1 Kings 11:6 – And Solomon did evil in the sight of the LORD, and went not fully after the LORD, as did David his father.
“…Solomon exceeded all the kings of the earth fro riches and for wisdom” (1 Kings 10:23). But something went wrong. It wasn’t that he didn’t follow the Lord, but that he didn’t follow Him “fully.” And so history records that “Solomon did evil…”
Our purpose is clear in scripture. We are to follow the Lord. It is a command. Jesus said many times, “Follow me.” Regrettably many Christians live like the Lord is supposed to follow them. They do what they want to do and then think the Lord should bless them anyway and assist them in their plans and dreams.
We have been given several patterns for following the Lord. King David is one. Although we should avoid David’s outward sins, we should nonetheless follow his heart. He loved the Lord and not once did he ever turn and worship false gods. He said:
“God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is…My soul followeth hard after thee…” (Psalm 63)
Caleb is also a pattern for us because he fully followed the Lord. He wasn’t half-hearted. He went against the crowd to please the Lord. And he did this year after year.
Our problem in following the Lord is much like Solomon’s. He compromised his convictions (vs. 2). He didn’t take the commands of God seriously and multiplied wives, horses, and money which was specifically forbidden (Deut. 17:16-19). He did this for political expedience (by marrying “princesses” (vs. 3) and personal expedience. He could get away with it, so he did it.
The Lord doesn’t force any of His children to follow Him. Our possibilities are before us. Follow the Lord and please Him, or follow someone else. What will history record about you?
