Finishing Poorly

Captain's Log: Table Time ~ Tuesday, September 16th, 2025 ~ Vespers

I wasn’t sure how much of Solomon’s downfall we would read, but I thought this would be a good one for a discussion question. I went with: “Which do you think is harder, following Jesus at the beginning, or following Him at the end?” No one said the end. Lydia suggested that at the beginning, we don’t know what we’re doing, so it’s hard. Good point. Liam declared, “Dada! I was born in this world following Jesus straight away, so…” This is the same child who has a fondness for the doctrine of election (at five years old).

‘Solomon started well, though, didn’t he? Remember what he asked God for at the beginning of his reign?’ ‘Wisdom.’ ‘But he took wives from among the nations, which the Lord said he must not do.’ *Shaking of heads in disapproval. We looked carefully at the consequences of taking these wives, his heart being turned away to other gods. 

I asked the children, “Where did Solomon go wrong?” ‘He disobeyed the Lord!’ Correct. We then spent some time on our feelings versus God’s commands. I said I was sure Solomon loved these women and found them to be very beautiful. ‘What if he really wanted to marry them?’ Some uncertainty. ‘I’m sure Solomon’s feelings were telling him it was right and good to marry these women.’ Some push back and referrals back to the commands of the Lord, rightfully so.

‘So, are you saying that when Solomon’s feelings were telling him to break the command of the Lord… he should have denied his feelings instead?’ Nods all around. ‘This happens to us all the time, doesn’t it? We are always faced with feelings that suggest we should break the commandments of God. What should we do in these moments? Choose obedience.’ Some more sober nodding now. 

We landed with Jesus in the garden, afraid, asking that if at all possible, the cup might pass from Him. His resolution? “Not my will, but yours be done.” I thanked God we had a King who chose obedience that we might have life.