1 Kings 11:9-10 (KJV)
And the Lord was angry with Solomon, because his heart was turned from the Lord God of Israel, which had appeared unto him twice, And had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not go after other gods: but he kept not that which the Lord commanded.
Solomon, blessed to have so much wisdom from God because he sought the Lord and His goodness, drifted away from God’s path and went into idolatry. In his early years, it is recorded in 1 Kings 3:3 that “Solomon loved the Lord, walking in the statutes of David his father.” As he became increasingly popular, he decided he could do what he wanted by turning away his love for God. He was deep into sexual sin, loving many strange women from the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Zidonians, and Hittites. Solomon claves unto these women in love, although the Lord had explicitly warned the people of Israel not to go into them, for, indeed, they would turn away their hearts after their gods. And as the Lord said, these women turned away his heart after other gods, and his heart was not perfect with the Lord his God. He did evil in the sight of the Lord and went after Ashtoreth, the goddess of the Zidonians, and after Milcom, the abomination of the Ammonites. King Solomon planted seeds of willfulness and independence that reaped a harvest of rebellion in his heart. God issued a strong statement of divine anger towards Solomon and raised adversaries like Hadad and Rezon, as well as a sleek Jeroboam, biting, snarling, and fighting with him. He became easy prey to his enemies.
It is a fact that the epidemic of backsliding is on the increase. It has also become a significant plague wreaking havoc in the lives of many. Backsliding is going down from an elevated level of righteousness and holiness to a low and shameful level of sinfulness and perversion. It is throwing away the truth that saves and embraces falsehood. It begins in the heart, a gradual process that occurs over a while until it reaches a noticeable stage. When believers become filled with their own ways, forget about God, and do not serve Him faithfully, they begin to backslide. When we find someone who has always been fervent in the things of God now giving excuses for being absent from church programs, it is only a matter of time; the person will soon return to their vomit. Many have gone astray because of the love of fame, fortune, women, drugs, and the pleasures of this world. Often, many start very well in the Christian race but then cool off later. Some people who used to be very hot for the Lord even leave the Lord completely. Walking against God’s holiness and resisting His authority over our lives draws His anger. It gives way to the adversary, and things refuse to work out. Galatians 4:9 says, “But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?”
Beloved, let each day of your life count for eternity, for backsliding and unfaithfulness have severe consequences. It makes the Lord remove His Presence from you, making you face disgrace, shame, pain, and oppression from your enemies. Recognize your weakness and engage in regular Bible study, prayers, and fasting to draw strength from God. Resist every habit and practice that will reduce your fire and spiritual intensity in God for backsliders get what they deserve. Take wise and decisive action on any relationship that can potentially destroy your relationship with God. It is time for you to repent so that you can enjoy the times of refreshing. Today, God is saying to you, like the prodigal son, return to God through His Son Jesus Christ, and be forgiven. God does not want any sinner to die in his sins; neither does He want His children to be at the mercy of the devil. It doesn’t matter how far down you have gone; He is ready to make you a better child. Remember, enter 2024 as a true child of God, prepared to stand for Him and serve Him with your all.
O Lord, grant me the grace to live for You alone at all times in Jesus’ Name.