1 KINGS 11:40-41: Solomon therefore sought to kill Jeroboam. But Jeroboam arose and fled to
Egypt, to Shishak king of Egypt, and was in Egypt until the death of Solomon. Now the rest of the acts
of Solomon, all that he did, and his wisdom, are they not written in the book of the acts of Solomon?
In his book The Message in Your Emotions, Wayne McDill reflects, “Emotions cloud our normal
thinking processes and often cause us to react in ways we shouldn’t. We say things in anger that hurt
the ones we love most. We buy a new car in the excitement of its appeal. We cry and lose our
composure, adding embarrassment to insecurity. We laugh when it really isn’t funny because we are
uncomfortable.” It’s little wonder that a long time ago Plato wrote, “The passionate are like men
standing on their heads; they see all things the wrong way.”
Solomon was a passionate man who allowed his emotions to cause him to react in the wrong way.
When God raised up Jeroboam to chastise Solomon for his sins, instead of repenting, the king
attempted to have the young man killed. Solomon allowed his emotions to obscure his wisdom, and
the consequences were tragic.
At Solomon’s death, Jeroboam returned from exile and seized control of the ten northern tribes. He
became a thorn in the side to Rehoboam, who succeeded his father as king in Judah.
When God brings chastisement into our lives, we, like Solomon, often react emotionally rather than
wisely. Instead of allowing God’s discipline to bring us to repentance, we seek for ways to avoid the
consequences. We run the wrong direction. We become defensive of our behavior. We look for ways
to excuse our actions. We grow bitter rather than better. We see everything the wrong way.
Let God’s discipline do its work in your life. Instead of allowing your emotions to rule your reactions,
respond with a wisdom that allows you to benefit from this experience. Discover what God wants to
do in your life, and let Him do it.
RIGHT REACTION IS THE FATHER OF RIGHTEOUS BEHAVIOR.