The last few days I have been reading in the Old Testament. King David has aged, and the Lord told him to set his son Solomon on the throne. Solomon had been given the task of building the Temple of the Lord.
King David had amassed a great treasury of gold, silver, bronze, jewels and cedar which he left for Solomon to use.
When the Temple was finished and the people were gathered for the dedication, Solomon prayed a prayer of thanksgiving honoring the Lord for His faithfulness and for His promise to “dwell” with His people. And then Solomon prayed over the people of Israel.
“When Solomon prayed this prayer to the LORD, he was on his knees in front of the LORD’s altar and his arms were raised toward heaven. When he finished praying, he stood up. 55 Then, in a loud voice, he asked God to bless all the people of Israel. Solomon said,
56 ‘Praise the LORD! He promised to give rest to his people, Israel. And he has given us rest! He used his servant Moses and made many good promises to the people of Israel. And he has kept every one of them! 57 I pray that the LORD our God will be with us, as he was with our ancestors. I pray that he will never leave us. 58 I pray that we will turn to him and follow him. Then we will obey all the laws, decisions, and commands that he gave our ancestors. 59 I pray that the LORD our God will always remember this prayer and what I have asked. I pray that he will do these things for his servant, the king, and for his people, Israel. I pray that he will do this every day. 60 If he will do these things, all the people of the world will know that the LORD is the only true God. 61 You people must be loyal and true to the LORD our God. You must always follow and obey all of his laws and commands. You must continue to obey in the future as you do now.’” I Kings 8: 54-61 CEV
This is Solomon’s reminder to the people. “He used his servant Moses and made many good promises to the people of Israel. And he has kept every one of them!” God keeps His word. He kept it to Moses, Joshua, David, Solomon and the Israelites and He keeps His word to us today.
And here is the key – it isn’t so we can walk around bragging and arrogant.
“If he will do these things, all the people of the world will know that the LORD is the only true God.”
God gives and keeps His word so that all the world will know that the Lord is the only true God!
Plain and simple, so much in this world changes – you’ve heard it said “everything is relative” but that doesn’t apply to God’s promises and plans.
He is the same – yesterday, today and forever!
The word of the Lord stands forever. In our Father there is no variableness or shadow of turning. God’s love, his truth, his mercy and his grace will endure – His promises never fail.
Thank you, Father! Heaven and earth may pass away but Your word, your promises, will remain forever. They will never be broken.