Reading: II Chronicles 1 - 7
My Verse: "As for you[Solomon], if you will walk before me as David your father walked . . . Then I will establish the throne of your kingdom . . . But if you turn away and forsake My statutes and My commandments . . . Then I will pluck up by the roots out of My land . . ." (7:18 - 20).
Solomon made a grand and seemingly sincere prayer to You, LORD God in dedicating the completed temple. You, LORD God then spell out very clearly the covenant between You and Solomon and the people. You make it very clear that they, Solomon and the people have a part to play in the relationship. Yes, You are there for them. Yes, You will answer their sincere prayers but they must do their part by submitting their hearts to You! This is not a one way relationship!
It is interesting how Solomon ended his prayer, "O LORD God, do not turn away the face of your anointed one! Remember your steadfast love for David your servant" (6:42).
Do not turn away the face of your anointed one? Does Solomon have a premonition of his falling away from You, LORD God? Is Solomon asking You to keep him from doing that?
I know that after I had asked You LORD God to forgive me and be my Savior, I prayed this often. I saw so many "Christians" falling away into their old lives, lives that did not include You. So I definitely understand this prayer. I understood that I was incapable on my own of staying the course. Philiippians 1:6 was my lifeline! "And I am sure of this that He who has begun a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ." Yet I knew that I did have a part in this relationship. It is one of those hard to understand concepts. I knew I had to keep myself turned towards You, but that I had to depend on You to help me to do that!
This is what we don't see in Solomon's life. I see no record of Solomon ever asking You to forgive him. I see no record of him humbling himself before You as did his father David. Solomon seemed to have a long slow slide from Your fellowship. His lifestyle was one of such extravagance and splendor. It was a life of much accumulating of wealth and the adoration of those around him. He kept doing all those things You expressly told him not to do - the acquiring of many wives, and "serving and worshipping" other gods.
Solomon lead a life many admired. He was considered the wisest and wealthiest king to have ever lived. And yet in the end his final conclusion was so very sad.
"I have seen everything that is done under the sun,
and behold
all is vanity and a striving after wind" (Ecclesiastes 1:14).
LORD God, help me to be ever cognizant of the fact that my relationship with You is a two way relationship. I must ever keep my eyes lifted up!
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
My Verse: "As for you[Solomon], if you will walk before me as David your father walked . . . Then I will establish the throne of your kingdom . . . But if you turn away and forsake My statutes and My commandments . . . Then I will pluck up by the roots out of My land . . ." (7:18 - 20).
Solomon made a grand and seemingly sincere prayer to You, LORD God in dedicating the completed temple. You, LORD God then spell out very clearly the covenant between You and Solomon and the people. You make it very clear that they, Solomon and the people have a part to play in the relationship. Yes, You are there for them. Yes, You will answer their sincere prayers but they must do their part by submitting their hearts to You! This is not a one way relationship!
It is interesting how Solomon ended his prayer, "O LORD God, do not turn away the face of your anointed one! Remember your steadfast love for David your servant" (6:42).
Do not turn away the face of your anointed one? Does Solomon have a premonition of his falling away from You, LORD God? Is Solomon asking You to keep him from doing that?
I know that after I had asked You LORD God to forgive me and be my Savior, I prayed this often. I saw so many "Christians" falling away into their old lives, lives that did not include You. So I definitely understand this prayer. I understood that I was incapable on my own of staying the course. Philiippians 1:6 was my lifeline! "And I am sure of this that He who has begun a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ." Yet I knew that I did have a part in this relationship. It is one of those hard to understand concepts. I knew I had to keep myself turned towards You, but that I had to depend on You to help me to do that!
This is what we don't see in Solomon's life. I see no record of Solomon ever asking You to forgive him. I see no record of him humbling himself before You as did his father David. Solomon seemed to have a long slow slide from Your fellowship. His lifestyle was one of such extravagance and splendor. It was a life of much accumulating of wealth and the adoration of those around him. He kept doing all those things You expressly told him not to do - the acquiring of many wives, and "serving and worshipping" other gods.
Solomon lead a life many admired. He was considered the wisest and wealthiest king to have ever lived. And yet in the end his final conclusion was so very sad.
"I have seen everything that is done under the sun,
and behold
all is vanity and a striving after wind" (Ecclesiastes 1:14).
LORD God, help me to be ever cognizant of the fact that my relationship with You is a two way relationship. I must ever keep my eyes lifted up!
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
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