My Vanities
BRD REFLECTION 2025
2 Chronicles 7:1-22; 8:1-18 and Psalm 84:1-12 (NIV)
(Lau Lee Fang from Discipleship and Nurture Ministry)
READ:
2 Chronicles 7: 1-3
The Lord gave Solomon the honour to build His temple, blessed and affirmed him with His glorious presence in front of all the Israelites.
2 Chronicles 7: 12-22
The Lord appeared and:
- prepared Solomon for His blessing by teaching him to observe the Lord’s movements, humble repentance (v13-15),
- assured Solomon of His presence and promises (v16-18),
- and revealed the consequences of turning away from His decrees and commands.
2 Chronicles 8:11
Solomon built a palace for Pharaoh’s daughter.
OBSERVE:
Blessed with wisdom and favour from the LORD, Solomon achieved greatness and lived in unparalleled lavishness … and forgot what the Lord had asked of him.
Alongside his service to the LORD, Solomon fed his vanity for exotic women (1 Kings 11:1-3) that turned his heart from the Lord to other gods (1 Kings 11:4-6). It angered the Lord and led Him to tear the kingdom away from Solomon (1 Kings 11:9-11).
Solomon’s vanities were pretty much left unchecked and no one reminded him to remain faithful to the Lord.
APPLY:
Vanities can creep up on me easily, so I must guard my heart against all vanities that can begin subtly but grow monstrously big (starting with one, Solomon ended with one thousand women) if left unchecked.
Journeying with fellow true disciples of Christ for accountability can help.
Maturing in emotional and spiritual health personally enables me to allow others to correct me and not stray.
DO:
I have learned examen, a prayer of reflection and will practice this consistently to check my heart that I may make things right with God quickly, have Him hear from heaven and forgive my sin.
I also have a community of companions in Christ and I have given them the authority to check on and correct me. I will be mindful to keep that going by spurring them on in Christ as they have done so to me.
PRAY:
Father God, have mercy on me, a sinner; give me grace to rest in You, resist vanities and serve You humbly always, through Christ Your Son, Amen.
