My Pondering

In this passage we gather a promise message from God to Solomon, God to man. Unfortunately, Solomon disobeyed and wandered off into the abyss and upset the LORD.

Though no one is perfect, God expects us to follow and serve Him. He love is not conditional for He gave Himself unto us by His Son, Jesus Christ. However, His blessing most certainly is.

God’s Word is packed with If…thens. Doubt it? Just word search the Word.

Yes, we can’t earn His love, His mercy, His grace. He loves us because we were created for and by Him; in His image.

And yes, we have free will. It’s our decision to respond appropriately or not. No excuses. We all can muster them but they are insufficient.

God told Solomon this:

IF

If you…

“LISTEN to all that I command”

We must listen to God. Not what the world commands, not what you self thinks, not your spouse, nor your children, nor your boss but what GOD commands and these commands are found primarily in Scripture.

Do yourself a favor and word search Command in the Word.

So first, we are wise LISTEN intently. To learn His Word, to hear His voice, and to pray fervently, to learn and discern.

If you…

“WALK in My ways”

Day by day, step by step we are to walk with God. This includes our entire life; in the routine of it, in the wins, in the losses, in the ups, in the downs and in flats, and in the straight and narrow, in it all…step by step. In sync with God we are move for in Him we live and move and have our being; our flow.

To walk to go wherever God is calling us. There are many good places to go yet there is only one best place and that is where you at now and second, where you are headed. We are to make the most of the present, strive forward to the future, as we learn and discern from the past.

If you…

“DO what is right in my Sight”

No if, and or buts but rather to do what is right. We must execute. We must trust God. We must trust the process; His process. We must stop just talking, just consuming and start doing and finish doing. Talk is cheap, it is action that is dear. Get it done!

Let us not forget that we need to do what is right in His sight, nothing that deviates from what God wants. Some may agree and some disagree. Some is clear and some is foggy. Some is white, some grey, some black. We must always do what is white and avoid the black. This is God’s world. We serve Him as He states, “My servant David”.

If you…

“Keep my Statutes”

It not enough to do it once and get lost. One and done is insufficient. We must keep on keeping on. There is NO ultimate finish line, physical death isn’t the end, it’s the commencement.

We need to treasure God statutes, His principles, His miracles, His precepts, His Word, His Son, His Spirit, His glory, and His ways.

Then

Then I…

“I will BE with you”

Then we we are in sync with God, He will sync with us. It the ultimate flywheel. There is nothing better than to be with God and He with us.

Then I …

“I will BUILD you a lasting dynasty”

God will build it. He will be our GC. Who could have a better partner?

Then I…

“I will GIVE Israel to you”

God gives abundantly to those who honor Him with their whole being, with their first fruits of time, talent and treasure, with their true love.

As Jesus instructed us, Commandments one and two revolve around LOVE. Love God, Love His people.

We can’t out give God but we can live for Him.

Let’s ‘Live Love Joyfully’ by listening, walking, doing and keeping God first and foremost in everything know that He will be, build and give to us.

We are more than conquers, we shall overcome for His glory!

God gave Solomon the promise of Israel. He gives each of us the promise of Jesus.

Amen?

Amen!

Bonus, a warning ⛔️

Distraction, the Enemy of Direction

How could the wisest man in history turn away from God?

How could the leader whose gifts and focus once made him the talk of the world get distracted from his calling?

The temptations that enticed Solomon continue to attack every leader. Once we “arrive,” it becomes easy to stop feeling hungry for growth and excellence. How quickly we become satisfied—and how soon we begin to spiral downward. Note how this process of decay looked for Solomon:

1. Distractions: He deviated from his call to lead and be a light to the nations.
2. Adversaries: God raised up adversaries to steer him back to his priorities and call.
3. Self-absorption: He became consumed with himself rather than his call.
4. Loss of God’s presence: God withdrew His anointing.
5. Pursuit of pleasure: He became even more obsessed with his own pleasure.
6. Emptiness: He finally grew weary of his pursuits and recognized his emptiness.

John Maxwell