t want to get into the details.)
The title was “What Went Wrong?” and was focused on King Solomon’s life. I’ve always liked King Solomon ever since I heard the story of the two mothers. Not only was he wise, he was brave! He was incredibly wealthy. He had 700 wives and wrote Song of Solomon so he must have been quite the heart throb! But if you continue to read about Solomon, you find out his life ended in shambles–his kingdom was torn from him and God viewed him as one who’s heart was turned from Him. How sad. How could the wisest man that ever lived be so stupid?
1 Kings 11:1-11 gives us the basic outline of Solomon’s decline. Solomon decides to marry Pharaoh’s daughter. It was a good plan—it would be a political alignment and he’d get a wife! Well, God had commanded Solomon (and all His people) not to marry from foreign lands because these people worshiped false gods. He didn’t want their hearts to be turned from Him to these other gods.
I can just imagine Solomon contemplating this, “Hey, God appeared to me and gave me WISDOM!” I can handle it! Marrying an un-godly woman isn’t a big deal for me! Like I’d turn away from God!”
However, this one step is what brought Solomon down. After Pharaoh’s daughter, he married 700 other women from royal birth (meaning they were from OTHER lands/countries/people MEANING they did not worship God). He also had 300 concubines. (That doesn’t mean anything other than, HELLO! 1000 women? yikes.)
Solomon followed these women and began to worship their false gods. He put up idols and “high places” to gods like Molech, who demanded child sacrifices. God was angry with this and promised that Solomon’s kingdom would be torn from him and given to one of his subordinates. Which is what happened.
Isn’t that the most awful story ever? It sounds like one of those depressing movies where you follow a guy’s life and he trades his wife and kids and happiness for the next buck. *shudder*
The problem is that we do the same. One little decision can be pivotal to our relationship with God. We say, “It’s only one time.” OR “I can handle it.” OR “It’s no big deal.” And the next thing we know, we find ourselves a million miles from God and the blessings He has for us. And it starts with one step—one step away from God’s Wisdom is one step toward the world’s “conventional” wisdom.
If Solomon, the wisest man that ever lived can turn his back on God (“fall away from God” if you will), how much easier would it be for you and me?!
In this scenario, wise Solomon is not our example. It’s his father, King David we should look to. King David had his issues, too. He was lustful, murderous and adulterous. On the surface, his sins seem almost worse than Solomon’s! But David had 2 things that brought him back to God–accountability and a contrite heart.
Nathan, the prophet showed up and called David on the carpet when he was disobedient to God. And David listened. David was mournful of his sin. He knew something Solomon never figured out–you can always go back to God. Just like it took one decision and one step to walk away, it only takes one step to come back!
My take home from the sermon was this:
I want to be accountable to someone! I do not want to mistakenly believe “I can handle it.” I’m NOT the wisest person that ever lived. I’m not even the wisest person on my street! So, how do I find that person (those people)? How do you become accountable to them?
Do you have someone to keep you accountable? Is it an active accountability (as in do you talk to them all the time? do they really call you on the carpet? do they know you?). I’m really interested in this. What do you think?
(oh, and the 50 words or less thing? I tried it. No can do. Sorry.)
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This was a great post. Accountability is so important. Wisdom only can come from God and we need others to encourage us to keep in step during out journeys. Excellent as always
I can’t say that I have an accountability partner. And I need one. I’ve not been to church in weeks… months, actually.
I don’t have a specific “accountability” group, but I do have many close, Godly friends who are able to speak into my life whenever they wish. It works better for me than having a specific accountability partner who “asks me hard questions.” If I don’t have a relationship with that person beforehand and have a lot of respect and love for that person, I’m not going to give them open access to my life.
Yes, I have an accountability partner. I asked her about doing this about 3 years ago, and after prayer on both of our parts, we’ve been meeting ever since. While our goal is to meet every week, we just can’t do that with our busy lives. But I do talk to her often–or text her. I’ve told her what to ask me. We’ve gotten away from the interrogation, but I know that she is going to ask me what God is speaking to me and how is my relationship with Him.
I would tell you to pray about it. Ask God who He will send to you. ‘Cause He tells us to confess our sins one to another, so I know He will send the right person to hold you accountable. Another concern I had was that I didn’t want to dread seeing this person out in public because she knew all of my faults. So make that a prayer point too. Someone who will love you and lift you up no matter your weaknesses.
This will be one of the most wonderful relationships you will ever have!
I need one, too! I had a great group of girls in Scotland who used to stay on top of me about how I spend my time (a *huge* issue for me!) and other things, and I haven’t found their replacement yet here in terms of openness of relationship. Sigh…
Great post
I feel like I got two sermons today – bonus!
I think the person I feel most accountable to is Matt. I think we call each other out on things fairly often. I have a lot of Christian friends but don’t really feel like they call me out on anything.
Twitter: notdiyheather
April 22, 2008 at 5:20 pm
Every time I find a good accountability partner, we move! So I haven’t found one here yet. I’m afraid too
Oh, and you missed the first sermon because you went to Bedside Baptist, and listened to Preacher Sheets preach on Peace, while Polly Pillow played on the piano. (Like that? That was always our excuse in college!)
Our sermon at church was SO like this one. Our pastor was talking about how you should have prayer partners . . . someone to help keep you on the right path always. My friend and I were sitting by each other and she squeezed my hand. We already knew we were/are each others. She definitely keeps me accountable. I try to do the same for her.