Scripture

Our verse for today comes from 1 Kings 2:17, ” Then he said, ‘Please speak to King Solomon, for he will not refuse you, that he may give me Abishag the Shunammite as wife.’ “

Background

Letting go of something can be a very difficult thing to do. In fact, going after that distant prize or seemingly unattainable goal can be much more manageable than giving up on something. Once the taste of desire gets into your system, it’s hard to just push it aside and move on. Even when you know it’s wrong or God has laid it on your heart to do without, that doesn’t instantly turn it into a simple task of laying it down and walking away. And such was the trap that Adonijah was caught in as his brother Solomon took the throne of Israel. Adonijah wanted that throne, he needed that throne. And just because Solomon had received it from the Lord, that didn’t make it any easier on him. He had heard the people cry out his name as he sought to claim it before David pronounced it to Solomon, and he wasn’t prepared to give it up. So he cunningly asked Bathsheba, Solomon’s mom, to go and request from Solomon that he give Abishag to him for his wife. And you might figure that Solomon would grant this simple wish, since he as king could have anyone he desired. But Solomon saw the request for what it really was. He knew that Adonijah still craved the throne, and that he was beginning his plot by seeking out one of the royal harem. He knew that Adonijah had not laid aside his desire to reign in order to be the worthy man Solomon warned him to be earlier.

Application

And that’s familiar territory to us. We are urged by our King to lay aside the things that we have tasted that will not satisfy, that do not belong to us as heavenly residents. We are told that He is worthy of our worship, but our plans are difficult to alter, our comforts difficult to relinquish. We are taught that He deserves preeminence, but we sit at the feet of popular opinion and soak up its wisdom. Are you going after what He has not chosen for you? Are you trying to change His mind? Are you attempting to convince Him of what you need? Remember, cast all your cares on Him, for He cares for you.

Charge

Remember, cast all your cares on Him, for He cares for you.

As we seek Him today, ask God to align your desires according to His plans. Seek to know what you need to let go of, and then open up your hands and your heart.