Getting Started on the Right Foot

By Mark McCrary

Introduction

How one starts in any race has a lot to do with how well they finish.   The same is true in the race of life; if you get a good start, you've helped yourself a lot in heading toward the finish line.  But, it's so easy to start off wrong.  So, how do you start out on the right foot?

The story of Solomon (1 Kings 3:3-15) provides a lot of lessons for us.   Solomon had just been crowned king of God's people, Israel.  He started out like a lot of young people--his future decisions would really affect his future.   Multiple paths lay before him.  How would he proceed?

We find first that he had been worshipping God, then retired to his home in Gibeon.  That night, God came to him and offered to bless him.  Solomon was given a blank check, but he spent time thanking God for his blessings and was thankful for the faithfulness of his father, David.  He also understood he had an incredible task before him in guiding Israel.  His sole request was for wisdom so he could be a good king for God's people.  God was so pleased with the unselfishness of Solomon, he not only gave him wisdom, but riches and honor as well.  God's only stipulation was for Solomon to be faithful to Him.

What lessons are available in this text that will help young people start life off right?

  1. 't be Afraid to Make Serious Decisions, 1 Kings 3:7-8

    1. Solomon knew he had a major decision to make.
    2. Serious decisions come in life
      1. Who will be your friends?  Job?  College?  Who will you marry?  When will you become a Christian?  If you are one, have you taken it seriously?
      2. Some people act like life is only a game or joke.  Solomon realized this was a serious situation.
    3. Sometimes, life changes on one bad decision.
      1. King Elah, 1 Kings 16:9 and King Zimri, 1 Kings 16:17-18--neither took responsibility of leading seriously.
      2. Story of Lot, Genesis 13 & 19.
    4. All this means right now is you have many paths ahead of you, some will determine how your life goes.  Don't run from those decisions that require you to sit back and think.  Solomon knew it was time to get serious about life.

    Lesson:  There's nothing wrong with having fun while you are young; but, realize there comes a time when you must face the difficult decisions that come our way in life and not run from them or make them without a lot of thought.

  2. Must Recognize a Need for Guidance, 1 Kings 3:7

    1. Solomon realized he did not know what to do--how to make the big decisions ahead of him.  He needed help.
      1. It is hard for people to ask for help.
    2. Why do we need help?
      1. V. 7--immaturity and inexperience
        1. There's no shame in saying "I don't know."
    3. So, if we are smart, we will seek guidance from others, Proverbs 12:15; 13:10; 15:22.  To whom do we turn?
      1. Friends (1 Kings 12:8-11)--this is alright, but sometimes they give limited advice because they are just as immature and inexperienced as we are!
      2. Successful people, v.3.
        1. We must make sure we look for real success, though, not just worldly success.
        2. Solomon had the influence from his godly father.
      3. The most important person we can turn to for guidance, however, is God, Isaiah 9:6; Jeremiah 32:19

    Lesson:  When those big decisions present themselves to us, the wise person will seek guidance from God and other godly people.

  3. God Help, 1 Kings 3:7-9

    1. God Wants to help you.
      1. God is waiting and ready to help.  We don't have to beg.
      2. God has always made the first move toward man, Romans 5:8-10.
        1. God knows our every need and is ready to help.
      3. The Bible constantly portrays God as one entreating man to let Him help.
        1. Revelation 3:20; Acts 17:27; 1 John 4:19; Matthew 11:28-30
    2. Let Him guide you.
      1. Through His word, Psalm 19:8; 119:130; 2 Peter 1:19.
        1. He gives us a time-proven standard to live by.
        2. He places limits on behavior.
        3. He tells us the things to avoid; things that bring joy.
      2. Through Prayer.
        1. When you pray, you submit yourself to God and His guidance through His word.
        2. Though He will not speak directly to you, through His providence, he answers our prayers according to His will, doing what is best for us (Romans 8:28).
    3. Let Him bless you.
      1. God longs to bless His followers, Proverbs 10:22; 28:20; Matthew 7:7-11.

    Lesson:  When we understand the seriousness of life's decisions, and our need for guidance, we must actually let God help us, listen to His word, pray and allow Him to bless us.

  4. Service!

    1. The wonderful thing about Solomon's prayer was he sought God's guidance and help not for his sake, but to help others.
    2. To whom are we to give service?
      1. To God, Psalm 100:2; Hebrews 12:28; John 12:26; 2 Timothy 2:21
        1. We serve Him by becoming His disciple
          1. Believe, Mark 16:16; 9:23; Luke 8:12
          2. Repent, Acts 2:38; 3:19; 17:30
          3. Confess, Romans 10:10; Luke 12:8
          4. Be baptized, Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 22:16; Romans 6; 1 Peter 3:21
      2. To our fellow man
        1. Mark 10:42-44--Jesus came to serve mankind
        2. One of the apostle Paul's greatest concerns was ministering to the needs of others, 1 Corinthians 9:19-22
        3. It is the way we show real love toward God, John 21:16
    3. If you are to start off on the right foot, you must think not only of yourself, but of others as well, James 4:3

    Lesson:  To be blessed of God is to be used by God to impact the lives of others through teaching and charity.

  5. 't be too Proud to Say You Were Wrong

    1. Unfortunately, the story of Solomon turns sour, 1 Kings 11
      1. He turns to idolatry and provides places for the people he wanted to serve to worship false gods.
    2. Serving God is not a piece of cake--an easy way out with no consequences for sin (1 Kings 3:14)
      1. God is demanding, Luke 9:23-26; 62
      2. Solomon did not live up to God's demands
    3. The good news is most feel Solomon wrote the book of Ecclesiastes late in life--it seems he straightened out his mistakes from Ecclesiastes 12:13-14.
      1. Service to God is a serious matter; don't be afraid though
        1. His commands are not burdensome, 1 John 5:3
        2. If we will admit to our mistakes, repent and turn back to Him, we will be forgiven, 1 John 1:9; James 5:15

    Lesson:  Despite all God wants to do for us, He will not bless if we do not obey.  His blessing is vital if we are to live a good life.  When we stumble in the race of life, God will continue to bless us and forgive if we will only return to Him.

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