September 22, 2021 | I Kings 14

Read 1 Kings 14

Scripture- 1 Kings 14:25-26- In the fifth year of King Rehoboam, Shishak king of Egypt attacked Jerusalem. He carried off the treasures of the temple of the Lord and the treasures of the royal palace. He took everything, including all the gold shields Solomon had made.

Observation- Under King Solomon, the people enjoyed more wealth, more peace, and more honor and glory than any other time. Five short years after he died, the Egyptians came in and looted the temple. The temple was the symbol of glory, honor, and wealth. Everything was overlaid with gold. Five years after Solomon the gold articles of the temple were replaced with bronze. Why? The people’s hearts were turned away from the Lord to idols, to wealth, and to immortality.

Application- God’s love and grace aren’t determined by earthly wealth, honor, and glory. God wants my heart. God’s love for me is so great that when my heart turns away from him to idols, he will work to bring me back. Even if that means he allows something to happen to my idols. That’s what he did with the temple because he’s not about the things, he’s about the heart. I see that most clearly in Jesus. Jesus had no wealth, no home, and probably one set of clothes. Yet, God said from heaven, “With him, I am well pleased.” Jesus’ heart was fully devoted to the Lord. Jesus did that perfectly to win back my heart that so often chases after the shiny things of this world in place of God. Because of him, I want to chase after his love and grace today. 

Prayer- Father in heaven, you don’t care about the fancy temple overlaid with gold. You care about my heart. That’s what you ultimately want, and you wanted it so badly that you sent Jesus to win it. Thank you for your love. Today, guard my heart from chasing after the shiny things of this world and keep my heart wanting you. Amen.