May 24, 2019: SOAP #3459:  1Kings 9; 2Chronicles 8; Psalm 136; Romans 5

Scripture:  1Kings (NIV) 9:3 The LORD said to him [King 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. 4 “As for you, IF you walk before me in integrity of heart and uprightness, as David your father did, and do all I command and observe my decrees and laws, 5 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 man on the throne of Israel.’ 6 “BUT IF you or your sons 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, 7 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.

Observation:  Surely Solomon’s heart rejoiced at the first promise (verse 5).  God was making this promise at His own initiative.  It was a promise to remember!  It was a good reason to rejoice.

However, the same God on the same night also made a second promise (verse 7).  It may not have caused Solomon much rejoicing, but it was definitely worth remembering!

The history of Israel shows that God was/is faithful to keep both promises!

Application:  I must admit that I have been more open to the blessing promises.  I rejoice in God expression of care and provision.  I remind Him of what He has promised.  I see that I need to be as careful to remember His warning promises.  I forget them to my peril.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I remember singing, “Every promise in the book is mine; every chapter, every verse, every line.”  Help me remember that every promise you have made is for my good. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!