Ups and downs

In my BSF class, we're studying the History of Israel and the Minor Prophets. We just finished reading the life of Solomon--and oh, how sad that he had so much potential, wealth and wisdom and turned from the God who gave it to him to worship the gods of his foreign wives.

He prayed such a beautiful prayer at the dedication of the magnificent temple--and seemed to have his whole heart turned to God. He wrote such beautiful proverbs--and then Ecclesiastes, which is full of the meaningless of life.

So, his kingdom was taken from him, but not in his lifetime, for the sake of his father David--who had his up and down moments to be sure. I'd like to think that Solomon realized at the end of his life the mistakes he made and turned back to God--perhaps in his turning he looked at the worldly goods and realized they were meaningless as he writes about in Ecclesiastes. But he knew the true God, the author of wisdom, and did leave wonderful words of advice for us in the book of Proverbs.

So, the story continues--in the Bible, in our lives. We turn to God in humble repentance, he forgives--we sin again, come to him, and he accepts us once again. Thank you, Lord, for your forgiving heart and your open arms.

Till next time,

Suzi