The difference between what you need and want

Today: 1 Kings 12-14

There's sometimes a difference between what you need and what you want.

Tomorrow is Monday and I'd personally LOVE to sleep in. I'd love to have an extra day to clean house, watch a movie or go out with my friends. But I need a paycheck. And there are people counting on me to show up at work tomorrow--so I should follow through, despite what I want (at the most basic level, anyway).

When it comes to advice, there can definitely be a difference between what you need to hear and what you want to hear. I thought a story in today's passage really illustrated this. Take a look at this part of the passage when the people of Israel approached their new king, Solomon's son Rehoboam:

They said to Rehoboam,

"Your father made life hard for us—worked our fingers to the bone.

Give us a break; lighten up on us and we'll willingly serve you."
"Give me three days to think it over, then come back," Rehoboam said.
King Rehoboam talked it over with the elders

who had advised his father when he was alive:

"What's your counsel? How do you suggest that I answer the people?"
They said, "If you will be a servant to this people,

be considerate of their needs and respond with compassion,

work things out with them, they'll end up doing anything for you."
But he rejected the counsel of the elders

and asked the young men he'd grown up with

who were now currying his favor,

"What do you think?

What should I say to these people who are saying,

'Give us a break from your father's harsh ways—lighten up on us'?"
The young turks he'd grown up with said,

"These people who complain, 'Your father was too hard on us; lighten up'—

well, tell them this: 'My little finger is thicker than my father's waist.

If you think life under my father was hard, you haven't seen the half of it.

My father thrashed you with whips; I'll beat you bloody with chains!'"
Three days later Jeroboam and the people showed up...

The king's answer was harsh and rude.

He spurned the counsel of the elders

and went with the advice of the younger set...

A few interesting things about this passage:

• Rehoboam was the son of Solomon--one of the wisest people to ever live. As such, I think that Rehoboam probably knew what wisdom sounded like.
  
• Rehoboam first sought out the counsel of trusted advisers who helped his father rule the kingdom. These guys had experience and credibility. They spoke the truth--but Rehoboam rejected it.
  
• When he didn't get the advice he wanted, he turned to his posse of pleasers--people who cared more about getting an "in" with the king than they cared about doing the right thing.

This passage interested me because in our world, I think it's easy for people to find the advice and instruction they want to hear. There are so many schools, churches, politicians, "news" programs and Web sites to choose from--you can find those that fit exactly what you want, exactly what you're looking for. But ask yourself: Is that really what you need?

In some cases, maybe it is. But be careful if you find yourself reading, watching, and listening only to those who are exactly like you--particularly if there's something in your heart that doesn't feel right about it and the advice you're getting is contrary to what's in the Bible (the whole Bible).

Speaking of, if you're really interested in making wise decisions or going after God's purpose for your life, it helps to know what wise people--or better yet, God (as wisdom itself!) has to say. Surround yourself with such people and better yet, read the Bible yourself.

But even if you have wise people in your life and read the Bible for yourself, you will have moments when you don't want to follow what they have to say. You're human. In those moments, I hope that you (and I) will learn a lesson from Rehoboam. I hope that instead of seeking out advice that tells you what you want to hear and what's easy to do, that you'll realize exactly what you need. I hope you'll make a conscious choice to do the right thing (even if it's not easy) and listen to that inner voice in your heart. It might just be God talking to you.

Tomorrow: 1 Kings 15-17

Famous people

Today: 1 Kings 10-11

Today I had an actual brush with fame. Seriously. I stood in line with a few friends to try and meet a star from one of my FAVORITE shows as a preteen. That's right, ladies and gentlemen--it was Mario Lopez from "Saved by the Bell."

The line snaked around a store entrance. When Mario arrived, grown women (not me or my friends--in case you were wondering) started shrieking and screaming like little girls at the mall waiting to see Hannah Montana.

The line was SO LONG that my friends and I gave up after an hour and a half of waiting (he did walk right by us, shook my friend's hand and patted her baby's head). We like Mario and everything, but we were mostly there to meet an icon from our childhood memories...and get a picture to make our Facebook friends jealous. :)

I thought about my brush with a famous person as I read today's passage about Solomon and his fame. Mario (as cool as he is) is best known for a TV show (or two...or three), a mullet and a great smile. Mario's fans have heard about him through TV and the Internet. But Solomon? He was famous well before modern technology. Solomon was famous through word of mouth. But don't take my word for it--let's re-read portions of this passage:

The queen of Sheba heard about Solomon

and his connection with the Name of God.

She came to put his reputation to the test by asking tough questions...

She came to Solomon and talked about all the things that she cared about,

emptying her heart to him.

Solomon answered everything she put to him—

nothing stumped him.

When the queen of Sheba experienced for herself

Solomon's wisdom...

it took her breath away.
She said to the king, "It's all true!

Your reputation for accomplishment and wisdom

that reached all the way to my country is confirmed.

I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen it for myself;

they didn't exaggerate!

Such wisdom and elegance—

far more than I could ever have imagined.

Lucky the men and women who work for you,

getting to be around you every day

and hear your wise words firsthand!

And blessed be God, your God,

who took such a liking to you and made you king.

Clearly, God's love for Israel is behind this,

making you king to keep a just order and nurture a God-pleasing people."

Pretty cool, right? Solomon was definitely famous. It wasn't just the Queen of Sheba that heard about him or came to visit--the passage says, "People came from all over the world to be with Solomon and drink in the wisdom God had given him." Wow.

I think it's interesting because Solomon never aspired to be famous. He wanted to love God and to serve people well as a young leader--so he asked God for wisdom. His wisdom made him famous, but more importantly, it made God famous. In several portions of the passage, people identified the greatness in Solomon with the greatness of God.

Food for thought: Even if you're never famous, what will people you actually know say about the greatness in you?

Tomorrow: 1 Kings 12-14

Solomon's prayer

Today: 1 Kings 8-9

A few days ago, I posted portions from one of David's prayers. In today's passage, Solomon's prayer of dedication at the temple stood out to me most. I thought it would be could to highlight portions of it here. [Note that the ellipses (...) indicate my omissions of the text. This is just a snapshot of some great verses--please read the chapters along with me for the full picture.]

O God, God of Israel,

there is no God like you

in the skies above or on the earth below

who unswervingly keeps covenant with his servants

and relentlessly loves them

as they sincerely live in obedience to your way.

You kept your word to David my father,

your personal word.

You did exactly what you promised—

every detail.

The proof is before us today!
Keep it up, God...

Can it be that God will actually move into our neighborhood?

Why, the cosmos itself isn't large enough to give you breathing room,

let alone this Temple I've built.

Even so, I'm bold to ask:

Pay attention to these my prayers,

both intercessory and personal,

O God, my God.

Listen to my prayers...

Tomorrow: 1 Kings 10-11

Wouldn't that be grand?

Today: 1 Kings 6-7

I'm amused by the words people use in old movies and TV shows. When was the last time you heard anyone say "groovy" or "swell"? (For me, "The Brady Bunch" comes to mind...)

One old-fashioned word I don't hear often? "Grand." Why is that?!? I can't imagine a college student saying, "Check out my iPhone. Isn't it grand?" Grand is such an awe-inspiring word. I wonder if it's rarely used because it's reserved for describing truly rare, jawdropping and overwhelmingly beautiful people, places and things.

When I read today's passage and descriptions of the temple Solomon built for God, "grand" came to my mind. Cedar! Bronze! And gold? The passage describes SO MUCH gold and glitter that it puts Donald Trump's homes and a TBN set to shame! :) Solomon and the people of Israel spared no expense. God's house wasn't built by the lowest bidder using the most cost-effective materials. It was built to honor and worship God. The sacrifices made to build the Temple visually demonstrated the great devotion of people who wanted t0 serve God.

I know, I know. Some readers may think, "That sounds nice, but I don't actually have gold to give to God." or "My church can't afford to look like that--and it might be kind of cheesy in today's modern times." Maybe. But these objections aren't really tied to the main point of this post. I'm not talking about building a grand Temple--I'm talking about the grandness in hearts that would want to do so.

It's not as if God needs your gold, your sacrificial gifts of time or talent or even your love. But doesn't He deserve them? Wouldn't it be grand to honor Him with those things? Wouldn't it be amazing if people who visited your church or met Christians thought, "Wow! Those people really love God. They're so loving and generous toward each other and toward me. I can't put my finger on how to describe it...but I know I like it." I do: grand.

Tomorrow: 1 Kings 8-9

What to do when you're overwhelmed

Today: 1 Kings 3-5

"How do you feel?

If we did a poll on the street and asked people to honestly answer this question, I bet the word "overwhelmed" (or some equivalent) would come up often.

People around us could be overwhelmed if they're unemployed or if their jobs are extra demanding. Perhaps they've just had a new baby. Maybe they're facing a health crisis, significant debt or divorce. This list could get REALLY long and depressing. But that's not what this post is about.

In today's passage, a young king named Solomon was feeling...well, overwhelmed. His father David died after successfully ruling a nation for over 40 years. After some serious family drama, Solomon took the throne. But he was young and inexperienced. How could he lead palace staff, an army...and the rest of the country?

Solomon generously gave God an offering. And then God talked with Solomon in a dream:

God said, "What can I give you? Ask."

Solomon said, "You were extravagantly generous in love

with David my father, and he lived faithfully in your presence,

his relationships were just and his heart right.

And you have persisted in this great and generous love by giving him—

and this very day!—

a son to sit on his throne.

"And now here I am:

God, my God, you have made me, your servant,

ruler of the kingdom in place of David my father.

I'm too young for this, a mere child!

I don't know the ropes, hardly know the 'ins' and 'outs' of this job.

And here I am,

set down in the middle of the people you've chosen,

a great people—far too many to ever count.

"Here's what I want: Give me a God-listening heart

so I can lead your people well,

discerning the difference between good and evil.

For who

on their own

is capable

of leading

your glorious people?"

A few things that stood out to me today:

• I love how the message describes Solomon's request as a plea for a "God-listening heart." In most translations, it's wisdom. But aren't they synonymous with each other? Wise people listen to God, who is wisdom itself.
  
• Listening is a common action for wise people--they listen to others and have the ability to learn from what they say (even if it's what not to do).
  
• Perhaps most of all, I love God's initial request to Solomon--ask! God loved Solomon and didn't want to leave him feeling lost or overwhelmed. He cared. He offered help. And He delivered.
  
• God's question and offer to Solomon wasn't a one time event exclusively for one person. Repeatedly, He offered a similar solution to other people in the Bible...and I think the request extends to us, too. (See Jesus' words in Matthew 7, for example.)

Don't be overwhelmed--it's okay to ask for help. We could all use a little more wisdom in our lives--and our world could also use some more people with God-listening hearts.

Tomorrow: 1 Kings 6-7

Faulty assumptions

Today: 1 Kings 1-2

How much of our lives are driven by assumptions?

I assume that when I finish typing this post, it will show up on this site without a hitch. I assume that I'll sleep tonight, wake up in the morning and go to work. I assume that my house, city and workplace are safe. I assume that a message from a friend and a trip to Starbucks will brighten my day tomorrow...and hopefully I'll brighten up the day for at least one other person. I assume that I'm healthy and that I'll keep trekking along as is for a long time (I'm a little in denial about wrinkles at this point!). I assume that I'm funny (at least sometimes?) and well loved by two dogs, four family members, some Starbucks employees who give me free extra shots, co-workers and a crew of amazing friends.

Some of these assumptions may be true and others are false, but they're all just ideas in my head unless they're confirmed by reality. It's important to correctly label some of our critical assumptions as assumptions...otherwise, we are in danger of making some serious errors.

In today's passage, David's son Adonijah made some pretty big (and inaccurate) assumptions. Worse, he acted on his assumptions without confirming the facts. And even when it was obvious that he wouldn't be king, Adonijah assumed King Solomon (the brother he betrayed earlier) would cater to his request. Not so much.

As I close this post, I thought it would be good for us to think about our assumptions by asking ourselves some questions. It might even help to write down some answers.

• What kinds of assumptions do you have...
  
  - about yourself?
  - about other people in your life?
  - about the world around you?
  - about money?
  - about church/religion?
  - about God?
  
• Why is it important to identify assumptions?
  
• If you have a false assumption, how do you change it?

Tomorrow: 1 Kings 3-5

David's prayer

Today: 2 Samuel 22-24

As a "man after God's own heart," I think David knew a few things about how to talk to God through prayer. I really loved the prayer in today's passage--besides speaking the truth, I thought it included some beautiful timeless words about God that could apply to you and me, too. Take a look at this section where David is talking about God's steady presence when he faced opposition:

...They hit me when I was down,

but God stuck by me.

He stood me up on a wide-open field;

I stood there saved—surprised to be loved!

God made my life complete

when I placed all the pieces before him.

When I cleaned up my act,

he gave me a fresh start.

Indeed, I've kept alert to God's ways;

I haven't taken God for granted.

Every day I review the ways he works,

I try not to miss a trick.

I feel put back together,

and I'm watching my step.

God rewrote the text of my life

when I opened the book of my heart to his eyes...

Tomorrow: 1 Kings 1-2