A Monthly Inspirational Viewpoint of Life’s Journeys with Sonia Wignall.
Episode Thirty One
An unguarded Heart.
“ Above all else, guard your heart, for out of it flows the issues of life.”
Prov.4:23
Most powerful counsel.
Our early morning weekday prayer time is peppered with individual prayers, specific order of prayers and other intercessionary prayer needs. In addition to powerful and effective prayers, we often add scriptural readings and short discussions.
A few years back we read about the “wisdom and wealth of Solomon” given to him by God, because of his humility as a “Servant Leader”. This was not my first time hearing this story, but being in a different, and more aware spiritual point in my life, this time the story shook me to the core. The reality that wisdom and grace does not guarantee humility.
When we began reading and understanding the implications of the sins of Solomon I was stunned. I could not understand how a man after God’s own heart, that God chose to build the Temple could have used the blessings of God’s grace, extreme wealth and wisdom to take his nation into such a state of rebellion and disobedience that the Temple was destroyed, many were killed, those left were either taken into captivity, or left to witness the ruins of Israel.
What stunned me was that Solomon, not his father, the great king and warrior David, was given by God, the great and powerful mandate to build the Temple and lead his people.
God said to Solomon, “Since this is your heart’s desire and you have not asked for wealth, possessions or honor, nor for the death of your enemies, and since you have not asked for a long life but for wisdom and knowledge to govern my people over whom I have made you king, therefore wisdom and knowledge will be given you. And I will also give you wealth, possessions and honor, such as no king who was before you ever had and none after you will have.” 2 Chr 1:11-12
All resources were provided to Solomon by God. Through God’s detailed specification, Solomon and the people built a magnificent Temple in God’s honor.
After the Temple was completed, Solomon in gratitude, stewardship, and “Servant Leadership”, gathered the people. He led them into a series of reverence prayers in the dedication of the Temple to God.
Solomon’s Prayer of Dedication
1st Kings 8:22 Then Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of all the assembly of Israel, and spread out his hands toward heaven; 23 and he said: “LORD God of Israel, there is no God in heaven above or on earth below like You, who keep Your covenant and mercy with Your servants who walk before You with all their hearts. 24 You have kept what You promised Your servant David my father; You have both spoken with Your mouth and fulfilled it with Your hand, as it is this day. 25 Therefore, LORD God of Israel, now keep what You promised Your servant David my father, saying…
52 that Your eyes may be open to the supplication of Your servant and the supplication of Your people Israel, to listen to them whenever they call to You. 53 For You separated them from among all the peoples of the earth to be Your inheritance, as You spoke by Your servant Moses, when You brought our fathers out of Egypt, O Lord GOD.”…
Read more https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Kings%208%3A22-53&version=NKJV
Solomon Failed to guard his heart
The prayer(s) of dedication pleased God. The dedication established the Temple and its purpose. It showed reverence and submission to God. It acknowledged that God alone is the all-powerful and sovereign ruler, and that the people and the “leadership” were mere servants under God’s grace. Unfortunately somewhere in the process of time, Solomon forgot to “guard his heart”. Solomon’s heart went rogue.
Solomon forgot the mandate and God’s Sovereignty.
Leaders are guided by the Holy Spirit in all truth. John 14:26
With an “unguarded heart”, Solomon forgot purpose, God’s purpose, and his own servant hood. He left behind the memory of the prayers of the Temple dedication, and his promises to God. His reverence and humility to the king of Kings, changed. Solomon used his wealth and power to fulfill his own desires and gathered for himself 700 wives and 300 concubines. Say what?
Let’s put a most holy pin here on this head spinning number. Without even unpacking this decision, was this choice of a lifestyle necessary? Or believed to be acceptable to God? Or in the best interest of his leadership assignment?
Solomon did not consider how this decision would impact his heart, leadership and people. Can we even imagine the magnitude and management alone of the rotating schedule of intimacy in his chamber?
The impact on the lives of these young women, (taking out of circulation as wives and mothers). The cost to maintain them all. Their beauty regiments, housing, meals, wardrobes, jewels, hair, makeup, and servants to help.
Additionally, he allowed the women to worship the idols representing their various gods in blatant disobedience to God’s specific instructions, opening the door for destruction to enter.
Solomon failed to seek Counsel
God gives leaders specific instruction and counsel to guide them. Joshua 1:9
The question begs to be asked, did Solomon in all his wisdom really believe this was God’s instruction and will for his wealth, wisdom and life. Did he inquire of God as instructed?
What happened to Solomon and when? Is this how foolish we can become when given a measure of wealth, wisdom, power and leadership?
Did he forget grace?
Did Solomon forget that the Kingdom belonged to God not him? That he was responsible for leading by example, that he was given stewardship over God’s people. Most importantly did he forget his covenant and commitment to the sovereign king?
Solomon’s disobedience and its repercussion came crashing down on all the children of Israel and generations after them. The weight of his punishment followed the weight of the grace and leadership assigned to him.
This can be our story too. We can all become drunk with wealth, power, a little wisdom, and leadership. We can rule with oppression, tyranny, and self-indulgence.
Any leader can forget purpose and servant hood. They can believe in their hearts that it is they, not God that are in control. They can see themselves as Sovereign Kings and refuse righteous counsel.
The wickedness of the unguarded heart can lead them to believe that the Kingdom is there to fulfill their desires not God’s will. They will begin to lead with a proud and rebellious spirit, serving themselves not the people they were appointed to lead.
Solomon did not have wise people around him
“He who walks with wise men will be wise. A companion of fools will make you foolish.” Proverbs 13:20 Solomon forgot he was given a great measure of wisdom.
He surrounded himself with people who either lacked wisdom, courage or understanding. Or those that encouraged and benefited from his rebellion and were enjoying the fruits thereof. Those who line up behind him to get their share of the poison fruits.
The foolish unguarded heart in him, and the greed in them cost Solomon his leadership and intimacy with the King of Kings.
The Lord nullifies the counsel of the nations, He frustrates the plans of the peoples. Psalm 33:10
There is lesson for every leader in Solomon’s story
No matter how sweet it tastes in the moment, the joy of power, rebellion and the reveling in disobedience will not last long,nor end well
“There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.” Prov.14:12
Like the children of Israel, led by the disobedience of Solomon, calamity will come to us also at the most unexpected time. It will be swift, all-consuming and destructive.
God is not mocked Galatians 6:7
No longer fit to serve
The guarding of our hearts and keeping ourselves away from the companion of fools is especially important in leadership. It must be a daily practice. Any one of us with an unguarded and unhinged heart can be led by fools to forget God’s sovereignty and see our assignments as a Kingdom.
We will then believe the people we lead are our personal subjects. We turn away from God’s desire, and forge ahead, unchecked and unbridled with our own agenda.
Drunk with power, wealth and a bit of wisdom we go rogue on God’s plan for our lives and leadership. We begin to trust in our own strength, wealth and wisdom. With an unguarded heart, we no longer care about “Servant Leadership”. We will drop the servant part and focus on expanding our control. We roll the dice in our favor.
Diligence against a rebellious heart must be our daily focus
We must learn and practice to trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on our own understanding. In all our ways we must acknowledge him, and he will make our path straight.
Maintaining our own heart’s posture
Although we may live amongst them, or even under their leadership, we do not have to fear the unguarded, or wicked hearts of men nor the agenda or plans of man. God has a plan B for them also.
We only have to keep our hearts guarded, our steps in obedience and pray for them.
“And my eye shall not spare thee, nor will I have pity. But I will bring thy ways upon thee, and thine abominations shall be in the midst of thee. And ye shall know that I am LORD.”
–Ezekiel 7:4
“The Lord nullifies the counsel of the nations; He frustrates the plans of the peoples.”
–Psalms 33:10.
“God is not mocked, whatever a man soweth so shall he reap.”
–Galatians 6:7
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For to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.”
Nelson Mandela (a Servant Leader)
Sonia M. Wignall
Sonia M. Wignall is Co-Founder & Board Chair, Diaspora Global Foundation. www.leanintostem.org. She is also a Cultural and Lifestyle Writer. Her articles and monthly column “Perspective” can be found on Diaspora Digital News.
***Note: “I do not give permission for my writings to be used for AI purposes or content, unless my name is shown and the reference to my work is clear. My work is not AI written”. SMW