A Wandering Heart

Based on 1 Kings 10-11, Luke 21:20-38

A dog kept on a leash is not seen as abuse to the animal, but respectful control over their instincts. It is also for the protection of the people around them. No matter how trained a dog may be, it is still a good idea to have them on a leash when going on a walk. A "walk" usually has a beginning & ending destination...but a "wander" usually has no strings attached, no leash and no real way to tell if the dog will ever come back. As odd as it seems, this is what happens when we let our hearts wander & break away from the Hand of God upon our lives!

"So king Solomon exceeded all the kings of the earth for riches and for wisdom. And all the earth sought to Solomon, to hear his wisdom, which God had put in his heart." 1 Kings 10:23‭-‬24

We must remember that Solomon had wisdom because of God! Both God and His wisdom were Solomon's greatest treasures for a while, but he lost sight of that when he let his heart wander...when the queen of Sheba came to see if it was really true, if God had blessed Solomon so magnificently, she was so impressed...but not soon after, Solomon's heart was carried away by allowing too many women & wives into his life. He started worshipping their gods. Living according to their earthly wisdom instead of the once-treasured wisdom of God! So, God was going to take 10 tribes and give them to Jeroboam his servant (not his son) and keep 2 tribes to Solomon only for his father David's sake...

"Solomon sought therefore to kill Jeroboam. And Jeroboam arose, and fled into Egypt, unto Shishak king of Egypt, and was in Egypt until the death of Solomon." 1 Kings 11:40.

...And now we have another "Saul & David" situation! Solomon was more like Saul in this instance, because he decided the chase was on after Jeroboam, who was a little like David, having to run for his life. Solomon was wise enough to know what he was missing. He knew the dangers of letting his heart wander...but he did it anyways!

"Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away. And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares."

Luke 21:33‭-‬34.

How comforting to know that when we make the choice to ground & anchor our hearts in God's Word, it doesn't matter the wreckage going on around us! Also, it doesn't matter what temptations try to confuse or deceive us! We can be sure of the answers we find in God's Word & in prayer! We don't want that day The Lord returns to be something that catches us by surprise because our hearts were wandering...stay steady in Acts 2:38, and find true freedom to walk with God...instead of wandering & wondering what will happen to us in eternity!

"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." Acts 2:38.