Many years ago my husband and I made a financial investment that we thought would eventually pay off in big dividends for us. At the time, we prayed about the investment and sought wise counsel. Based on the information available to us, we trusted our judgment and hoped to see a return on our investment within five years. How could we have known that barely four years into our plan – the market would crash and we’d end up like so many others in a huge financial pickle that we are still paying for years later?
As a rule, my husband and I are not big risk takers when it comes to money matters – especially given the fact that neither one of us seem to have been gifted with even a smidgeon of financial know-how. We’ve attended the Dave Ramsey Financial Peace Seminar, yet at times, it’s felt as though we’ve shared one brain when it comes to making big financial decisions.
Whenever the enemy attacks in the areas we feel weakest, my husband and I take solace in going to God’s Word. Last week my solace came from reading 1 Kings and the account of King Solomon who was supposedly the wisest person who ever lived. First Kings 3:12-13 tells us regarding Solomon: “I will give you what you asked for! I will give you a wise and understanding heart such as no one else has had or ever will have! And I will also give you what you did not ask for—riches and fame! No other king in all the world will be compared to you for the rest of your life! ”
Surprisingly, as we delve into Solomon’s story, however, we read the account of how the wise King fell from grace. For being the smartest person on the planet at the time, Solomon made some very poor decisions in the fact that he ended up marrying 700 wives and had 300 concubines, who turned his heart away from God.
I tell myself that if the wisest person to ever have lived ended up making such horrific decisions and turning away from God, how can I beat myself up over some of the poor decisions I’ve made.
While we’re not entirely sure about Solomon’s eternal fate, God’s message to King David regarding his son Solomon tells us the following: “When your days are complete and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your descendant after you, who will come forth from you, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. I will be a father to him and he will be a son to Me; when he commits iniquity, I will correct him with the rod of men and the strokes of the sons of men, but My loving kindness shall not depart from him, as I took it away from Saul, whom I removed from before you. Your house and your kingdom shall endure before Me forever; your throne shall be established forever.” (2 Samuel 7:12-16)(NASB) (Emphasis mine)
Thankfully, God did not remove his loving kindness from Solomon in light of his stupid decisions. Because of God’s grace we can come boldly to the throne of our gracious God and there we will receive His mercy and grace when we need it. (Hebrews 4:16) Yes, we ALL may make stupid mistakes from time to time, but thank goodness, God’s mercy covers stupid.
Blessings in Christ,
Kathy K.
If I only had hindsight…I would seem so much smarter!
God knows Ron and I have made our share of stupid mistakes, but I’m grateful for friends like you who’ve held my hand during the hard times that followed.