Watching the Heart

Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life.
-Prov. 4:23

Solomon was the 3rd king of Israel. Early in Solomon's rule, God said He would give Solomon anything he wanted. So, Solomon asked God for an understanding heart to judge the people, and God blessed Solomon with his request. Out this new found wisdom, Solomon judged difficult civil cases which arose in Israel. He wrote proverbs and songs. Foreign dignitaries, officials, and wise men came from all surrounding nations to glean from his wisdom. Even the queen of Sheba came and "spoke with him about all that was in her heart" (1 Kgs 10:2). When she was finished speaking with him, she said she had heard he was wise, but now she knew "the half of it was not told" her (v. 7)!

Sadly, during the second half of his reign, Solomon grew distant from God. He took 700 wives, which "turned his heart away after other gods; and his heart was not wholly devoted to the LORD his God..." (1 Kgs 11:4). So, it was his heart that went away. His heart was no longer devoted to God. The same man who said to "watch over your heart with all diligence" is the man who let his heart drift away from God to other things. In the end, God "t[ore] the kingdom out of the hand of Solomon," and ended his reign in disgrace (v. 31).

Solomon shows us why we have to watch over our hearts. Even if we think we are wise, we can still grow distant from God. Even if we're the king of Israel, we can go astray. If we're not careful, we can let other things draw us away from God. And it all starts with the heart. Ultimately, we have to watch over our hearts because the diligence with which we do so will determine the course and outcome of our lives.