Do you ever feel like quitting? Maybe it’s your boss, your company, your marriage, or just your circumstances in life. For some, all it takes is watching the news, and the seeds of despair take root. Terrorism, violence on our streets, the drug epidemic, the decline of the traditional family, the coronavirus pandemic! Sometimes it’s just too much.
Despite his great wisdom, Solomon was a quitter. His dad was David, a man after God’s heart. Solomon started out so well, building the temple and enjoying peace in his kingdom. Instead of asking for riches, Solomon asked God for wisdom and God blessed him with wisdom and wealth. All these factors played in his favor, yet he turned away from the Lord and followed other gods. God told him, “Since this is your attitude and you have not kept my covenant and my decrees, which I commanded you, I will most certainly tear the kingdom away from you and give it to one of your subordinates.” (1 Kings 11:11) Later in the chapter we read of God’s intention to divide Solomon’s kingdom, and establish a northern headquarters in Samaria. In the 200-plus years of the northern kingdom’s existence, not one of its 19 monarchs was godly. Instead, they led Israel into deep sin and idolatry. And in the 340-plus years of the southern kingdom’s existence, only a handful of their kings walked with God—some of those inconsistently. Some legacy Solomon left!
Why do some men quit, and others don’t? Men like Abraham Lincoln and Thomas Edison come to mind as men who persevered amid terrible defeat and disappointment, yet they persevered and became renowned for their achievements.
Paul explains that “suffering produces perseverance.” (Romans 5:3) But that’s only if we endure. If we give up under suffering, we lose perseverance. The next verse goes on to say that “perseverance produces character.” (Romans 5:4) Men like Lincoln and Edison developed strong character because they persevered under suffering. Men who continually quit develop character flaws.
None of us likes suffering. But it’s interesting that Solomon failed to persevere when everything was going well! He had it all—wine, women, wealth, and wisdom. Perhaps he needed some suffering! Whatever your situation, whether you’re suffering, or just bored because everything is going well for you, don’t quit! “You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised.” (Hebrews 10:36)
Scripture Reading: Galatians 6:9
Personal Application: What safeguards can you place in your life to prevent you from ever quitting your relationship with God? To whom do you look in your life for encouragement and accountability?
Jim Grassi, D. Min.
We cherish any verse in Scripture that reminds us to keep focused and intentional about evangelism and discipleship. “But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.” 2 Timothy 4:5