Can you believe it? We’re already at week eight of Long Story Short—our 10-week journey through the Old Testament story, from creation to the waiting for the Messiah. We’ve seen God’s faithful hand through every generation, and today, we stand at what looks like the mountaintop—but it’s actually a false summit.

At the height of Israel’s story, under King Solomon, the nation appeared to have it all—power, peace, prosperity, and wisdom. The promises God made to Abraham seemed fulfilled: a great nation, a vast land, and blessings reaching all peoples. But just beneath that golden surface, cracks were forming.

Power & Prophets

The Kingdom quickly split in two—north and south, Israel and Judah. What followed was a series of power plays:

Jeroboam built golden calves to secure his influence. Kings rebelled, priests compromised, and idols replaced intimacy with God. What looked like success was really a slow unravel

Even so, God sent prophets—faithful voices like Elijah—to call His people back. On Mount Carmel, fire fell from heaven and the people cried out, “The LORD—He is God!” Yet even those moments of repentance were short-lived. Pride and idolatry took root again and again.

Plummet & Perish

From Solomon’s golden kingdom came a steep plummet—decline, division, and ultimately, destruction. Israel was scattered by Assyria; Judah exiled by Babylon. Once a thriving nation, now only a remnant remained.

God’s message was clear: “My people have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns—broken cisterns that cannot hold water.” (Jer. 2:13)
Sin has consequences. God’s covenant love never fails, but His holiness will not be mocked.

This ancient story isn’t just history—it’s a mirror.
We still play power games. We still chase idols of comfort, distraction, and self. But God still calls us back—through His Word, through His Spirit, through Jesus

Your holiness isn’t hereditary. It’s intentional.
Are you sowing seeds of faith in your home? Are you turning from idols to follow Jesus with your whole heart, mind, soul, and strength.

Let’s learn from Israel’s false summit. Success without surrender is still a fall waiting to happen.
Instead, let’s humble ourselves like Jesus—who made Himself nothing, took the nature of a servant, and became obedient to death, even death on a cross

Because in Him, the story that once seemed to plummet now rises in resurrection power.

Message recap adapted from October 26, 2025, message by Minister Jed Logue

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