Today's reading: Deuteronomy 25, 26, 27; Galatians 5*
S) "4 As for you, if you will walk before Me as your father David walked, in integrity of heart and uprightness, doing according to all that I have commanded you and will keep My statutes and My ordinances, 5 then I will establish the throne of your kingdom over Israel forever, just as I promised to your father David, saying, 'You shall not lack a man on the throne of Israel.'"
1 Kings 9:4-5 (NASB)
*because there are already entries for each of these chapters, I also read 1 Kings 9
*because there are already entries for each of these chapters, I also read 1 Kings 9
O) There are a few things that come to mind with this promise (which is specific to Solomon). For starters, sometimes it can seem a little strange that God would present something as hypothetical, since He certainly knows what will happen. It would seem this is a kind of anthropomorphism, so we will understand God better. In this case, God wanted to show Solomon that He is faithful to the promises made to King David. Nothing about the king's death negated the promises made, to establish the throne of David forever. But, it was made clear that God's promise was dependent on obedience and devotion. Particularly, God told him to have "integrity of heart," which is more than just right behavior. This is a matter of having a clean heart, as David himself described in Psalm 51. It seems just as likely, that God was trying to specifically give incentive for obedience because He knew the tests that Solomon would face. Solomon failed many of those tests, as he did not remain faithful to the LORD, allowing his many foreign wives and concubines to lure him away into idol worship. Immediately after these verses, God also warned Solomon about the consequences of infidelity. By laying this all out for Solomon ahead of time, it makes it very clear who is responsible for the consequences of His actions, once he began making wrong choices.
A) This promise is not for me, but this does remind me of the character of God, which does not change. Even now, with the grace of the gospel and the work that Christ did to reconcile me to the Father, and having the Holy Spirit within me, God requires obedience. He requires integrity of the heart, which is exactly what Jesus preached over and over. Nothing about the grace I received negates the concept of obedience. While my obedience does not earn me anything with God, it is still required if I am to walk in the promises He does give. The promise of peace, for example, is compromised when I have sinned and not confessed or repented. Why? I surely have no power to negate the promise of Jesus! Even still, I have no peace when I have sins that are not confessed, and I have not repented. It is by grace that Jesus offers me peace, but I cannot have it unless I come to Him repentant, humble, and willing to follow Him as my Lord. God wants good things for me. In the new covenant, there are a great many promises. I must remember that I have a role to play in them, though. I cannot take them for granted.
P) Father, You are holy and just. You require things from me, because You are God and I am not. I love You, God. Because of that love, I desire to obey You. There is nothing You want from me, that I want to hold back. Even so, I confess that I sin. Even in all of my willingness to obey, when I am walking in the Spirit, deep in Your word, sober of mind, in self control. There are times when I am not those things. When I am full of regret, I thank You that Your mercy and grace is new every morning. Please forgive me, Lord. Help me to remember the promises You have made. Thank You for them. You could have simply required obedience against warnings of punishment. You would be completely justified to deal with my sins so severely. However, You are more gracious than I could imagine, and You offer promises in obedience. Help me to keep my eyes on all that You do for me. Let me be full of thanksgiving and praise. Help me to walk in the Spirit, to glorify You in all that I do. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.
A) This promise is not for me, but this does remind me of the character of God, which does not change. Even now, with the grace of the gospel and the work that Christ did to reconcile me to the Father, and having the Holy Spirit within me, God requires obedience. He requires integrity of the heart, which is exactly what Jesus preached over and over. Nothing about the grace I received negates the concept of obedience. While my obedience does not earn me anything with God, it is still required if I am to walk in the promises He does give. The promise of peace, for example, is compromised when I have sinned and not confessed or repented. Why? I surely have no power to negate the promise of Jesus! Even still, I have no peace when I have sins that are not confessed, and I have not repented. It is by grace that Jesus offers me peace, but I cannot have it unless I come to Him repentant, humble, and willing to follow Him as my Lord. God wants good things for me. In the new covenant, there are a great many promises. I must remember that I have a role to play in them, though. I cannot take them for granted.
P) Father, You are holy and just. You require things from me, because You are God and I am not. I love You, God. Because of that love, I desire to obey You. There is nothing You want from me, that I want to hold back. Even so, I confess that I sin. Even in all of my willingness to obey, when I am walking in the Spirit, deep in Your word, sober of mind, in self control. There are times when I am not those things. When I am full of regret, I thank You that Your mercy and grace is new every morning. Please forgive me, Lord. Help me to remember the promises You have made. Thank You for them. You could have simply required obedience against warnings of punishment. You would be completely justified to deal with my sins so severely. However, You are more gracious than I could imagine, and You offer promises in obedience. Help me to keep my eyes on all that You do for me. Let me be full of thanksgiving and praise. Help me to walk in the Spirit, to glorify You in all that I do. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.
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