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Our scripture reading today is from 1 Kings 9:3-9 (NIV). As always, we recommend you read the entire chapter for more insight.

1 Kings 9:3-9
The LORD said to him (Solomon): “I have heard the prayer and plea you have made before me; I have consecrated this temple, which you have built, by putting my Name there forever. My eyes and my heart will always be there.

“As for you, if you walk before me faithfully with integrity of heart and uprightness, as David your father did, and do all I command and observe my decrees and laws, I will establish your royal throne over Israel forever, as I promised David your father when I said, ‘You shall never fail to have a successor on the throne of Israel.’”

“But if you or your descendants turn away from me and do not observe the commands and decrees I have given you and go off to serve other gods and worship them, then I will cut off Israel from the land I have given them and will reject this temple I have consecrated for my Name. Israel will then become a byword and an object of ridicule among all peoples. This temple will become a heap of rubble. All who pass by will be appalled and will scoff and say, ‘Why has the LORD done such a thing to this land and to this temple?’ People will answer, ‘Because they have forsaken the LORD their God, who brought their ancestors out of Egypt, and have embraced other gods, worshiping and serving them—that is why the LORD brought all this disaster on them.’”

King Solomon was greatly used by God in many ways. He received wisdom and riches from God. He built a beautiful temple because God chose him for that, and God’s presence later dwelt there. Solomon’s dedication of the temple in 1 Kings 8 is a humble, awe-filled occasion marked by thousands of sacrifices and a prayer overflowing with faith and praise. God responded to Solomon’s faithfulness of himself and his nation as He had responded to David (2 Damuel 7) and to Solomon earlier (1 Kings 3). God promised Solomon continued blessings for his undivided faithfulness and praise to our Almighty God.

But, if Solomon, and the subsequent kings, or the people abandoned the Lord’s covenant, God would do three things. He would remove the people from their land, abandon the temple, and make Israel the object of ridicule among all people.

As I read this scripture preparing for today’s SOAP, I realized that this was another covenant between God, and Israel’s people led by Solomon. Another great opportunity for Israel to once again ‘right their ship’ and move forward with God. Solomon would receive the continued blessings of the Lord if he stayed obedient and faithful to only our God.

My mind raced to thoughts of Solomon and the busyness of his days. All the wives, all the children, the major construction projects, his wealth, interactions with foreign leaders and caring for the workers and inhabitants of Israel would surely have been impediments to his covenant. But, how could Solomon not choose to follow God?

I compared Solomon’s life to mine. I realize that I have let the responsibilities of my everyday life negatively impact my walk with God, both in the past, present, and surely in the future. So what’s the difference between Solomon and me (besides his wealth and wisdom)? JESUS! My Lord and Savior stands in the gap for my sins and shortcomings. Through the Holy Spirit, my Godly family, my Connect Group, my pastors, and Christian friends, I am gently (and sometimes firmly) nudged back into the arms of Jesus where I belong. Let’s pray.

Prayer:
Father, thank you for sending your Son to die for our past, present and future sins. Lord, during those times when we ‘nibble my way lost’, our prayer is for your Holy Spirit to direct us back into a right relationship with You. God, renew our souls and use us as an instrument for your glory.

In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Paul Lancaster