Listening to James MacDonald’s radio program “Walk in the Word” tonight, I was encouraged by something he said. In his message he spoke of how the Bible is attacked and maligned with such vengeance on college campuses and elsewhere. We seldom see such attacks against the Book of Mormon, or the Quran, or any other spiritual literature – just the Bible. He said the reason we don’t see such attacks against the others is that they just don’t reflect true realities like the Bible does. It encouraged me in a strange, but substantive way. The reason the Bible is so attacked and maligned by so many is that it really does matter. It IS the Word of God. It does have the Words of Life. It is a living, breathing, life-giving light in a very dark world. It changes people. It brings peace during chaos. It offers hope amidst utter devastation. And it has withstood such fierce attacks for centuries – and it’s not going away. The darker the world gets, the brighter it shines. What is really remarkable is how it has won over some of its most dedicated critics. Simon Greenleaf attempted to show by his widely accepted rules of testimony, that the four gospels were either collusion, or the telling of different stories – he wrote “Testimony of the Evangelists”. Josh McDowell set out to prove that the evidence refuted the resurrection of Jesus – he wrote two volumes of “Evidence That Demands a Verdict”. Viggo Olsen set out to prove the Bible to be scientifically inaccurate – he wrote “Daktar, Diplomat in Bangladesh”. Antony Flew spent most of his life lecturing and writing against the Bible and promoting Atheism – he wrote “There is a God.” The list goes on and on. Time-and-time-again, the Bible wins over those who honestly oppose it and try to refute it by studying it to expose its weaknesses. Instead of weaknesses, they find it to be the powerful word of God. Instead of holes, they find it to be the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. Instead of inaccuracies, they find insights missed by centuries of scientific enquiry. Instead of oppressive legalism, they find life-giving grace. Instead of irrelevance, they find it to more accurately describe the state of mankind and this world than any other work in existence. Instead of a hateful mean-spirited God, they find a God who loves them so much that He sacrificed what was most precious to save them. They find that the Bible really does matter! And that is the reason it comes under such relentless assault. Something in us chafes when faced with ultimate authority. Part of our fallen nature wants to lash out at anything that claims authority. Every time I see one of those bumper-stickers that read “Question Authority”, I want to reply, “Who says I have to?” I do not think God feels the least bit threatened when His word comes under attack, and I don’t think I need to lose heart about it either. His word will stand, when all others are proven false. Communism could not blot out God’s Word – there were hundreds of times more Christians in China when it opened up to the west in the 1980s than when it kicked out the missionaries in 1949. Nazism could not overcome the Bible – it only proved the depravity of man and drove many, including Jews to the Bible. Rome could not keep the New Testament from being written – its road system became the Bible’s distribution network to the world. Materialism could not make God’s truth unnecessary – its emptiness highlighted the Bible’s substance. Darwinism could not explain away the creator – it only reveals more of God’s glorious creation. Neither will the “New Atheism” prove the Bible irrelevant or harmful. So I need not lose sleep when someone with fancy credentials or notoriety lashes out at the Bible. I don’t think God is wringing His hands over it, neither should I. Instead I can sit back and watch the glory of God as He triumphs over the most “formidable” of His detractors. Yet like God, I need not see them as enemies to be eliminated. He has drawn some of His best workers from such stock. I think of the Apostle Paul, at one point committed to the elimination of this troublesome sect from the face of the earth. Even before his conversion, all he accomplished was to spread its followers over the known world by his acts of oppression. What encourages me about all of this is that I don’t need to “defend” the Bible. It will stand on its own merit. It will defend itself better than I ever will be able. All I need do is present it. God’s Word will sink down into the hearts of people, even the most hardened, and kindle that flame so long smothered. It will inspire even the most lifeless. It will give hope to the most discouraged. It will bring light to the deepest dungeon. It will bring a song to the spiritually deaf and dumb. For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Hebrews 4:12 (New International Version, ©2011)

Jesus Christ is the embodiment of Divine wisdom. Through the person of Christ, we live in power, seated in the heavenlies, protected by His armor. To choose truth is to choose Christ.

King Solomon learns life lessons from his experience as King of Israel. We glean wisdom from his allies, his enemies, and his choices to follow God.

King Solomon experienced God's revelation in a powerful way. We can also learn insight, discernment, and guidance by studying God's Word.

King Solomon built a magnificent temple for God and an even more splendid palace for himself. Instead of increasing his devotion to God, he began to love foreign women and build his life on worldly things.

The life of King Solomon teaches us the context for his wisdom literature. The life lessons the wise king learned are practical, powerful examples of how to live a godly life.

Friends, no matter how close, will hurt each other. Learning to be offended and still forgive is part of spiritual and emotional maturity.

Friends Tell Us The Truth Friends who have our best interest at heart can confront us when we need it. Solomon penned this powerful proverb about loving confrontation in Proverbs 27: 5-6: “Better is open rebuke than hidden love. Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.” Proverbs 27:6 NIV Nathan was a trusted friend that loved his monarch enough to tell him the truth. We know that Nathan the prophet had rebuked King David for his adultery with Bathsheba (2 Sam. 12:7). The same prophet who brought down scathing judgment upon his father also loved David and remained his trusted advisor when the King repented (2 Samuel 7:17). The prophet assured David that his throne would be established forever. He prophesied that David’s son (Solomon) would build the temple. Nathan was present at Solomon’s birth and gave him the nickname “Jedediah”-beloved of God (2 Samuel 12:25). Nathan also rescued Solomon from Adonijah’s attempt to overthrow his throne. Young Solomon was advised by Nathan to ride David’s donkey to Gihon and be anointed as king by Zadok the priest (1 Kings 1:38-40). Because of Nathan’s advice to David and his cool head in a crisis, Solomon was able to ascend his rightful throne (1 Kings:1-24-27). Solomon knew that his father David had sinned, but he saw firsthand the courage it took for Nathan to confront his father. The prophet’s life was on the line. Nathan loved David enough to confront his king. • Have you ever had someone confront you about a blind spot in your life? What was your response? • Are you able to sort out whether the rebuke you received was given in love or in spite? Was the criticism valid? A LOVING WARNING David heard that his son has been murdered! He was overcome with grief and despair. Such great sorrow clouded his thinking and caused him to forget his responsibility to his nation and his loyal troops. In 2 Samuel 18:33 Absalom’s father laments his son’s death: “The king was shaken. He went up to the room over the gateway and wept. As he went, he said: “O my son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you—O Absalom, my son, my son!”) (Joab was told, “The king is weeping and mourning for Absalom.” And for the whole army the victory that day was turned into mourning, because on that day the troops heard it said, “The king is grieving for his son.” The men stole into the city that day as men steal into the city that day as men steal in who are ashamed when they flee from battle. The king covered his face and cried aloud, “O my son Absalom! O Absalom, my son, my son!.” NIV Do you know what David needed? He needed a friend who could objectively observe the situation and warn the king of his devastating mistake. Before the troops could revolt, Joab cared enough to confront his king. In 2 Samuel 19:5-7 we read Joab’s rebuke: “Then Joab went into the house to the king and said, “Today you have humiliated all your men, who have just saved your life and the lives of your sons and daughters and the lives of your wives and concubines. You love those who hate you and hate those who love you. You have made it clear today that the commanders and their men mean nothing to you. I see that you would be pleased it Absalom were alive today and all of us were dead. Now go out and encourage your men. I swear by the Lord that if you don’t go out, not a man will be left with you by nightfall. This will be worse for you than all the calamities that have come upon you from your youth till now.” NIV By warning David of the troop’s discontent, Joab risked his position as general. The sorrowful king could have him executed. But Joab took the risk and saved David’s throne. Friends can confront each other because they are committed to the relationship. Mutual trust and affection build a strong foundation for a friendship. The king knew that his general loved him and wanted to protect him. David listened and repented. Because of Joab’s counsel, his reign was secure. “So the king got up and took his seat in the gateway. When the men were told, “The king is sitting in the gateway,” they all came before him.” 2 Samuel 19:8 NIV • Have you ever felt like the mantle of leadership was too difficult to bear? Why? • Who has come into your life to encourage you? • What benefits have you reaped from listening to wise counsel? BETRAYAL IN THE PALACE Unlike Nathan, Joab did not remain David’s friend. He lost respect for his monarch and ultimately betrayed him. King Solomon felt that betrayal deeply. He emphasized the importance of true, loyal friends in Proverbs 20:28: “Love and faithfulness keep a king safe; through love his throne is made secure.” NIV Joab embodied the traitorous advisor who turned from friend to foe. He was one of David’s greatest warriors, the charismatic general of Israel’s armies.(2 Samuel 20:23). Even after Joab’s rebuke, David continued to love and rely on him. That was a mistake. King David was Joab’s hero, and Joab felt his king had let him down. The trusted leader of David’s armies murdered his two commanders-Amasa and Abner (1 Kings 2:5b). Near the end of his life, one of David’s parting instructions to Solomon were to kill Joab. (1 Kings 2:6). After Solomon ascended the throne, Joab was the number one man to support Adonijah’s treasonous rebellion. Sadness seems to permeate the words of Solomon in Proverbs 19:4 and 6. The king may have been revealing the insecurity he felt about loyal confidants. We know that Solomon’s name meant “peace” and that his warrior father was wildly popular. Because Solomon was so young when he ascended the throne (historians say he was between the ages of 12 and 20), Solomon was probably leery of those who pretended to be his allies. The young leader had watched the betrayal and court intrigue during his father’s reign in the form of murder, incest, and treason. After Solomon ascended the throne, Joab was the number one man to support Adonijah’s treasonous rebellion. Joab’s traitorous actions cost him his life. “When the news reached Joab, who had conspired with Adonijah though not with Absalom, he fled to the tent of the LORD and took hold of the horns of the altar. King Solomon was told that Joab had fled to the tent of the LORD and was beside the altar. Then Solomon ordered Benaiah son of Jehoiada, "Go, strike him down!" (1 Kings 2:28-29) NIV Solomon probably never knew who his real friends were. • Do you have difficulty trusting others? Why or why not? • Are you discerning about the friends you choose? • If you have suffered betrayal, do you find it difficult to commit to another relationship? Why or why not? Friends impact our lives. We must choose our friends wisely. When we choose correctly, it is like perfume to the heart. “Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart and the pleasantness of one's friend springs from his earnest counsel” (Proverb 27:9). If we are in the company of good friends, we become better people. If we associate with unscrupulous friends, we become worse. Proverb 12:26 affirms this fact: “A righteous man is cautious in friendship, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.” NIV APPLYING THE TRUTH Read Proverbs 27:6; Proverbs 20:28; Proverbs 19:4 and 6; Proverbs 27:9; Proverbs 12:26 Write out the Scripture(s), thought(s), and question(s) from today’s devotional that you want to spend more time thinking about. What will you apply to your life?   King Solomon observes that honesty is essential to true friendships, but Paul tells us to speak the truth in love.

Motivation-a passion to get wisdom, acquisition-a careful study of God's Word, application-a pragmatic integration of truth into daily life, and persistence-a continuous pursuit of truth will bring depth and grace to a wise man or woman.