JUST THIS ONCE
Micah Smith
Today's Scripture: "For when Solomon was old his wives turned away his heart after other gods, and his heart was not wholly true to the Lord his God, as was the heart of David his father." 1 Kings 11:4, ESV
Theme: Spiritual compromise always leads to division, destruction, and captivity to sin.
OVERCONFIDENCE IS A KILLER
Steve Prefontaine was legendary for his fierce belief in his own abilities. The distance runner famously said, "It's not who's the best - it's who can take the most pain," measuring greatness in terms of willpower over talent. His mental toughness and absolute control on the track were inspiring - he refused to pace conservatively or "run safe" like other runners. Unfortunately, that confidence didn't always translate into self-restraint outside of competition. His invincibility on the track fostered an illusion of control in all parts of his life.
After hosting a party following a track meet, Prefontaine made a tragic miscalculation. With a blood alcohol content twice the legal limit, he chose to drive - perhaps believing he could "handle it" like everything else in his life. That single compromise ended with his car hitting a rock wall, trapping him underneath, and cutting short a brilliant career and life. Sometimes our greatest strengths can blind us to our most dangerous vulnerabilities.
THE 70-POUND LESSON
Before kids, my wife and I thought it would be fun to let our 70-pound English bulldog up on our bed sometimes, just to see how he would react. That small compromise quickly escalated. First, he started getting up there on his own. Then he was sleeping with us every night. Then my wife started waking up with a bulldog literally sitting on her head. We had a full-size mattress, so we were being squeezed out of our own bed by a dog who was nearly impossible to move once he settled in for the night.
Here's the kicker: we were relatively disciplined in other areas of life, but for some reason we kept sacrificing valuable sleep because we knew breaking his habit was going to be tough. We tolerated a situation that was clearly not working because addressing it felt harder than just dealing with the consequences. Sound familiar?
SOLOMON'S SLOW SLIDE
Solomon didn't fall overnight. It started with political marriages - strategic alliances that seemed wise. Then came tolerance of his wives' idol worship: surely he could handle being around it without participating. Finally, participation - joining in their religious practices seemed like good relationship building. Each step felt manageable, defensible even. But compromise is like that bulldog on the bed - it starts small and gradually takes over until you're wondering how you got squeezed into such an uncomfortable position.
As a result of Solomon's divided heart, God raised up adversaries against him, and the kingdom was torn in two after his death. What began as what he would have called “strategic flexibility” ended in national division and spiritual captivity. As Jesus said, “No one can serve two masters” (Matthew 6:24a).
Make it Personal: Where are you making “small” compromises in your spiritual life? What personal problems or sins are you tolerating because addressing it seems too difficult? Is it your spending habits, your screen time, that website you only visit when no one's around, or relationships that pull you away from God? Like Solomon, you might be convinced you can handle it - but compromise has a way of gradually squeezing out what matters most.
Pray: Father, help me recognize the small compromises I'm making that could lead to bigger problems. Give me the courage to address issues now rather than waiting until they've taken over. Keep my heart wholly true to You, and remind me that what seems manageable today might squeeze out my devotion tomorrow. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Read: 1 Kings 11:1-13
Weekly Memory Verse: “If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14, ESV