Arkansas State press. [volume] (Little Rock, Ark.) 1941-1959, 1947-04-25

Success or failure In life Is deter
mined by the measure OF 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 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 10 tragedy and judgment
I. Wise Youth $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
% 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 II 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 ii shall be opened. +"
We have no right ito say that
Solomon was more favored than
We We are more favored than he.
II we are not, ii is because we ask
not. II we lose peace and joy, happi-
ness and heaven II is all for want
Of asking" tJoseph 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
10 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
. continued blight to foolish man,
for II only extends the time Of his
folly.
u. 0trsng Manhood (5:l3-l6).
The temple Of God which David
had wanted to build was, by Gods
own decree, built by Solomon. Such
. tremendous undertaking called
for much in the way Of men and
materials, and Solomon demon
strated his great capacity as
builder in bringing the project TO a
glorious conclusion.
He also built great cities Il Kings
e:l7-lO. and organized his govern
ment t4:l-28) together with power
ful, armed forces d0:2 6). 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
Tor his glory tsee the life story Of
Henry p. Crowell--Brcakiast Table
Autscrat. published by Moody
Press.
The sad thing is tina, such power
10 often too much for the spirit Of
mortal man. and he becomes proud.
arrogant and self.wlllcd--and then
God has to turn away from him.
Solomon's choice Of wisdom had
pleased the Lord Il Kings $40
and God had blessed him. But note
he qualifying word ''if' In verse
Il. Solomon failed God In his later
years as king The tragic results
are written for all 10 read. Tha,
way none Of US should ever so. The
lesson Is plain-faith takes blessing
from God; unbelief brings failure
and sorrow. Let everyone that
hinketh he standeth take heed lest
he fall
NJ. sinful Old Age ll.4.O.
II would seem that a man who
knows the Lord should grow In
grace and become even more iuii.
mate with God as he grows Old ono
might expect that the passing Of
years should mellow and swccter
life But sad 10 say, Il is often mol
the case.
When Solomon was old. he went
after false gods How iragicl Little
wonder that one Of The s1intlcsI
men this writer ever knew prayed
constantly as he went ON into hI
eighties. Lord. beep mc from cyeI
becoming Wicked old man " OtIci
old men and women lyes. and al
Of usl could well pray the slm,
prayer
So II became necessary for Go,
10 wrcst the kingdom out q o.,
hands Of the great Solomon. snt
Israel goes on 10 Its history OF q
people divid d. Of disobedienee tt
God. and OF ultimate judgment Oh