How Do You Endure in Good Times?

Think of the best times of your life. Was it your wedding day? Was it the day your child was born? In those moments, we had a subtle understanding that everything was changing for the better, but there was something needed for those good times that we didn’t already have. It’s something different from what we’ve ever had.

When things are good, we think the good vibes, energy, momentum, or blessing will carry us and give us what we need. But that’s not necessarily the truth. To fully embrace those seasons and to live them well, we need something else to stay on the path that God is leading us.

Endurance in Good Times
When we think about endurance, we equate it with the hard times, but there is also a way we need to endure in the good times.

The times we don’t think we need endurance are often when we need it the most.

King Solomon was on top of the world, and some of us are statistically there, as well – opportunity, resources, safety. But probably very few of us FEEL on top of the world.

So, even though King Solomon is on top of the world, he asks God for something. Not more wealth or power, but something to enable him to endure the right way when he’s on top of the world. Discernment. Wisdom.

Discernment means to hear intelligently, listen attentively, be diligent, and obey.

There’s something implied here. It’s not just that we’re hearing and listening and doing, it’s who or what. It’s specific. There are all sorts of voices in our worlds, hearts, or desires that call us to listen to them.

Endure Don’t Drift
Many things will invite your energy and action. Negative things, but also good things. It’s easy for us to drift here, especially when things are good. So, this isn’t just hearing whatever we want, it’s hearing from God.

It’s harder to stay close to God when things are good because it doesn’t feel like we have to.

True discernment is hearing from God, understanding what he is saying, and then acting on it, in all circumstances. This is what Solomon asks for, and because he asks for it, God gives him the other blessings too.

2 Chronicles 9
22 King Solomon was greater in riches and wisdom than all the other kings of the earth. 23 All the kings of the earth sought audience with Solomon to hear the wisdom God had put in his heart.

This doesn’t mean that we ask God for wisdom. He’ll automatically give us everything we want, but a wise heart guides a good steward. This includes our days, opportunities, the desires of our hearts, and blessings.

Wouldn’t it be great if this were where the story ended? It’s not, because asking God for discernment isn’t a one-and-done.

The blessings and influence that come from a discerning life can tempt us away from the very thing that got us there.

That very thing is what we need to continually ask for and receive to dwell with those blessings properly. Part of discernment is perspective. It’s receiving God’s perspective in our situations.

Endurance Beats the Void
Most of us don’t feel like we’re on top of the world. Or maybe you feel like there’s always something out of place, or something you’re always reaching for.

We can point to people who we think are actually on top of the world, but it’s never us. And that creates a void in us that we feel a compulsion to fill.

1 Kings 11
King Solomon, however, loved many foreign women besides Pharaoh’s daughter—Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Sidonians and Hittites. 2 They were from nations about which the Lord had told the Israelites, “You must not intermarry with them, because they will surely turn your hearts after their gods.” Nevertheless, Solomon held fast to them in love.

Solomon tries to fill the void, too. Interestingly, this man who has so much keeps looking for more. This should be a cautionary tale for us. He keeps accumulating wealth. He keeps accumulating women – 700 wives, 300 concubines.

These are strategic relationships with other nations, rulers, and kings. It’s to gain power and position, but it’s also to fill a void. But why not stop at 1, or 10, or 100?

Our desires apart from God will never fully satisfy us.

The thing you feel like you need to accumulate more of will guide the direction of your heart. This is your affection – your love, time, passion, or resources.

If we don’t exercise discernment, those desires begin to wash over boundaries that God put in place for a reason. In this case, those unfulfilled desires, where discernment and wisdom have broken down, lead somewhere.

Solomon has a divided allegiance and keeps offering sacrifices on the high places. The intermarriages lead him deeper into worship of other gods. As a result, the kingdom is torn away and divided.

So how do you endure with discernment, wisdom, and in the good times? Pastor Michael and Pastor Joey break it down here.