The Lord said to [Solomon]: “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.” (1 Kings 9:3)
Sometimes it’s important to get a fresh start in life. The finishing of the Temple and the kingship of Solomon was a time for a fresh start in Israel. God renewed His covenant with His people and reminded them of the importance of it.
This was not a new covenant – it was made a long time ago between God and Abraham – and it promised that the nation would be blessed as long as it remained on a path that was faithful Him. For the sake of His integrity, God could not bless the behavior of sinful actions because then other nations might be led to believe that such actions were approved by Him. The same is true for us: we will never receive the blessings of God when we break the laws of God.
So Solomon’s meeting with the Lord was really a fresh start for the nation: follow God and be blessed, or go your own way and suffer the consequences. Wisdom teaches that we can expect the same.
When we go our own way, we will suffer the consequences of living life however we want to live. But when we choose to live God’s way, we can expect the blessings that come along that path.
Are you in need of a fresh start? God won’t reject You. Turn to Him, and He will welcome you with open arms. And when you begin walking in His ways, you will find yourself blessed.
Father, help me to live on the path of Your blessings. Let me walk in obedience to Your ways. Honor my efforts, show grace when they fall short, and restore me gently to Your paths.
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