Solomon shows we fall short

Last eve's bible study was on 1 Kings 11 (click the title above).
We learned that God had given Solomon a wise heart - at S's request. A thinking, willing, feeling centre... but as his years numbered and he became older, bit by bit, it was his heart that let him down. He had not only the Pharoe's daughter as a wife - but hundreds of others, who worshipped foreign Gods - and they persuaded Solomon to do the same. You will see 'hearts'mentioned in this first section - five times! Mark 7 - 21-23 says out of the heart comes 'evil from within'.. When we get older in our years, can't we just coast a little in life? - Haven't we learned things from our youth - can't we pass the batton? No old age brings even more challenges that we have ever faced! (This was a main point of our video from Dale Ralph Davies at Keswick last year). We face loss of health, spouse, cancer and death... Older people need ministry of God's people - They need prayer and care. Solomon turned away his heart - then his heart turned away from the Lord.... And Solomon had encountered God twice - in Chapter 3 of Kings 1 4-15 and Chapter 8 1-9 - when God said to Solomon: "Be faithful." This point is that all along God new what Solomon was going to do... and even this priviledged relationship, the intimate experience with God didn't guarantee the pure devotional relationship to God.
So what can we rely on? Well, in God's plan, He was setting the scene for the world - that through David (Solomon's father), - through David's line, would come a King, Jesus, who would be an atonement for ALL. God had this royal person in His sights, PLUS an atoning place - Jerusalem that was to come years later.. Jesus would fulfill the prophesies and overcome death and be the perfect sacrificial lamb. This is the anchor of our faith. Man has and had no power to overcome God's plan. God's promises remain! Jesus is waiting for you. He wants none to perish, but He also says that the gate is narrow and not all will find salvation. You WILL find it IF you look with all your heart, soul, body, mind - everything because Jesus is a jelous God and wants all of you. And He offers you santification for your sins. Don't listen to your feelings - and think - oh this is scary! - that is only a distraction - Satan saying beware, but don't listen to this! Repent, to the Lord, God, and know Him. Keep him close - because there's a lion that prowls.... Keep to his word (the bible), Keep praying - ceaselessly.

And you will experience joy like you never have before - and that experience will give you strength to go on and shelter under his wing, and bare the lighter yoke that the Lord offers.

"Watch you therefore, and pray, always that you may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man." - Luke 21 v. 36.
There is nothing to fear when the Lord is here.