Jackson advocate. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1939-current, 1947-04-26

NATIONAL GLORY AND DECAY
LESSON TEXT Kings 1853: 5:13-16;
11:4-9
MEMORY SELECTTON-Trust In the
Lord with all thine heart; and lean mol
unto thine own understanding.-Pro
S:5.
Success or failure In life Is deter
mined by the measure Of a mans
devotion to God and obedience tc
the will Of God. We speak now OF
real success, not according to the
ideas of the world We are con-
cerned with what 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.
/. Wise Youth $3.50.
We use the word youth to cover
the early years of Solomon's reign.
He was now 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 1t shall be given
you He has repeated 1t three
times, saying, Ask, seek, find And
then he has returned to say. Every
one that asketh receiveth. and he
that seeketh findeth, and to him
that knocketh it shall be opened "
We have no right ito say that
Solomon was more favored than
we. We are more favored than he.
If we are not, it is because we ask
not. If we lose peace and joy, happi-
ness and heaven, 1t is all for want
of asking" Joseph HAMMOND.
The noble and intelligent choice
of Solomon has been much ad-
mired, and rightly so, for he chose
the greatest gift that could come
to any man, IAN 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 continued blight to a foolish man,
for it only extends the time of his
folly.
III. 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 govern
ment (4:1-28) together with power
full, armed forces Q0:26). 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
prospered, and his country grew in
standing and in riches.
God is interested in the men OF
this world who are gifted with
ability for mighty projects and ex-
tensive organization. The Lord is
ready to bless such men in our day,
and use their gifts and their money
for his glory (see the life story OF
Henry P. Crowell-Breakfast Table
Autocrat, published by Moody
Press).
The sad thing is that such power
Is often too much for the spirit OF
mortal man, and he becomes proud.
arrogant and self-willed-and then
God has to turn away from him.
Solomon's choice of wisdom had
pleased the Lord" Il Kings 3:10
and God had blessed him. But note
the qualifying word 'if' In verse
II. Solomon failed God In his later
years as king. The tragic results
are written for all to read. That
way none Of us should ever 60. The
lesson Is plain-faith takes blessing
from God; unbelief brings failure
and sorrow. Let everyone that
thinketh he standeth take heed lest
he fall
III. Sinful Old Age 11:4-s).
It would seem that a man who
knows the Lord should grow In
grace and become even more init
mate with Ged as he grows old. One
might expect that the passing Of
years should mellow and sweeten
life. But sad to say, 1t Is often not
the case.
When Solomon was old, he went
after false gods. How tragicl Little
wonder that one Of the saintliest
men this writer ever knew prayed
constantly as he went on into his
eighties, Lord, keep me from ever
becoming wicked old man." Other
old men and women Eyes, and all
of us) could well pray the same
prayer.
So It became necessary for God
10 wrest the kingdom out Of the