The Big Picture
In the book of 1 Kings we read the story of Solomon, son of King David, the man after God's own heart. In chapter 8 we read Solomon's recount of God's promise to David. What did God promise David?
"Then he said:
'Praise be to the LORD, the God of Israel, who with his own hand has fulfilled what he promised with his own mouth to my father David...My father David had it in his heart to build a temple for the Name of the LORD, the God of Israel. But the LORD said to my father David, 'Because it was in your heart to build a temple for my Name, you did well to have this in your heart. Nevertheless, you are not the one to build the temple, but your son, who is your own flesh and blood—he is the one who will build the temple for my Name' ' " (1 Kings 8:15; 17-19).
God promised David that he would have a son who would build a temple for Him to dwell in. At this point in the book of Kings, Solomon has just finished building the temple and has just brought the Ark of the Covenant to the finished temple. Promise fulfilled. You might think that it was easy for Solomon to fulfill God's promise because he was the son. Yet Solomon gives the credit to God! If we look back a few chapters we can see why:
"Solomon sent back this message to Hiram:
'You know that because of the wars waged against my father David from all sides, he could not build a temple for the Name of the LORD his God until the LORD put his enemies under his feet. But now the LORD my God has given me rest on every side, and there is no adversary or disaster. I intend, therefore, to build a temple for the Name of the LORD my God, as the LORD told my father David, when he said, 'Your son whom I will put on the throne in your place will build the temple for my Name' ' " (1 Kings 5:2-5).
Building the temple for the Lord was no easy task and couldn't have been done without the peace that God provided with surrounding nations. One of the greatest reasons for this peace lied in Solomon's wisdom as a leader, of which God was the Source. In the building of the temple Solomon was merely the Lord's instrument and tool.
The Small Picture
Solomon realized how much of this fullfilment was God's doing when he worshipped the Lord in the book of Kings. It was then that Solomon stood before the altar and prayed aloud to God saying, "O LORD, God of Israel, there is no God like you in heaven above or on earth below—you who keep your covenant of love with your servants who continue wholeheartedly in your way" (8:23) Read that verse again. That was Solomon's response to God moving in his life. That day Solomon expressed a truth about God that his heart had come to know over the years of his life.
Solomon had discovered God to be faithful. So many times we throw that phrase around loosely, or sing it nonchalantly in our worship. It's something I am guilty of. We forget to consider some important details like: how is he faithful? faithful to do what? And it's here that Solomon's words ring loud and clear: "You...keep your covenant of love with your servants who continue wholeheartedly in your way."
Faithfulness has a lot more meaning when I read that. Step back a moment and consider what's going on. The wisest man to ever live on earth just declared that God is faithful to keep his promises. Isn't that amazing? And when I think back to some of the promises that I have read in the Old Testament, I find no different. When God says he will do something, he does it. When God makes a conditional promise to bless those who follow him with all their heart, you can be sure that He will do it! If God says that he will discipline you if you worship other gods, you can be sure that He will do it!
God is faithful to keep His word. All of His promises to you and me are sealed in His character to be fulfilled. How precious his words and his voice then become to me! How drastically this affects the way I live, knowing that every promise of God is a sure reality. I become more convinced everyday that a strong faith is not a blind faith. A strong faith is the result of a heart that intimately knows God as a faithful God, a God who keeps His promises.
In what ways has God shown Himself to you as the faithful God who keeps His word?
May you continue to strive for a Spirit of wisdom and revelation that you may know Him better.
1 comment:
Wow, that was deep. Awesome post! One thing I found very cool was how you not only focused on how God blesses us with promises but how He also disciplines us through them. So often we tend to put emphasis on His blessings and we forget that He is much more holy than we; He is the only one worthy of worship. Recently I've been learning how we are to be faithful to Him, to love Him with all our heart, soul, and strength (Deuteronomy 6:5). While recently reading a few pages of a book called "E-mail from God for Grads," I was reminded that if we really love God then we will gladly obey Him. Yet often we fill our lives with idols; we don't cling onto the Word of God and His commandments as we should. And I know that when I make mistakes, I feel unworthy of forgiveness. Yet He is faithful and true...and continues to stretch us as He gives us both encouragement and discipline so we may continue to grow closer to Him. Our God is amazing!
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