Leaving a Legacy – Lessons from the Kings of Israel and Judah

As I started reading the book of 1 Kings, I must be completely transparent and admit I wasn’t sure the course of “then he was king… then he ruled… then he was king” would be all that enticing. But, as the pages unfolded to tell the lineage of the kings of Israel, and then Judah, what spilled all over the pages was a striking lesson on the incredible impact we have in leaving a legacy for our families.

A quick recap of where it all started(I Kings that is) … It began with David, who was a man after God’s own heart – a phrase we hear all the time. Although not perfect, David led Israel – and members of his family - to love and honor God, and he brought great power to the nation of Israel. His son Solomon was the next to reign, and during the first portion of Solomon’s reign, his “reputation…brought honor to the name of the Lord.” (I Kings 10:1).

Solomon was following in his father’s spiritual footsteps, as David had left him a legacy - a spiritual heritage - to follow. David did what all father’s should try to do for their children – he brought Solomon up to honor and obey the Lord. In fact in chapter 9, verses 4-5, God tells Solomon: “if you will follow me with integrity and godliness, as David your father did....I will establish the throne of your dynasty forever.”

This confirms that not only was David successful in leaving a legacy of faith and godliness to at least some of his children, but it also confirms that God ultimately blesses those families that serve HIM faithfully.

But the story doesn’t end there. Unfortunately – Solomon got distracted. We all see those “shiny” things that capture our attention, our time, our talents. Temptatations that would pull our attention from Jesus and His love are everywhere, and how easy it is for us to get side-tracked. Solomon did. I Kings 11:2-3 state: “The Lord had clearly instructed his people not to intermarry…because the women they married would lead them to worship their gods. YET Solomon insisted on loving them anyway.” (Emphasis on YET my own).

The key word there is YET. Solomon knew what was right; likewise he knew what was wrong. And he did it anyway. He saw something shiny, something he wanted, something that, at first glance, appeared better, something that was a great temptation to him – and he folded.

This slippery slope, this initial distraction away from God and HIS ways, lead Israel to idol worship, raised up enemies against Solomon, and would ultimately lead to the breakdown of Israel, the death of Solomon, and a new generation of Kings who did evil in the sight of the Lord (to be discussed further in Part 2).

My take away here is a two-fold.

First, David wasn’t perfect. He sinned. But God used him in a might way, and because David was faithful, God planned to use the family of David in a mighty way. As a parent, I’m not perfect. I sin. As my spouse, Joey’s not perfect. He sins. But if we allow God to work in us, and we have a heart for him, as David did, and we establish a legacy for our children, as David did, what blessings will God bestow upon the generations of “Colsons” yet to come from us and our children?

Secondly, Solomon had everything. He had wisdom, he had power, he had wealth, and he had the blessings of God. But he got distracted. Something pulled his attention away from the Lord. And how quickly his legacy changed. I pray that I don’t get distracted – even when it gets hard and I grow weary. I pray that each day I can focus on moving forward, obedient, and strong in my faith so that my legacy doesn’t become tainted, leaving my children spiritually weak and ungrounded.

Of course, a nation isn’t at stake – but my family is.

I guess my challenge for those reading this would be: Are you leaving a strong legacy of faith, grounded in Christ, with a family “reputation…[that brings] honor to the name of the Lord” or are you getting distracted? Your family heritage may depend on it.

He Equips Us for the Task!

Over the last couple of days, I've been reading through Exodus, and the last six chapters have all been about the details of how to construct, and handle, the Ark of the Covenant. As a kid that grew up in church, I knew the Ark was important, but I had never really read through every specific and tiny detail of its creation. To be honest, there were moments during those six chapters where I was easily distractable, or was ready to move on to something that was a bit more, should we say "easy reading." :) But then I got to Chapter 31....

"The Lord says to Moses, Look I have chosen Bezalel....I have filled him with the Spirit of God, giving Him great wisdom, intelligence, and skill in all kinds of crafts. He is able to create beautiful objects from gold, silver, and bronze. He is skilled in cutting and setting gemstones and in carving wood. Yes, he is a master at every craft. And I have appointed Oholiab...to be his assistant. Moreover, I have given special skill to all the naturally talented craftsmen so they can make the things I have instructed you to make." Exodus 31:1-6 (NLT)

This really struck me, and I read it several times. God had just finished giving the Israelites this huge, remkarkably important task, yet immediately after the last instruction is given, it was like He was saying "I've given you the skills to accomplish this." To me, it was like he was letting Moses know "Yes, this is a big job, but you can do this. It's ok. I've given you just what you need."

Two aspects that I wrote down about these verses were that God gave the individuals the skills they needed in order to accomplish the very specific tasks He required of them. Secondly, He brought other people, with other skill sets, to their side to help them - God gave them exactly what they needed for the work He had for them.

In the verses that follow, verses 7-11, God runs down a list of every single item that had to be built for the Ark of the Convenant and the Tabernacle. Every item is included. So, He didn't say, "I have equipped them to fulfill every aspect of what I called you to except for a few." No, God made sure these men had the skills and talents needed to complete EVERY part of what He desired and had called them to do.

These verses were a great reminder to me that God gives us the tools and skills we need for just what He called us to. Whether it's being a teacher, nurse, carpenter, mentor, accountant, engineer, stay-at-home mom, pastor, wife, or husband, God has set a specific task in front of us, and it's comforting to know that God equips us with just the skills we need, and then also surrounds us with others who can "sharpen" us and assist us along the way.

Psalm 31

So, I started my blog, and then took a slight sabbatical, but that’s simply because I didn’t have anything mulling in my brain so frantically that I just HAD to write… until today.

And, while I don’t intend for my blog to just be a place where I write thoughts on my devotions, it just happens that these thoughts are currently what’s causing my brain to go on overdrive!

Lastly, let me explain that I’m attempting to read the Bible through in a year – a goal I’ve never quite attained but trusting that this year I can faithfully complete – so I’m reading in the OT, and the NT, which is why I will have thoughts from both periodically…

OT Thoughts…

In Psalm 31, in the New Living Translation, verse 3 says:

"You are my rock and my fortress. For the honor of your name, lead me out of this peril."

The portion of this verse that got my hilighter flying was “FOR THE HONOR OF YOUR NAME…”

This was a perfect reminder for me, in the midst of some personal challenges, that God allows us to go through circumstances and on journeys to bring HIMSELF honor and glory, that HE might be revealed to others, and in our lives more abundantly.

When miracles happen HE is given honor. When we can show others the love of Christ or be a witness in our trials, HE is given honor. When we grow through the pain of our circumstances, HE is given honor as we grow into who HE wants us to be.

In the NLT of this same chapter, the phrase “YOUR UNFAILING LOVE” is used THREE times. What a concept that God’s love is UNFAILING, even when we, in our imperfect state, fail so often. What a reminder of His promise to never leave us or forsake us.

The final verse of this chapter wraps it all up perfectly with:

"So be strong and take courage, all you who put your hope in the Lord!"

May I remember that whatever I'm facing, I can take HOPE in the Lord, and in His UNFAILING love, so that it might bring HONOR to His name....

Seeking Wisdom - Proverbs 8

Yesterday I read Proverbs 8 (NLT), and found many lessons I had never seen before, and throughout yesterday and today, I've been "chewing" on these thoughts about wisdom.

#1 - Verse 4 says: " I call to you, to ALL of you! I am raising my voice to ALL people." The use of the word ALL is what captivated me. ALL - really - ALL of us can seek wisdom. Not just the educated, the rich, and pastors, the most beautiful, but ALL of us. Everyone has the opportunity, and has the choice to seek out wisdom.

*2 - Verses 7-14 state that wisdom:

• speaks in truth and hates deception
• gives wholesome advice
• is not crooked or corrupt
• shows good judgement
• discovers knowledge
• has discernment
• hates pride, arrogance, corruption, and perverted speech
• gives good advice

My first thoughts here are: "if this is what defines wisdom, why shouldn't we ALL want it?" and my second thought has been "Do I live a life that is marked by wisdom?" Sadly, the answer is no - I am not perfect! But, what a desire to live a life, based on these traits, that is marked by wisdom!

#3 - Verse 17 says: "Those who search for me will SURELY find me." (my own emphasis added). With the previous thought in mind, God assures us that if we seek wisdom, He promises us that we will SURELY find it! Not maybe, not hopefully, but SURELY. What a promise we can rest in as we strive to be more like Christ each day!

#4 - Verses 27-31 - WOW, what a CREATOR. He "set the clouds above" and "set limits to the sea." He "marked off the earth's foundations." Incredible!

#5 - Verse 36 says: "But those who miss me [wisdom] have injured themselves." This verse really made me pause and think through this....When we are injured, we typically can't work or live to our fullest capacities. We are hindered by our injury. The potential of what we can do is often limited by the injury. What a thought to think that if we don't seek out wisdom, we are hindering our ability to live the life God intends for us. We are limiting our potential.

I'm sure these thoughts will continue to mull around in my head for several more days to come as I process them, but most importantly, I hope I remember them - daily - so I can strive to live a life marked by wisdom, fully performing whatever He as for me.