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HIGH PLACES. Queen Elizabeth was clearly unique during her 70+ year reign. And she was clearly loved by many, in part, due to her humble ways despite being queen. By all appearances she was a good monarch her whole life. About 3,000 years ago, there was another monarch who was no doubt loved by many and generally considered to be good. Solomon reigned in Israel for 40 years. But, as recently happened to Queen Elizabeth, the day came for Solomon that he 'rested with his fathers' (1 Kings 11:43). Though generally considered a good king, Solomon ended his life in utter disobedience as he worshiped many pagan 'gods.' After Solomon, the united kingdom of Israel split into the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah. What's sad is that all 20 northern kings did evil in God's sight. God said to their first king, Jeroboam, 'you have done more evil than all who were before you' (1 Ki. 14:9). And all that came next 'walked in all the sins' of those before them (e.g. 1 Ki. 15:3). What's more sad, though, is that of the 20 southern kings in Judah, only 8 were good kings. However, there's a 'but' attached to most of these 'good' kings. For example, God's Word says, 'Asa did what was right in the eyes of the LORD...But the high places were not removed' (1 Ki. 15:11,14). It was the boy king, Josiah, who smashed all of the idols in Judah and killed the wicked priests who had fostered their worship. In fact, the Bible says of Josiah, 'Now before him there was no king like him, who turned to the LORD with all his heart, with all his soul, and with all his might' (2 Ki. 23:25). But what about my life and your life? We must each ask: Do I have any idols in my life that need thoroughly smashed? Have I kicked God off the throne in some area of my life? Will God say of me, 'He did much good...but the high places were not removed.' May we strive to live for things eternal for the glory of God alone!
