Divided heart

A divided heart leads to ruin. Fragmented loyalties weaken resolve. 

Consider Solomon. Wise beyond his years. Or anyone else’s.

The divine instructions are detailed. Laid out so clearly. In two recorded encounters with his Maker. (1 Kings 3 and 9)

But he fools around. 
Taking careless, measured steps. 
Away from wholehearted devotion. 

Starting well

Solomon starts off well.

Son of David. Child of “a man after God’s own heart.” Obedient.

God says he may request anything. Anything. And he asks God for wisdom. Not riches or victory or long life.

Wisdom.

And what happens? All the kings of the world seek an audience with him “to hear the wisdom God had put in his heart” (2 Chronicles 9:23).

Telling words

Solomon builds the magnificent temple of the Lord in Jerusalem. Dedicates it with sacrificial offerings. Prayer. Worship.

Kneeling with his hands toward heaven, Solomon’s prayer begins with these words. Telling words. Truth.

“Lord God of Israel,
there is no God like you
in heaven or on earth,
who keeps his gracious covenant
with your servants who walk before You
with all their heart.”
2 Chronicles 6:14

“With all their heart.” Wholehearted obedience. Oh, Solomon!

Many, many

Solomon knows full well the requirements. But rebellion is under the radar. Then out in the open. 

No one calls out the powerful and wise king. As he pursues and marries many women. Many, many women. 

The many, many turn his heart away. To their many, many gods.

And one day, there he is.
In his old age. 
Embracing idols.
Building their places of sacrifice and worship. 

Stunning reversal

The wisest man in the world. Foolish. 

His disobedience flies in the face of the Holy One’s clear instruction.

“He had commanded him about this so that he would not follow other gods, but Solomon did not do what the Lord had commanded.”
1 Kings 11:10

A stunning reversal from ceremonious promises made at the dedication of the temple in Jerusalem. 

And this revealing statement at the end of his life. “He was not wholeheartedly devoted to the Lord his God as his father David had been” (1 Kings 11:4).

Divided heart

“He had so much going for him.” 

“She started out so well.” 

Followers of Christ are not immune to the temptations of this world. Divided hearts. Competing loyalties.

Distractions dull spiritual ears. To His clear call.

“If anyone wants to follow after me, let him deny himself,
take up his cross daily, and follow me.”
Luke 9:23

Wholehearted devotion

Because of Christ, we are the temple. Of the living God. 

No massive stones overlaid in gold. 

But living stones. His people. With His Spirit indwelling us. 

And God calls us to wholehearted devotion. Laying aside whatever hinders simple, repeated obedience. To walk in full surrender. 

For our good. For His glory.

“And what agreement does the temple of God have with idols? For we are the temple of the living God, as God said:
I will dwell and walk among them, and I will be their God,
and they will be my people….
So then, dear friends, since we have these promises,
let us cleanse ourselves from every impurity of the flesh and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.”
2 Corinthians 6:16, 7:1

What about you?

Do you struggle with distractions? Is there a passage of Scripture that helps you fight against temptation and the divided heart?

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