May 18

Now the LORD grew angry with Solomon, because his heart had turned away from the LORD, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice. — 1 Kgs 11:9 BSB

Matthew Henry says: “God keeps track of all the times He has appeared to us and helped us, even if we don’t. He knows how often He has shown His favor to us, and He will remember it against us if we turn away from Him.”

The more we know about God and the more favor He shows us, the greater our sin if we abandon Him and return to our old ways.

When Solomon saw the Lord in a vision—not once, but twice—he should have been fully devoted to God forever. The eyes that had seen the Lord should never have lusted after worldly pleasures. The hands that had built a glorious temple for God should never have built altars for false gods. Solomon’s sins were far greater because of the blessings God had given him.

Have we seen Christ? Has He appeared to us in prayer, or at the communion table? Let us not forget that having seen Christ should set us apart forever for His service and a holy life.