How Is The Promise Fulfilled and Maintained?
When Solomon had finished building the temple of the LORD . . . the LORD appeared to him a second time, as He had appeared to him at Gibeon. The LORD said to him:
"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 . . . I will establish your royal throne over Israel forever, as I promised David your father . . . .
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 I 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 . . . that is why the LORD brought all this disaster on them.'" I Kings 9:1-9
"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 . . . I will establish your royal throne over Israel forever, as I promised David your father . . . .
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 I 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 . . . that is why the LORD brought all this disaster on them.'" I Kings 9:1-9
God first appeared to Solomon and promised to bless him with wisdom and wealth because he had put God's kingdom agenda before his own needs. God fulfilled His promise and Solomon became the richest and wisest of all kings. Solomon built a magnificent temple for God.
For the second time, God appeared to Solomon and promised that He had consecrated the temple and put His Name on it forever. He promised that His heart and eyes will always be on the temple. But God also reminded Solomon that the continued enjoyment of His promises were contingent upon Solomon and the Israelites playing their part as well. Their part was to obey.
God cautioned Solomon: "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 I 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." Again, we see the heart of God and the things that are dearest to Him. Obedience is God's dearest thing.
God desires to bless His children in astonishing ways, but His greatest desire is to have a close relationship with us. When we walk closely and faithfully with God, we don't even have to worry about our needs being met or blessings being bestowed upon us. Our paramount concern should always be to give God first place in our lives and walk obediently with Him.
That is how the Promises of God are fulfilled and maintained in our lives.
For the second time, God appeared to Solomon and promised that He had consecrated the temple and put His Name on it forever. He promised that His heart and eyes will always be on the temple. But God also reminded Solomon that the continued enjoyment of His promises were contingent upon Solomon and the Israelites playing their part as well. Their part was to obey.
God cautioned Solomon: "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 I 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." Again, we see the heart of God and the things that are dearest to Him. Obedience is God's dearest thing.
God desires to bless His children in astonishing ways, but His greatest desire is to have a close relationship with us. When we walk closely and faithfully with God, we don't even have to worry about our needs being met or blessings being bestowed upon us. Our paramount concern should always be to give God first place in our lives and walk obediently with Him.
That is how the Promises of God are fulfilled and maintained in our lives.
Prayer: Father, I thank you for the many promises you have made to me and the many blessings you have in store for my life. Please help me to put you first in all things at all times. Help me never to reject you or your word but to always love and honor you. Amen.