Friday, May 17, 2013

Clinging To The Lord

I was reading in 1 Kings 11 the other morning and one verse in particular jumped out at me. This is the continuing story of King Solomon. The text reads, (1 Kings 11:1-2) But king Solomon loved many strange women, together with the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Zidonians, and Hittites; Of the nations concerning which the LORD said unto the children of Israel, Ye shall not go in to them, neither shall they come in unto you: for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods: Solomon clave unto these in love.  Solomon clave unto foreign women and soon to their gods as you read the rest of the verses. How sad!! 

The Hebrew word for clave means "to cling to, " "to adhere," "to join to something." It is often used with the idea of clinging to someone with affection, devotion, and loyalty.  What are you clinging to? What are you devoted to? Solomon use to be devoted to the Lord, but something happened to where God was no longer enough for him. That is especially amazing to us as we read many of his wonderful Proverbs. I'm afraid there are many Christians like Solomon who are clinging to the wrong things.

David wrote in (Psalms 101:3-4) I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.  A froward heart shall depart from me: I will not know a wicked person. David said that he would not allow any wicked thing before him. The commentators explain that the wicked thing can also include wicked plans and purposes.  The word for "wicked" is a word that can mean "evil," or "worthless," or something with out profit." David said that no wicked thing shall cleave unto him. Why? Because he was clinging to God. Not perfectly, he made his share of mistakes, some even very big ones, but his heart was one that loved Jehovah. We must cling to God or sin will cling to us.

The Book of Deuteronomy stresses the importance of clinging to God. Observe a few verses:  (Deuteronomy 10:20) Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God; him shalt thou serve, and to him shalt thou cleave, and swear by his name(Deuteronomy 11:22) For if ye shall diligently keep all these commandments which I command you, to do them, to love the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, and to cleave unto him(Deuteronomy 13:4) Ye shall walk after the LORD your God, and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him, and cleave unto him.  Take time to read the verses in context.

Also consider King Hezekiah, one of the good Kings of Judah.  (2 Kings 18:6) For he clave to the LORD, and departed not from following him, but kept his commandments, which the LORD commanded Moses.  V.7 then tells us that he prospered by clinging to God. We will always prosper, at least spiritually, by clinging to God!!

Back to my opening text, Solomon struggled because he clung to the wrong thing.  We will pay a price too, if we cling to the wrong things.  We must cling to God! Stay devoted to Him! Then we know that we can expect answers to prayer, help in time of need, direction for life, comfort in trouble, and so forth!   James tells us in James 4:8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.  Let us purpose to draw very close to God and enjoy a life worth living. Everything else will leave us empty and unsatisfied!

No comments:

Post a Comment