September 13, 2024
Robert Robinson lost his father when he was just a boy. Life in England was tough during the 18th century, and his mother realized she could not support her son by herself. The now single mother’s solution was to send Robert to London for training to be a barber. While he was there, Robinson became a Christian through the ministry of George Whitfield and dedicated himself to gospel ministry. At the tender age of 25, he became of the pastor of a prestigious church in Cambridge. As his fame spread, his future seemed unlimited.
Tragically, at the peak of his success, Robinson disqualified himself from the ministry due to immorality. His fire of influence burned out just as quickly as it was set aflame. Years later, while traveling by stagecoach, the former minister found himself seated by a woman reading intently from a book. Soon, she turned to him and asked his opinion on the passage she was reading. His eyes landed on the first few lines,
Come, Thou Fount of every blessing
Tune my heart to sing Thy grace;
Streams of mercy, never ceasing,
Call for songs of loudest praise . . .
After reading the words, Robinson looked away and changed the subject. After the woman pressed him for a response, tears welled up in his eyes as he said, “Madam, I am the poor unhappy man who wrote that hymn years ago, and I would give a thousand worlds if I had them to enjoy the feelings I had then.” Ironically, the same hymn seemed to capture the conundrum of Robinson’s soul with the words,
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,
Prone to leave the God I love;
Here's my heart, O take and seal it,
Seal it for Thy courts above. (Adapted from Charles Swindoll, Simple Faith).
Most of us can relate to the tragedy of leaving the God that we love during our most regrettable moments. Finding our way back to God requires a new vision for who He is and what He desires to do in our lives, along with a willingness to submit ourselves to Him. Remarkably, tucked away in the Old Testament book of 2 Chronicles is a narrative that reminds us of the essential convictions necessary to keep us close to the Lord, and to return to Him when we stray.
After spending seventy years exiled in Babylon, God permitted the tribes of Israel to return to Jerusalem in order to rebuild their nation. By highlighting key moments in their history, Yahweh reminded His chosen people of the essential principles necessary for them to reclaim their former glory. Specifically, the pattern of King Solomon’s reign was a model for finding their way back to the Lord after many years of waywardness.
Perhaps the greatest turning point in the young king’s life came during his encounter with the Lord through a dream while at Gibeon (2 Chron. 1:7-12). When given the opportunity to ask anything of the Lord, Solomon anchored his future to the plan of God rather than his own impulses or desires. As is the case with every young believer, owning the faith inherited from his father was key for Solomon. Most surprising, by far, was his overwhelming humility.
Sensing his need for wisdom in order to lead a multitude of God’s people (2 Chron. 1:10), Solomon forgoes the typical ambitions of youth in exchange for a selfless request. The Lord responds by answering his humiliation with exaltation, as evidenced by granting both wisdom and knowledge, but also by adding the benefit of riches, wealth, and glory like none who came before him (2 Chron. 1:11-12).
After years of, quite literally, being held captive by their sins, the chronicler paints a vision for the future of the Jewish people rooted in the posture of their past rather than the personality of their greatest king. God was eager to give grace to the humble after the exile, but more determined than ever to resist the proud (James 4:6). Contrary to their rebellious past, the beginning of Solomon’s reign was a vivid portrayal to returning exiles of how God can and will meet all of their needs if they will set their hearts on seeking His kingdom first (Matt. 6:33).
The same is true for us. Receiving all that God has for us requires living with open hands so that God can place in or take out as He sees fit. When we seek exaltation, God will humble us. But when we yield ourselves to His agenda, the Lord is sure to lift us up (Matt. 23:12). Our entrance into the kingdom of God is through the doorway of trusting God’s wisdom rather than our own. Salvation is impossible apart from walking the narrow road of humility.
Likewise, our efforts to seek the Lord after seasons of drifting require dying to ourselves daily as we yield in humility to God’s wisdom for our path. We are to wear our humility like a garment (Col. 3:12) and to walk in our humility with full dependence upon our Savior (Eph. 4:1-2). Stated simply, we should humbly crave divine wisdom like a young king desperate before God due to his obvious inadequacies. We need not fear the Lord because He is eager to welcome His prodigals home. The door of God’s forgiveness swings wide on the hinges of His grace if only we knock with sincere humility.
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Dr. Adam B. Dooley is pastor of Englewood Baptist Church in Jackson, Tenn., and author of Hope When Life Unravels. Contact him at adooley@ebcjackson.org. This column first appeared in Kentucky Today.
