Daily PresenceSample

I hate to admit it, but I can get caught up in the drama that pours out of Hollywood from time to time, and the incident involving Will Smith and Chris Rock is one of those incidents. I don’t want to discuss my opinion on the topic. Instead, I want to highlight something that was said by Denzell Washington immediately after the incident. During a commercial break, Denzell Washington said to Will Smith, “At your highest moment, be careful, that's when the devil comes for you.” Despite our opinions about celebrity drama and Hollywood, this is good advice. Advice all of us should consider.

Now, none of us are going to be nominated for an Oscar any time soon, but we all have our moments in the sun. When we are following God’s will and his blessing is pouring into our lives. When that is happening, Satan is on the prowl, and he sees us as prey. Satan was out to tempt Jesus right after he was baptized in the Jordan River. This takes place right before Jesus calls His first disciples. Satan’s timing wasn’t a coincidence.

Right after Solomon has dedicated the temple to the Lord, The Queen of Sheba comes to visit. During the Queen’s visit, she showers him with compliments and gifts. Solomon was drowning in pride and luxury. Some of these luxuries were used to decorate the temple, yet some were used for solid gold cups, solid gold eating utensils, and a massive throne with six steps surrounded by golden lions. It seems like the comments and gifts from the Queen of Sheba may have gone to Solomon’s head and swollen his pride.

Later, we read that Solomon took many wives, and he allowed these wives to lead his heart away from God and instead worship idols. Just a few chapters ago the same man dedicated a temple to the Lord before all of the people of Israel as a testament to their worship. Yet, at his peak, Solomon allowed the pleasures of life to erode his faith and taint his worship.

It’s true, the devil is a lion seeking someone to devour. Yet, we need not fear the devil. The word of God leads us and guides us in all forms of temptation. The word of God is a two-edged sword that can divide even soul and spirit – a lion cannot stand a chance.