Now, I am hearing about lots of regret and despair from those who can finally admit that they are very sorry that they fell for all the hype, lies, and conflicting promises spouted by Barack. They didn't pay any attention to the dire warnings about this man and went ahead and "drank the Kool-Aid" and voted for him.
You can go to the Youtube site and view all of the videos of Obama's campaign promises - that haven't (and probably won't) come to fruition. One example is the "middle-class" tax cuts. Remember? He claimed that something like 95% of the people would be getting these cuts. Well...guess what was cut? The tax cuts themselves were cut!!! They were either missing or nixed from any and all of the porkulus bills. Yet, billions of taxpayer dollars are going to ACORN - so Obama can pay back the people who helped get him elected. So, how does that grab you?
I mentioned the above scenario for the purpose of discussing a small portion of a Bible Study guide written by Dr. David Jeremiah called, "When Wisdom Turns to Foolishness." It is a booklet that goes into detail about the life of Solomon. Readers learn of his dysfunctional family. We follow his legacy (see 1 Kings 2:1-9). We read about the prayer for wisdom (see 1 Kings 3:3-15). We recall the incident of two women and a baby (see 1 Kings 3:16-28). We find and study selected Scriptures about Solomon in all his glory. We read about Solomon's vision. We read Solomon's great prayer (see 1 Kings 8:22-61). We discover Solomon's search for meaning in the book of Ecclesiastes. Then, finally, we read of the failure of Solomon (see 1 Kings 11:1-13).
Recently, I heard that Democratic Senator Chuck Schumer claims that "traditional values" aren't important anymore (or, something like that). What did he mean by that? What does that say about him as a person? I think it says that he is highly arrogant...to say the least! It was a very condescending thing to say to many of the American people who hold to traditional values and ethics and find them essential in their lives.
However, this post isn't about Chuck Schumer. But, it is about those who would be so foolish as to ignore true wisdom and where it comes from.
It comes from God.
In the very first chapter, Dr. Jeremiah shares an awesome point. First, a little background. Under the heading called "Lessons of God," we learn more detail about Solomon's dysfunctional family. We learn about family infighting. We learn that neither his mother nor father were godly examples for him. We learn about the problems that develop in the failing culture of that time.
We learn the good things, too. Solomon's obvious literary genius. His wisdom, great wealth, and love for women. Trouble is, he took David's excesses to an even higher level by having hundreds of wives and intermarrying with pagan women who turned his heart away from God.
Despite all of this, Dr. Jeremiah shares that the good news (for Solomon and all of us!) is that the power of God can overcome the circumstances of the past.
Dr. Jeremiah writes:
Solomon's father was an adulterer, a polygamist, and a murderer. His mother came from a pagan background and was characterized by moral weakness. One brother raped a sister, another killed the rapist and was murdered by his father's closest friend. Solomon became king through the manipulation of his mother and a prophet. Yet the Bible says he was the wisest man who ever lived, and probably the wealthiest too. Here was a man who came from a dysfunctional family. He had every reason to fail, but he rose above to become, for a time, a great man.
There is much talk today about the power of the past and the healing of memories, but I want you to know that the Word of God promises that you can rise about your past. You can be something great for God and never have to use your circumstances as an excuse for failure.
Robert Lewis, in his book, Real Family Values, offers a wonderful metaphor on the power of God to heal us from our past. As children we all learned the classic nursery rhyme about Humpty-Dumpty. The image was that of a brittle fellow who suffered mortal wounds. Valiant efforts were made to save Humpty. Even the king's powerful horses tried and failed. The same is true today. Many wounded souls turn to power for salvation. They try the power of success, the power of achievement, and the power of material wealth, but it won't heal them. Power only deadens the pain temporarily.
The king's wise men tried to save Humpty, but could not. Today, wounded people are turning to self-proclaimed wise men, counselors, and therapists who claim to heal hurting souls but are powerless to offer any real healing. The only source of healing is the Creator, the One who designed the egg. Only the King of Heaven can put Humpty back together, and He alone can heal your life.
Jesus said, "I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly" (John 10:10). Regardless of the pain you went through in your family, the Lord can heal you and fill your life with good things. Therapists and material gain can't fill the cracks in your soul, but there is one Source who can -- Jesus Christ. When you make Him King of your life, He begins to mend the shattered pieces of your soul.