Real Life by Peggi Tustan

Welcome to Real Life . “How could he be so stupid?” Dana's question referred to Samson, super-hero and mighty judge of Israel. No warrior or kingdom could conquer him. He was captured because of an area of weakness—a sexual dalliance with Delilah. [1] Even Superman has his kryptonite. King Solomon was the wisest man who ever lived. The whole world sought an audience with him to hear the wisdom God placed in his heart. [2]    The Queen of Sheba tested him with difficult questions; he answered them all. Solomon authored three biblical books of wisdom and poetry: Proverbs , Ecclesiastes , and Song of Solomon . " The Visit of the Queen of Sheba to King Solomon"  However, even wise men make mistakes. Like Samson, Solomon had a weakness for foreign women. He espoused 700 wives and 300 concubines. As Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods, and his heart was not fully devoted to the Lord his God, as the heart of David his father had been. 1

Welcome to Real Life . Our culture prizes outward beauty. God prizes inward beauty. An ugly soul can hide from most, but never from God. “The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7b He began humbly enough. But, it wasn’t long before Israel’s first king grew proud and arrogant and directly disobeyed God. When Saul rejected God’s authority, God rejected him as king. Therefore, the Lord sent his prophet to anoint a new king from among the sons of Jesse in Bethlehem. Jesse paraded seven sons before the prophet Samuel. But, God chose none of them. “Are these all the sons you have?” Samuel asked. “There is still the youngest, but he is tending the sheep,” Jesse replied. Then, he summoned his youngest son. David came in directly from the fields, no time to wash or change clothes. “Rise and anoint him; he is the one,” the Lord told Samuel. As youngest, not even David’s father