Transcript

Today's Bible Translation

Bible translation used in today's episode: Ch. 5-6 GWT, Ch. 7-9 NIRV

Podcast Introduction

It’s History Tuesday, and our reading will be 1 Kings 5-9. I’m calling this episode “Steadfast.”

Design: Scott Snider | Photo: Nicolas Weldingh on Unsplash

Comments on 1 Kings 9 and 10

At the end of chapter 8, we read that wonderful prayer of Solomon’s after the work was completed on the Temple. And in the beginning of chapter 9, we read that God appeared to Solomon for the second time and He said to Solomon, “I have heard you pray to me. I have heard you ask me to show you my favor. You have built this temple. I have set it apart for myself. My Name will be there forever. My eyes and my heart will always be there.”

My first reaction to this is, “Wow! How cool would that be if after I prayed, God would appear to me and say, “I’ve heard you, Steve.”

My second reaction is, “Maybe I need to step up my prayer life, because Solomon’s prayer was much better than anything I have ever prayed.” But of course, King Solomon was much wiser and more intelligent than I am.

But then I’m reminded that even Solomon’s wisdom and intelligence is nothing in comparison to God, so I’m ok just being me. After all, God looks at the heart and not our words. 

Don’t you think that when God appeared for a second time to Solomon after his prayer, that his heart must have been full of joy? Probably.

But then God followed up His wonderfully uplifting words with some equally sobering ones. He told Solomon that in order for all these things to remain true, Solomon and his people must remain faithful to God in all their ways. If they don’t, God will take His hand from them and He will leave them, and this now beautiful temple will be a source of shock and wonder.

You see, God knew how forgetful people are, and that they needed to be constantly reminded of who their source of strength and well being was. They are God’s chosen people not because they are special, but because He is a God of grace. It is His goodness and love that brought them out of Egypt, not anything they did. It was His might that brought them into the promised land, not their military prowess. And on and on.

God wanted the people to look at Him, not this beautiful building that they built according to His very specific instructions.

Beloved, has God used you in some way? Don’t forget who did that. God did it through you. Remember to look to Him. Sure, you can look at what was done, but remember that it was actually accomplished by God. He wants us to steadfastly rely on Him and live lives that are pleasing to Him.

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Transcript

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