May 22

May 22 Two Responses: Our Choice

If you love me, you will keep my commands.

John 14:15 CSB

When you're faced with a decision, what guides your response? Do you act based on emotion in the moment, or do you pause, pray, and thoughtfully consider your options? And when you sin—what’s your first reaction? Do you blame, ignore, make excuses, or repent?

In 2 Samuel and 1 Kings, we read about two kings: David and his son Solomon.

After his impulsive and grievous sins of adultery and murder in 2 Samuel, David was confronted by the prophet Nathan. Instead of hiding or excusing his actions, he humbly confessed. In 2 Samuel 12:13, “I have sinned against the LORD.” His repentance was sincere.

Though David faced the consequence of losing the son born from his sin with Bathsheba, he was forgiven. God continued to use him mightily, calling him a man after God’s own heart (1 Samuel 13:14; Acts 13:22). David’s legacy ended very differently from Solomon’s.

Solomon, known for unparalleled wisdom, tragically let his heart drift from God later in life. Despite all he knew, he gave in to the pull of idolatry. In 1 Kings 11:4 and 6 we read, When Solomon was old, his wives turned his heart away to follow other gods. He was not wholeheartedly devoted to the LORD his God, as his father David had been…Solomon did what was evil in the LORD’s sight, and unlike his father David, he did not remain loyal to the LORD.

As long as we breathe, we will face the temptations of the enemy and our own sinful nature. The question is what we will do when we are tempted. And if you do stumble and sin, what will you do then? Try to forget about it, or repent and tell the Lord you are sorry?

One king repented. One did not. We face that same choice daily. How will you respond the next time you are tempted to disobey God? How will I?

Chis Adams

*First published on www.chrisadams.blog

Chris Adams

Chris Adams is an author, speaker, blogger, and women’s ministry consultant. She retired in 2017 after serving over 22 years as the Women’s Ministry Specialist at LifeWay Christian Resources, Nashville, Tennessee. Chris helped pioneer women’s ministry as we know it today and compiled three women’s leadership books: Women Reaching Women, Transformed Lives, and Women Reaching Women in Crisis.

Prior to her employment at LifeWay she was the special ministries coordinator at Green Acres Baptist Church in Tyler, Texas overseeing women’s ministry and missions education.

For fun you can find Chris reading, spending time with family or at the beach. She married Pat in 1971 and they have twin daughters, two sons in law, 14 grandchildren, and 5 great grands. She recently became a Yorkie mom again for the third time. A self-proclaimed chocolate connoisseur, Chris is famous for her toffee.