HOWEVER

I had been reading in 1 Kings about how great and awesome King Solomon was. His awesomeness was so awesome that royalty from other countries came to see him, his kingdom, witness his wisdom, etc. As I read, I began to think "uh-oh when is the shoe going to drop." Everyone was bragging on him telling him how great he was; and all of his wisdom and wealth was from God. I didn't hear him stopping the well-wishers and pointing to God. I didn't hear him bragging either. Then I read it: in 1 Kings 11 verse 1 "HOWEVER." It may have well said "UH-OH!" King Solomon, however, loved many foreign women. God had specifically told him (warned him) not to marry these foreign women, because they would eventually bring their pagan gods and worship with them. Perhaps Solomon thought he was too awesome to be swayed. There is a reason God calls his people to be holy, to be separate when it comes to worship. Choose your friends wisely. Mixed marriage led to mixed worship of God and pagan gods. Verse 9 says that the LORD became angry with Solomon. Up to now, Solomon had been great. He was blessed and highly favored of God. But sadly, he fizzled out. Faithful obedience to God is key to finishing strong. God was merciful to Solomon, but He did take the kingdom away from his son. This was a classic case of "forgetting who got you there." All blessings flow from God. Live for Him who died for you and rose again. Let the blessings keep flowing. Make people say positive things about you because God can't stop blessing you for your faithful obedience. Avoid the HOWEVER!