Thursday, July 7, 2022

            I Kings is a book of history in the Old Testament.  At the beginning, David is nearing his death and preparing to hand off the throne to Solomon.  One of Solomon’s crowning achievements (and likely his biggest) was the building of the temple of the LORD in Jerusalem.  While David had wanted to build this temple, it was Solomon whom God chose to complete the project.  In I Kings 8, Solomon offered a prayer of dedication.  We read, “Lord, the God of Israel, there is no God like you in heaven above or on earth below—you who keep your covenant of love with your servants who continue wholeheartedly in your way. You have kept your promise to your servant David my father; with your mouth you have promised and with your hand you have fulfilled it—as it is today” (I Kings 8:23-24).  In this portion of Solomon’s prayer, the young king identified two powerful lessons about the Lord that we need to see.
            First, God is incomparable and without equal.  There is no comparison to the Lord God.  There is no one like Him.  Satan is not God’s equal.  He’s not in any way comparable to God.  Satan is a created being and cannot be held in comparison with the Creator God anymore than we can.  When we worship the Lord, we realize that we are giving our worship to the only One who is worthy of such things.  Isaiah saw the Lord as high and lifted up.  The Psalms testify to the majesty and greatness of the Almighty.  God has no equal and no one who is even close to His standing or footing.  In I Chronicles 17:20, in a prayer from David, we read, “There is none like you, O LORD, and there is no God but you, as we have heard with our ears.”
            Second, Solomon’s prayer teaches us that God is trustworthy and reliable.  He is a promise keeper and a way maker.  We can build our faith upon His promises and Word.  Whatever God promises, His hand delivers and honors.  Solomon could observe the faithfulness that God showed to his father David.  And Solomon knew this faithfulness first hand as God honored and blessed him with wisdom and the great privilege of building this amazing temple.  Psalm 37:3 says, “Trust the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.”  Perhaps today you have experienced family or friends or employers who have broken promises to you or even deceived you.  Perhaps you find it hard to know what or whom to trust.  Solomon teaches us that God is always faithful and true to His promises and His people. 
            When the temple was completed, the people had a place where they could gather before the LORD to offer gifts, sacrifices, offerings and worship.  But they also had a place where they could ponder the greatness of God and the faithfulness of His Word.  These two realities help to strengthen us today.  No matter what kind of day you may be having, you can remember that God is both great and good.  You can remember that God is faithful and will continue to walk with you.  Remember the words of Paul in Philippians 1:6, “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will be faithful to carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”  Have a great Thursday!