“It doesn’t get any better than this.” It’s something we say when things feel good, worries seem to evaporate, and all seems right with the world. Maybe you’ve said it on the beach, during a vacation, at your favorite restaurant, or just someplace with your feet kicked up.
It’s a statement that fits 1 Kings chapter 4, because in this chapter…
- All the officials and leaders were in place. (1 Kings 4:1-19)
- Everyone was content with plenty to eat and drink. (1 Kings 4:20,25)
- The land was secure. (1 Kings 4:21-22)
- There was peace throughout the land. (1 Kings 4:24-25)
- The king lived in lavishness. (1 Kings 4:26-28)
- The king was incredibly wise and popular. (1 Kings 4:29-34)
It’s easy to assume all of this just happened; that it was just the “luck of the draw.” But remember, 1 Kings chapter 4 is preceded by 1 Kings chapters 2 and 3. The foundation for this current prosperity and peace was laid through a past pursuit of God and a willingness to make difficult decisions for Him.
The “here and now” is a product of the “there and then.” And this “here and now” is the preparation for a future “out there.” One stream flows into the other. A future of prosperity and peace depends on a present pursuit and dependence on God…and the willingness to make the difficult decisions that will align us with Him.
If the future is to be a time when we say, “It doesn’t get any better than this,” we must pave the way in the “here and now” by pursuing God and making difficult decisions for Him…now!