Today’s Reading: 1 Kings 3:1-15
Today’s Verse: And if thou wilt walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as thy father David did walk, then I will lengthen thy days. 1 Kings 3:14 KJV
In life, we can find ourselves doing things we know to be wrong..
Then when something happens, we complain that God is being unfair. We feel that the Lord does not love us. That He was not giving us the help He promised in the Bible.
What we have to remember is that Jesus promised a sense of His love and presence only to those who keep His commandments (John 14:21-24; 15:9-14 KJV)
When we read todays passage, we read that God was pleased when Solomon had “an understanding heart” over wealth, honor, and long life (1 Kings 3:9-11 KJV).
So, God promised the Solomon those blessings in addition to the wisdom he requested (1 Kings 3:12-14 KJV).
Solomon was 20 years old when he became king. He reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel for forty years. He died at the early age of 60 (1 Kings 11:42 KJV).
Many may question what happened to the promise of long life? Because we know back then individuals did live really long lives.
We have to remember what was said in his conversation with God.
God had told him, “if thou wilt walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as thy father David did walk, then I will lengthen thy days” (1 Kings 3:14 KJV).
But “Solomon did evil in the sight of the LORD, and went not fully after the LORD, as did David his father” (1 Kings 11:6 KJV).
Therefore, God did not give him long life.
We are God’s children by faith in His Son.
He has told us, “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Hebrews 13:5 KJV).
That is why we can always expect His loving discipline when we disobey Him (1 Kings 12:3-11 KJV).
We all have sinned and come short of His glory (Romans 3:23 KJV).
It is good to know that “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9 KJV).
Let us take the promises of God to heart. And never take them for granted.
A WORD OF PRAYER
Father, we know that all our wisdom comes from You. That living a life for Jesus is a life that must be true. Striving to please Him in all that we do. When we do spiritual and earthly blessings can be ours. With a glad heart we freely give ourselves to You. Thank You for leading us down the pathway of blessings. May we never take it for granted.
In Jesus Name We Pray, Amen