HOW IS YOUR WALK?

1 Kings 9:1-9       

Wednesday, 09 October 2024

"‘As for you, if you walk before me faithfully with integrity of heart and uprightness, as David your father did, and do all I command and observe my decrees and laws…."   -1 Kings 9:4

Solomon had completed the magnificent temple in Jerusalem and dedicated it to the LORD God in front of the whole assembly of Israel as recorded in the previous chapter. The Lord appears to Solomon again, acknowledging his prayer and dedication but reminding him some underlying principles he and his people must observe.

The Temple was meant to perpetually bear the LORD’s name and bring glory to Him. It would display His majesty and bring Him honour as the people of God would worship and be a witness to other nations around them. The Lord reminded Solomon the outcome of:

·        A Walk of Integrity

In Verses 4 & 5, the Lord tells Solomon to walk faithfully with integrity of heart as his father David did and observe His laws and commands so that the royal throne will be established for ever. We see how David’s steadfast trust in the Lord even from his youth, continuing to his many struggles to his kingship and to the very end of his life. Though he faltered at times, he was quick to repent and return when convicted and seek God’s mercy and forgiveness and restoration. Thus God called him “a man after my heart” (Acts 13:22). The Psalms of David testify to his deep-rooted relationship with God and his walk of integrity before Him. Solomon was thus exhorted to following his father’s footsteps in being faithful to God and His commands, to walk in His way.

·        A Walk of Iniquity

In Verses 6-9, the Lord tells Solomon of the consequences of a walk of iniquity. If they would not observe God’s commands and decrees and go off to serve other gods and worship them, He would cut them off from their land and reject the Temple and Israel would become a byword and an object of ridicule among all peoples (vs.6-7). God was strong in his words of rejection if they dishonour Him in idol worship and turn from His ways. He would bring disaster on the people and the land when they forsake Him in embracing and giving their allegiance to other gods and religions.

Solomon walked before the Lord for a time but was led astray by the many wives he acquired; his heart was turned away from God. “So Solomon did evil in the eyes of the LORD; he did not follow the LORD completely, as David his father had done.” (1 Kings 11:6). The consequences befell Solomon, his sons and his people as the Lord had declared and in the many generations that followed when they fell into iniquity.

They who have trusted Jesus as their Saviour and Lord are God’s people at the present time. In fact the Bible reminds the believer: “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.” (1 Cor.6:19-20). The believer is God’s temple today, bearing His name and being a witness with his/her consecrated life of integrity to the Lord. If we turn away from Him and walk in the erroneous ways of the self or in iniquity, we fail Him. The Lord corrects His people through His Word or His servants and if we heed to Him, we can continue to have His favour in our lives. Otherwise we face the rod of discipline to make us turn back to Him.

Can we examine ourselves today which way we are walking and choose to walk in the LORD’s way?

Promise: For His anger is but for a moment,

                 His favor is for a lifetime;…

                       (Psalm 30:5 NASB)

Listen: 'LORD I give You my heart'