SNOTTY SNOW CONES
In today’s reading, we come upon a very familiar text which deals with Solomon requesting of the Lord discernment to understand justice (1 Kings 3:11) or “an understanding heart to judge Your people” (3:9) or…wisdom! The Lord is so pleased with Solomon’s request that He not only gives him wisdom, He also gives him “riches and honor” (3:13). Too often our prayers are self-focused rather than kingdom-focused, pride-inducing rather than praise-creating. One phrase caught my attention in today’s reading and it was the phrase “high place.” I have stood on a “high place” in Jordan. People would seek out such a ‘high place’ so they could be closer to their gods and they would involve themselves at that ‘high place’ in whatever their religion prescribed as appropriate worship.
These ‘high places,’ while not a problem in today’s reading, will eventually trip up Solomon. 1 Kings 3:3 reads, “Now Solomon loved the Lord, walking in the statutes of his father David, except he sacrificed and burned incense on the high places.” Solomon eventually worshipped inappropriately. He did walk after the Lord like David, his father, EXCEPT. There should not have been an EXCEPT. What is the EXCEPT in your life? Stolen glances? Cheating on your taxes? Little white lies? Online porn?
Follow this illustration of the significance of a holy life…snow cones are a real treat in the Texas heat. But what if someone bought you a snow cone with your favorite topping (Mine is root beer!). Unfortunately as your friend is walking to deliver the snow cone to you a stranger sneezes immediately on top of it. Now…it looks the same. It still glistens in the sun. You are unable to detect any germs or bacteria lurking on the surface…..BUT YOU WOULD NOT EAT IT! Why?! Because it is the perfect snow cone EXCEPT…….
These ‘high places,’ while not a problem in today’s reading, will eventually trip up Solomon. 1 Kings 3:3 reads, “Now Solomon loved the Lord, walking in the statutes of his father David, except he sacrificed and burned incense on the high places.” Solomon eventually worshipped inappropriately. He did walk after the Lord like David, his father, EXCEPT. There should not have been an EXCEPT. What is the EXCEPT in your life? Stolen glances? Cheating on your taxes? Little white lies? Online porn?
Follow this illustration of the significance of a holy life…snow cones are a real treat in the Texas heat. But what if someone bought you a snow cone with your favorite topping (Mine is root beer!). Unfortunately as your friend is walking to deliver the snow cone to you a stranger sneezes immediately on top of it. Now…it looks the same. It still glistens in the sun. You are unable to detect any germs or bacteria lurking on the surface…..BUT YOU WOULD NOT EAT IT! Why?! Because it is the perfect snow cone EXCEPT…….
by Curt Krohn
Posted in Read Through the Bible
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