September 14th, 2012
Today’s reading from Encounter with God

Living Fully Now and Forever

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Opening Prayer

Illuminating Lord, open me to the opportunities and possibilities of this day as I go through it with You.

Read 2 Chronicles 9:13-31

[13] The weight of the gold that Solomon received yearly was 666 talents, [14] not including the revenues brought in by merchants and traders. Also all the kings of Arabia and the governors of the territories brought gold and silver to Solomon. [15] King Solomon made two hundred large shields of hammered gold; six hundred shekels of hammered gold went into each shield. [16] He also made three hundred small shields of hammered gold, with three hundred shekels of gold in each shield. The king put them in the Palace of the Forest of Lebanon. [17] Then the king made a great throne covered with ivory and overlaid with pure gold. [18] The throne had six steps, and a footstool of gold was attached to it. On both sides of the seat were armrests, with a lion standing beside each of them. [19] Twelve lions stood on the six steps, one at either end of each step. Nothing like it had ever been made for any other kingdom. [20] All King Solomon’s goblets were gold, and all the household articles in the Palace of the Forest of Lebanon were pure gold. Nothing was made of silver, because silver was considered of little value in Solomon’s day. [21] The king had a fleet of trading ships manned by Hiram’s servants. Once every three years it returned, carrying gold, silver and ivory, and apes and baboons. [22] King Solomon was greater in riches and wisdom than all the other kings of the earth. [23] All the kings of the earth sought audience with Solomon to hear the wisdom God had put in his heart. [24] Year after year, everyone who came brought a gift-articles of silver and gold, and robes, weapons and spices, and horses and mules. [25] Solomon had four thousand stalls for horses and chariots, and twelve thousand horses, which he kept in the chariot cities and also with him in Jerusalem. [26] He ruled over all the kings from the Euphrates River to the land of the Philistines, as far as the border of Egypt. [27] The king made silver as common in Jerusalem as stones, and cedar as plentiful as sycamore-fig trees in the foothills. [28] Solomon’s horses were imported from Egypt and from all other countries. [29] As for the other events of Solomon’s reign, from beginning to end, are they not written in the records of Nathan the prophet, in the prophecy of Ahijah the Shilonite and in the visions of Iddo the seer concerning Jeroboam son of Nebat? [30] Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel forty years. [31] Then he rested with his ancestors and was buried in the city of David his father. And Rehoboam his son succeeded him as king.

Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.

Meditate

“Although at times I am lonely, God’s presence and Christ’s promises help me not to feel alone when I face my family’s death…and my own” (Keith Miller).

Think Further

God had truly blessed this reign as Solomon used his God- given gift of wisdom to make Israel strong. Unfortunately, over time, Solomon became caught up in worldly affairs, married pagan women, and grew distant from God (1 Kings 11:1-13).

This is a reminder that success is a double-edged sword. In the life of the Christian, success can have a positive or negative influence. This involves more than just the economic success seen in the life of Solomon. Career accomplishments, sporting achievements, public recognition all present unique temptations. These things need to be seen as gifts from God, and used by us for his glory (Col. 3:17).  

It is interesting to note in today’s reading that the outline of Solomon’s material prosperity is followed by the announcement of his death (29-31). It is timely reminder of the transient nature of material success and the inevitable nature of death. Referred to in Scripture as, “the last enemy” (1 Cor. 15:26), it is a reality check to us that no one, however strong-willed and defiant, no matter how stoical or wise, can wrest the final victory from its hands. Our only hope is in God, who did not remove this last vestige of sin, but through the Person and Work of his Son Jesus Christ, overcame it for us (1 Cor. 15:57).

I am constantly drawn to Paul’s memorable and magnificent words, “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain” (Phil. 1:21). This outlines the philosophy of life of a person who is attempting to live fully in the now but who also has the hope of eternal life following death. This is the gift Jesus gives us: to be fully alive now so that we can be the very best we can for him in life and enjoy the promise of being with him forever (John 14:1-4).

Apply

Is worldly success your highest aim? Do something today to curb your appetite for worldly success so you can be content with what you have.

Closing prayer

Father, I know I should be marching to Your drumbeat, not that of the world. Today, I want to live in the world but not to be of it.

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