Bronze for Gold?

Daily Reading: 1 Kings 14

Scripture Focus: King Rehoboam made in their place shields of bronze… (1 Kings 14.27)

Devotional Thought: The King of Egypt – Shishak – “took away the treasure of the house of the Lord… all the shields of gold that Solomon had made.” Solomon’s reign had been one of unparalleled wealth and wisdom. But, that wealth and wisdom were fleeting. In just one generation, Egypt came and “took away everything.”

King Shishak is a picture of Satan. When Satan finds people divided, when he finds people separated from the family of God and the house of worship, he is able to steal their wealth and wisdom and victory. Jesus said that Satan is a thief who comes to “steal and kill and destroy.” When a sheep is separated from the sheepfold, the thief has an easy time of doing that very thing. How important it is to stay vitally connected to the church, to a small group. There is strength in Christian relationships that we cannot find elsewhere.

Rehoboam tried to take corrective measures, but he did not get to the root of the problem. The people were living a divided life, appearing to serve God, but not really following him with their whole heart. The Bible speaks of having an “appearance of godliness, but denying its power” (2 Timothy 3.5). The shields that Solomon had placed in the temple were pure gold, valuable beyond compare. Yet, when they were lost, Rehoboam did not attempt to get them back, nor did he call upon God. Instead, Rehoboam made cheap substitutes that looked like the real thing, but were only bronze. They were shiny. They were beautiful. They were impressive. But, they were not pure gold.

Are you missing the pure gold of a relationship with God? Don’t substitute a cheap alloy. God has gold for you!

Prayer: Lord, I refuse to substitute bronze for gold. I want the pure gold of a soul on fire for God, a soul totally surrendered to you. Purify my heart so that it is set upon you completely. In Jesus' name, amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 121.5-8

5 The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade on your right hand. 6 The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night.

7 The Lord will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life. 8 The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore.