READING: 1 Kings 8:54-60, 2 Chronicles 7:1-10, 1 Kings 9:1-9, 2 Chronicles 7:11-22, 1 Kings 9:10-14
It’s easy (and joyous) to think about how God’s blessings on us magnify His name among our neighbors and the nations. Perhaps you’ve seen a vile person gloriously transformed, a broken marriage restored, a wandering youth come home, a cancerous tumor healed, a dying church revived. God just moves among us, and we can’t help but speak of His glory and power! In the end, others learn of His goodness to His children.
There’s another time when God’s hand is evident, though—and it can be painful. God assured Solomon of His blessing as long as the king obeyed God’s laws and commands. God would be with him as Solomon walked in his father David’s steps. On the other hand, God would send judgment if the people abandoned God’s word and chased after idols. He would uproot them from their land and reject the Temple they had built. Others would then learn why all this happened: “Because they abandoned the Lord their God who brought their ancestors out of the land of Egypt” (1 Kgs 9:9). The sin of God’s people would lead to others knowing the holiness and judgment of God.
I want the nations to know about God, His holiness, and His grace. May they learn of it, though, through my obedience, not through my disobedience.
PERSONAL REFLECTION: Are you more obedient or disobedient to God today?
DAILY PRAYER: “God, help me to love You obediently without compromise.”
TOMORROW’S READING: 2 Chronicles 8:1-18, 1 Kings 9:15-10:13, 2 Chronicles 9:1-12, 1 Kings 10:14-29, 2 Chronicles 9:13-28, 2 Chronicles 1:14-17