Welcome to Tuesday, what more can we say? Well, for one thing, it is the most wonderful day. Tunes and movies once released in a flurry. Folks came to the stores just to see, in a hurry. The occasional book, it too, of a Tuesday, would find itself all up in shelves on display. So Tuesdays became a day much heralded. And inspires this writing each week as is warranted. 
Thus began this blog from our hands. It's found its way to many far, far lands. It's all about music, and life, and some things, that cause you to ponder today, about kings. That's right, it is Solomon our focus today. He was blessed as a king throwing it all away...
"Throwing It All Away" is the second single of five released from the 13th album by Genesis, Invisible Touch. "Throwing It All Away" is also the 5th song by the British band to be featured here at Tuesday's Musical Notes. (Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Invisible Touch" (Genesis), Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Follow You, Follow Me" (Genesis), Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Misunderstanding" (Genesis), Tuesday's Musical Notes - "No Reply at All" (Genesis)) "Throwing It All Away" peaked at #4 on Billboard's Hot 100 and went all the way to #1 on the Adult Contemporary as well as the Album Rock Tracks charts. Stories are that the writing of the song is in response to lead singer Phil Collins going through a painful divorce. A reading of the lyrics and one would surmise the stories have some truth to them.
Invisible Touch would be the only album that would supply Genesis with a #1 hit ("Invisible Touch") and would continue to bolster the band's 80s successes. It's 5 singles all went top 5 on the charts putting Genesis in a remote group of artists to have 5 singles from 1 album achieve that kind of success (Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, and Madonna were the other artists).
As a band Genesis has sold between 100 and 150 million records worldwide. This makes the band members, whose current lineup is vocalist and drummer Phil Collins, guitarist Mike Rutherford (Tuesday's Musical Notes - "All I Need is a Miracle" (Mike + The Mechanics), Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Silent Running (On Dangerous Ground) (Mike + The Mechanics)), and Keyboardist Tony Banks, some of the world's most wealthy musicians. (Rutherford and Banks are founding members who began the band in 1967, that's 54 years for those of you who are keeping count.)
Speaking of wealth and net worth, here is a listing that shows the musicians who are the wealthiest: Top 100 Richest Musicians - therichest.com 2021
This list is fascinating when you consider the amount of money these artists have. Adjusting for inflation, these musicians would pale in comparison to a king who reigned in Israel from 970-930 BC. We find his story scattered in the Old Testament through 1 Kings 3-11 New American Standard Bible/The Amplified Bible/King James Version of the Bible parallel, 1 Chronicles 22 - 2 Chronicles 9 NASB/AMP/KJV, Proverbs NASB/AMP/KJV, Ecclesiastes NASB/AMP/KJV, and Song of Solomon or Song of Songs NASB/AMP/KJV.
His most famous moment came early on in his reign. God had promised Solomon the throne after David died. God also promised Solomon that He would bless Solomon with anything for which Solomon requested. Solomon's request was for wisdom. Since wisdom was Solomon's request and God found that to be a good thing, God blessed Solomon with the wealth and stature for which Solomon did not ask. Solomon's kingdom and his wisdom became world-renowned. Dignitaries, specifically the Queen of Sheba, came to see the wisdom and wealth of Solomon and were astounded by both.
As Solomon's kingdom progressed, it regressed in its association with God. Solomon literally threw his kingdom away by following the gods of the many women to which he had physical relations. (anywhere from 900-1000!) Because of His relationship with David, God did not immediately take Solomon's kingdom away, but the process had begun for the nation of Israel to start its decline towards paganism and eventual take over by other countries...more about that later.
Solomon had everything one can imagine in this world. The only thing he was lacking was to rely on God's strength and resilience when tempted to follow the gods of his wives. Yes, Solomon's wives were the source of his temptation. One would imagine that having as many wives as he did, Solomon eventually wore down from the constant barrage of their instigating evil and paganism in the land. His resilience depended on his power and strength and he wound up throwing it all away as he succumbed to the evil that was circumventing his kingdom.
That begs the question, what is the source of our resilience and strength? Have we based our kingdom on the things of God or have we decided that we can handle everything through our own fortitude and power. This self-absorption is a quick recipe for our own version of throwing it all away.
Can we honestly say that our strength is perfect? Absolutely not, but we can say assuredly that God's strength is because He is perfect. His strength can get us through any temptation. God's strength and His Word supported Jesus as He was tempted by the enemy in the desert and His strength is available to us in the same way.
The apostle Paul addressed hardship when he wrote to the church in Philippi. Philippians 4:10-13 NASB/AMP/KJV The 13th verse of this passage is taken out of context so often. While the sentiment is good and goes along with today's blog, it has a laundry list of the things that Paul has survived before he can exclaim..."I can do all things through Him who gives me strength."
What is your list? What are the things in your life that you feel you have overcome? Have you been reliant on your own power or have you put your hope and provision in God? This passage portends that God is the One who can help us to overcome the adversity and temptation in our lives through His strength and His alone.
Sometimes I wonder if God doesn't join his voice with Mr. Collins pleading with us..."...Throwing it all away Is there nothing I can say to make you change your mind..."
If you take a minute and reflect on your life you soon realize that the answer to "...Now who will light up the darkness And who will hold your hand Who will find you the answers when you don't understand..." is not exactly who you may think...throwing it all away...
'Til Tuesday,
Loving HIM by loving You,
randy
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