Dear Daily Message Readers,
READ: 1 Kings 3:1-15
1 Kings 3:10 (NIV) "The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this."
We read in 1 Kings 3 that God was pleased when Solomon valued a discerning heart over wealth, honor, fame, and long life (3:9-11). He promised the son of David those blessings in addition to the wisdom he requested (3:12-14). However, Solomon, who was near the age 20 when he became king, died at the relatively young age of 60.
So what happened to the promise of long life? He forgot about a condition that was connected to the promise of God: And if you walk in my ways and obey my statutes and commands as David your father did, I will give you a long life (3:14). Because Solomon did not completely trust in the Lord's commands, God did not give him long life.
Solomon's decision not to remember God's commands should be a warning for us today. You see, if we are God's children by faith in Jesus, He has promised never to leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). Yet we can still expect His loving discipline if we disobey Him and fail to rely on His Word (12:5-11). Thankfully, when this occurs, we can turn to His promise to forgive when we confess our sin in His presence (1 John 1:9).
Instead of running away from God, hold on to His promises, but don't twist them for short-lived enjoyment or satisfaction. Faith Lesson: Take God's Word to heart, but never take it for granted.
In Christ,
Darin Smith
READ: 1 Kings 3:1-15
1 Kings 3:10 (NIV) "The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this."
We read in 1 Kings 3 that God was pleased when Solomon valued a discerning heart over wealth, honor, fame, and long life (3:9-11). He promised the son of David those blessings in addition to the wisdom he requested (3:12-14). However, Solomon, who was near the age 20 when he became king, died at the relatively young age of 60.
So what happened to the promise of long life? He forgot about a condition that was connected to the promise of God: And if you walk in my ways and obey my statutes and commands as David your father did, I will give you a long life (3:14). Because Solomon did not completely trust in the Lord's commands, God did not give him long life.
Solomon's decision not to remember God's commands should be a warning for us today. You see, if we are God's children by faith in Jesus, He has promised never to leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). Yet we can still expect His loving discipline if we disobey Him and fail to rely on His Word (12:5-11). Thankfully, when this occurs, we can turn to His promise to forgive when we confess our sin in His presence (1 John 1:9).
Instead of running away from God, hold on to His promises, but don't twist them for short-lived enjoyment or satisfaction. Faith Lesson: Take God's Word to heart, but never take it for granted.
In Christ,
Darin Smith
