God wants you to overcome. Adam and Eve were created as overcomers. They had perfect bodies, environment, circumstances, and a perfect Father (God). They had everything they needed but decided to not follow God and follow their own desires.

The original commandment to man is found here So God created people in his own image; God patterned them after himself; male and female he created them. God blessed them and told them, “Multiply and fill the earth and subdue it. Be masters over the fish and birds and all the animals.” Genesis 1:27-28 (NLT) 

This is the 4th part of how to overcome your world. I would encourage you to read part 1, 2, and 3 here.

Solomon, King of Israel, is a good example of overcoming. He did not finish well, but he started well. There are 4 lessons we can learn from his life about how to bring God’s kingdom to our world. Let’s first read a long passage about the success he had and how rulers from other countries were impressed. The story is in 1 Kings 10:1-8.

When the queen of Sheba heard of Solomon’s fame, which brought honor to the name of the Lord, she came to test him with hard questions. She arrived in Jerusalem with a large group of attendants and a great caravan of camels loaded with spices, large quantities of gold, and precious jewels. When she met with Solomon, she talked with him about everything she had on her mind. Solomon had answers for all her questions; nothing was too hard for the king to explain to her. When the queen of Sheba realized how very wise Solomon was, and when she saw the palace he had built, she was overwhelmed. She was also amazed at the food on his tables, the organization of his officials and their splendid clothing, the cup-bearers, and the burnt offerings Solomon made at the Temple of the Lord. She exclaimed to the king, “Everything I heard in my country about your achievements and wisdom is true! I didn’t believe what was said until I arrived here and saw it with my own eyes. In fact, I had not heard the half of it! Your wisdom and prosperity are far beyond what I was told. How happy your people must be! What a privilege for your officials to stand here day after day, listening to your wisdom!

I know you aren’t a literal king with an assignment to create the literal earthly kingdom of Israel. But God sees you as a king with a domain. It will include yourself, marriage, family, work, etc. See yourself as given a mandate to live like Jesus would if he was here on earth in your position. He wants to bring his kingdom to your place on the earth.

May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Matthew 6:33

Lesson 1: Ordered and Excellent

When the queen of Sheba visited, she was amazed at his excellence and how everything was in order. Things ran well. Holy Spirit also brings order from disorder. He always brings light into darkness. He literally did this when he created the world.

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was formless and empty, and darkness covered the deep waters. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters. Then God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. And God saw that the light was good. Then he separated the light from the darkness. God called the light “day” and the darkness “night.” Genesis 1:1-5

God likes order. When you follow him, your world moves toward and excellence. Excellence is not perfection. Be aware of perfectionism, it can drive and consume you in a wrong way. His order leads you with creativity and excitement.

Ask Spirit – What do you want to order in my life? What does your order look like?

Lesson 2: We Need Wisdom

Give me (Solomon speaking) an understanding heart so that I can govern your people well and know the difference between right and wrong. For who by himself is able to govern this great people of yours?” The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for wisdom. 1 Kings 3:9-10

We need wisdom, too. Ask him for wisdom on how to change your problems and circumstances.

If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. James 1:5

This will lead to a plan of actions. Constantly, ask for wisdom.

Ask Spirit – How do I put things in Order?

Lesson 3: We Need Others

Solomon built the temple and his city on the principles and resources of his father David. David actually already had all the building materials for the temple purchased.

David summoned all the officials of Israel to Jerusalem—the leaders of the tribes, the commanders of the army divisions, the other generals and captains, the overseers of the royal property and livestock, the palace officials, the mighty men, and all the other brave warriors in the kingdom.  David rose to his feet and said: “My brothers and my people! It was my desire to build a Temple where the Ark of the Lord’s Covenant, God’s footstool, could rest permanently. I made the necessary preparations for building it. 1 Chronicles 28:1-2

Solomon was not alone. He built on the back of others. He built with others. We need to do the same thing. Pay attention to who is in your life that you can build with and take guidance from. Walk in humility with those around you, especially your elders.

Remember the days of long ago; think about the generations past. Ask your father, and he will inform you. Inquire of your elders, and they will tell you. Deuteronomy 32:7

Ask Spirit – Who do I need to honor? Who do I need to learn from?

Lesson 4: Let Blessings Stay Blessings

Solomon became very prosperous. Overtime, prosperity stole his attention from God.

In Solomon’s old age, they turned his heart to worship other gods instead of being completely faithful to the Lord his God, as his father, David, had been. Solomon worshiped Ashtoreth, the goddess of the Sidonians, and Molech, the detestable god of the Ammonites. In this way, Solomon did what was evil in the Lord’s sight; he refused to follow the Lord completely, as his father, David, had done. 1 Kings 11:4-6

Never let the blessings move from blessings to the reason for life. Never let the blessings of the kingdom divert you from walking with God. Questions to ask yourself about the blessings God brings?

Can you let them go easily?

Will you become depressed if they’re gone?

Will your identity take a hit?

If so, blessings have become more than blessings. When this happens, eventually the blessings are removed because it has become an idol. Enjoy blessings. God likes to give them to you. But don’t allow them to become our focus.

He had warned Solomon specifically about worshiping other gods, but Solomon did not listen to the Lord’s command. So now the Lord said to him, “Since you have not kept my covenant and have disobeyed my decrees, I will surely tear the kingdom away from you and give it to one of your servants. 1 Kings 11:10-11

Consequences always come. Just because they are not here now doesn’t mean they won’t happen. God keeps a record of everything. You can only stop this by repenting.

Solomon’s story serves as a cautionary tale, highlighting the dangers of straying from God’s guidance and the importance of remaining faithful, even in times of prosperity. 

Ask Spirit – Is there anything in my life, especially what you have given me, that has captured my affections in a wrong way?