Spend time in prayer and silence with God asking Him to meet with you and speak to you.
Bible Reading
When Solomon had finished building the temple of the Lord and the royal palace, and had achieved all he had desired to do, the Lord appeared to him a second time, as he had appeared to him at Gibeon. The Lord said to him:
“I have heard the prayer and plea you have made before me; I have consecrated this temple, which you have built, by putting my Name there forever. My eyes and my heart will always be there.
“As for you, if you walk before me in integrity of heart and uprightness, as David your father did, and do all I command and observe my decrees and laws, I will establish your royal throne over Israel forever, as I promised David your father when I said, ‘You shall never fail to have a man on the throne of Israel.’
“But if you or your sons turn away from me and do not observe the commands and decrees I have given you and go off to serve other gods and worship them, then I will cut off Israel from the land I have given them and will reject this temple I have consecrated for my Name. Israel will then become a byword and an object of ridicule among all peoples. And though this temple is now imposing, all who pass by will be appalled and will scoff and say, ‘Why has the Lord done such a thing to this land and to this temple?’ People will answer, ‘Because they have forsaken the Lord their God, who brought their fathers out of Egypt, and have embraced other gods, worshiping and serving them-that is why the Lord brought all this disaster on them.’ ”
– 1 Kings 9:1-9
Devotion
After the temple and palace were completed God appeared to Solomon for the second time. In this instance, God issued a warning to Solomon to remain faithful to Him and His commands. This encounter includes a promise of protection on the condition of Solomon’s faithfulness, but a warning of discipline if Solomon strays from God. Sadly, as the story plays out, we will see that Solomon began to stray from God’s commands shortly after this encounter.
The New Testament does not teach the same sort of prosperity for obedience and punishment for disobedience guidelines that God laid out for national Israel. Instead, we should expect challenges in life even when we are living in obedience (John 15:18-25). The truth remains, however, that it is God’s will that we should live in obedience to Him. When we do, we may not experience constant health, wealth, and prosperity, but we will go through every challenge in life with Him by our side.
The Big Question
Are you living in obedience to God? What are some areas of your life that you need to bring under His control?
Conclude your time in prayer and silence reflecting on what you have learned.