Our theme scripture is an admonition which stems from the fateful account of the Jewish people who perished in the wilderness due to their rebellion and indulgence in sinful acts such as sexual immorality and idolatry among other vices. They had seen God’s power in the miraculous and historic deliverance from Egypt. They continued to experience great things in the wilderness. With all this rich experience, they were not yielded in hearts to God. There were happy to see the miracles but never yielded to the will of Him who brought the miracles. As a result they found themselves indulging in such deplorable acts which led to the destruction of many of them in the wilderness (1 Corinthians 10:5). When you are yielded to God, you treasure what pleases Him. His will is alive on your heart. This makes you vigilant in spirit. 1 Peter 5:8 warns and instructs us: “Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour”. You may have a rich experience with God, seeing great things. You might have been serving the Lord for many years. Don’t allow your experience replace your dear undivided devotion of heart towards Him. Don’t allow your rich experience of service to God take the place of your consistent and continuous yielding to His will from your heart.

King Solomon was endowed with unparalleled wisdom in His day with which he judged excellently. God gave Him riches like no other in his day. His fame spread to distant lands. His unique wisdom got the attention of great people such as the Queen of Sheba from Ethiopia. The Lord also gave Him and his kingdom rest politically. While at this height of glory, 1 Kings 11:1 tells us the unpleasant: “But King Solomon loved many strange women, together with

the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Zidonians, and Hittites”. These women were from nations God had already warned them about. But King Solomon never cared at that moment about God’s will. He disregarded what pleases God. Consequently 1 Kings 11:4 informs us that these women turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God. The wisest man was found in foolishness. Don’t allow such things happen to you. Always stay focused on Jesus, the author and perfector of your faith (Hebrews 12:2). Stay in His Word. Treasure His will on your heart without compromise. Don’t allow your achievements, gifts and experiences take the place of your yielding in love to what pleases the Lord.