SATURDAY January 21, 2017
Contingent Promises
Butif you or your sons at all turn from following Me, and do not keep My commandments and My statutes which I have set before you, but go and serve other gods and worship them, then I will cut off Israel from the land which I have given them; and this house which I have consecrated for My name I will cast out of My sight. - 1 Kings 9:6-7
King David’s son Solomon was the wisest man in the Old Testament. He was called to build a house––a temple for the Lord. God had blessed him immensely with wealth and wisdom. He began his reign in great humility, dependent on the Lord who answered his prayerful request:
…see, I have given you a wise and understanding heart, so that there has not been anyone like you before you, nor shall any like you arise after you. And I have also given you what you have not asked: both riches and honor…So if you walk in My ways, to keep My statutes and My commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your days (1 Kings 3:12-14).
Notice, Solomon’s blessings were contingent on his obedience. In his greed he became more interested about his own royal house. Sadly, his heart was turned away from the Lord when he married foreign women––the king had become an apostate (1 Kings 11:4). Ironically, Solomon, although wise became a fool.
Solomon in his lifetime wrote the book of Proverbs, Song of Solomon and towards the end of his life, the book of Ecclesiastes. Despite the adversity God would send because of his disobedience (1 Kings 9:9), Solomon came to one final conclusion: …Fear God and keep His commandments… (Ecclesiastes 12:13). It would be wise not to wait until the end of your life to come to that important conclusion.
The fear of the Lordis the beginning of wisdom,
and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
~Proverbs 9:10~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit Somebodylovesyouradio.org!
