1 Kings 11:9-10(AMP)
So, the Lord became angry with Solomon because his heart was turned away from the Lord, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice, and had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not follow other gods; but he did not observe (remember, obey) what the Lord had commanded.
Solomon, who was blessed to have so much wisdom from God, because of how he sought the Lord and His goodness, drifted away from God’s path and went into the path of idolatry. For 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 more and more popular, he decided that 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 specifically warned the people of Israel not to go into them for surely, they will 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. And 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 major 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 embracing falsehood. It begins in the heart, a gradual process that occurs over a period of time until it gets to a noticeable stage. When a believer becomes filled with his or her own ways, forgets about God and not serve Him faithfully that believer has begun 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 his or her vomit. Many have gone astray because of the love of fame, fortune, women, drugs, and the pleasures of this world. Often, many start off 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.
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. Take a wise and decisive action on any relationship that has the potential of destroying your relationship with God. It is time for you to repent so that times of refreshing can be poured over your life. 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 of His.
O Lord, grant me the grace to live for You alone at all times in Jesus’ Name.