The Omaha guide., 1947-04-26

NATIONAL GLORY AND DECAY
LESSON TEXT Kings 3:5-9: 5:l3-16;
11:4-9.
MEMORY SELECTION-Trust in the
Lord with all thine heart: and lean not
into thine own Observation-Disclosures
3:5.
Success or failure in life is deter
mined by the measure Of a mans
devotion to God and obedience to
the will Of God. We speak now Of
real success, not according to the
ideas of the world. We are on
cerned with what a man is and
what he does for God, not with what
he may happen to possess.
The life of Solomon falls into
three divisions, corresponding to
his early manhood, middle life and
old age. 1t moves from glory and
blessing to tragedy and judgment.
1. Wise Youth $3.50.
We use the word youth to cover
the early years Of Solomon's reign.
He was now a young man, but the
cody background of his rearing
and his faith in God showed in his
choice Of wisdom as Gods greatest
gift.
Sometimes we wish God would
give us such an opportunity. THAT
is just what he has done. He has
appeared to you, not in dreams, but
in broad daylight. and by his Son
Jesus Christ has said as plainly as
he could, ASK and it shall be given
you He has repeated it three
times, saying, Ask, seek. find And
then he has returned to say, Every
one that asketh receiveth, and he
that seeketh fndeth, and to him
that knocketh it shall be opened"
We have no right "to say that
Solomon was more favored than
we. We are more favored than he.
II we are not, it is because we ask
not. If we lose peace and joy. happi-
ness and heaven, it is all for want
Of asking" (Joseph HAMMOND.
The noble and intelligent choice
of Solomon has been much adj
mired, and rightly so. for he chose
the greatest gift that could come
to any man, "an understanding
heart" He might have asked for
money or power, but with the lack
Of wisdom to use them properly
they would have been a curse to
him and to others. Long life is but
a c. ltinued blight to a foolish man.
for it only tends the time OF his
folly.
II. Strong Manhood (~5:13-16).
The temple Of God which David
had wanted to build was, by Gods
own decree, built by Solomon. Such
a tremendous undertaking called
for much in the way of men and
materials, and Solomon demon
strated his great capacity as a
builder in bringing the project to a
glorious conclusion.
He also built great cities Il Kings
%9:17-19), and organized his governs
ment (4:1-28) together with power
full. armed forces (10:26). All this
required much money and man
power, which the king took by levy
from his people. AS long as he
walked in the way Of the Lord he
p%rospered, and his country grew ir
standing and in riches.
God is interested in the men oi
this world who are gifted with
ability for mighty projects and ex
tensive organization. The Lord i:
ready to bless such men in our day
and use their gifts and their money
for his glory (see the life story o.
Henry P. Crowen-Breakfast Table
Autocrat, published by Moody
Press.
The sad thing is that such power
is often too much for. the spirit O
mortal man, and he becomes proud
arrogant and self-willed-and ther
God has to turn away from him
Solomon's choice Of wisdom hae
pleased the Lord" Il Kings $40,
and God had blessed him. But note
the qualifying word "if' in verse
IA. Solomon failed God in his latel
years as king. The tragic result.
are written for all to read. Tha
way none Of us should ever 60. The
lesson is ~plain-faith takes blessing
from God; unbelief brings failure
and sorrow. Let everyone tina
thinketh he standeth take heed les
he fall.
iii. Sinful Old Age Q1:4-9).
1t would seem that a man VIII,
knows the Lord should grow il
grace and become even more init
mate with God as he grows old. Ont
might expect that the passing o
years SllOulQ LlS11OW dllQ SWGGtcI
life. But sad to say, it is often no
the case
When Solomon was old, he wen
after false gods. How tragic! Little
wonder that one of the saintlies
men this writer ever knew prayed
constantly as he went on into hi:
eighties, Lord, keep me from evel
becoming a wicked old man." Othel
old men and women Eyes, and al
of us) could well pray the sam,
prayer.
So it became 4 for Coz
to wrest the k i Of tn,
hands Of the q. ION, anC
Israel goes on to \. story Of
people divided, OF dIsobedience t.
God, and Of ultimate judgment. o
that we shall see more in the week.
just ahead.