(text and notes from the Life Application Study Bible, New Living Translation, Tyndale 1996)
God said to Solomon, “Because your greatest desire is to help your people, and you did not ask for personal wealth and honor or the death of your enemies or even a long life, but rather you asked for wisdom and knowledge to properly govern my people, I will certainly give you the wisdom and knowledge you requested. And I will also give you riches, wealth, and honor such as no other king has ever had before you or will ever have again!”
- 2 Chronicles 1:11,12
Solomon could have had anything, but he asked for wisdom to rule the nation. Because God approved of the way Solomon ordered his priorities, he gave Solomon wealth, riches, and honor as well. Jesus also spoke about priorities. He said that when we put God first, everything we really will be given to us as well (Matthew 6:33). This does not guarantee that we will be wealthy and famous like Solomon, but it means that when we put God first, the wisdom he gives will enable us to have richly rewarding lives. When we have a purpose for living and learn to be content with what we have, we have greater wealth than we could ever imagine.
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Solomon then cast ten gold lampstands according to the specifications that had been given and put them in the Temple. Fiver were placed against the south wall, and give were placed against the north wall.
- 2 Chronicles 4:7
The craftsmen followed God’s specifications carefully – with spectacular results. When God gives specific instructions, they must be followed to the letter. There is a time to be creative and to put forth our own ideas, but not when the ideas add to, alter, or contradict any specific directions God has already given to us in the Bible. For best results in your spiritual life, carefully seek and follow God’s instructions.
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The trumpeters and singers performed together in unison to praise and give thanks to the LORD. Accompanied by trumpets, cymbals, and other instruments, they raised their voices and praised the LORD with these words:
“He is so good! His faithful love endures forever!”
At that moment a cloud filled the Temple of the LORD. The priests could not continue their work because the glorious presence of the LORD filled the Temple of God.
- 2 Chronicles 5:13,14
The first service at the Temple began with honoring God and acknowledging his presence and goodness. In the same way, our worship should begin by acknowledging God’s love. Praise God first; then you will be prepared to present your needs to him. Recalling God’s love and mercy will inspire you to worship him daily. Psalm 107 is an example of how David recalled God’s enduring love.
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Well then, should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more kindness and forgiveness? Of course not! Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it?
- Romans 6:1,2
If God loves to forgive, why not give him more to forgive? If forgiveness is guaranteed, do we have the freedom to sin as much as we want to? Paul’s forceful answer is Of course not! Such an attitude – deciding ahead of time to take advantage of Go – shows that a person does not understand the seriousness of sin. God’s forgiveness does not make sin less serious; his Son’s death for sin shows us the dreadful seriousness of sin. Jesus paid with his life so we could be forgiven. The availability of God’s mercy must not become an excuse for careless living and moral laxness.
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So this is the point: The law no longer holds you in its power, because you died to its power when you died with Christ on the cross. And now you are united with the one who was raised from the dead. As a result, you can produce good fruit, that is, good deeds for God.
- Romans 7:4
When a person dies to the old life and accepts Christ as Savior, a new life begins. An unbeliever’s life is centered on his or her own personal gratification. Those who don’t follow Christ have only their own self-determination as their source of power. By contrast, God is at the center of a Christian’s life. God supplies the power for a Christian’s daily living. Believers find that their whole way of looking at the world changes when they come to Christ.
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But now we have been released from the law, for we died with Christ, and we are no longer captive to its power. Now we can really serve God, not in the old way by obeying the letter of the law, but in the new way, by the Spirit.
- Romans 7:6
Keeping the rules, laws, and customs of Christianity doesn’t save us. Even if we could keep our actions pure, we would still be doomed because our heart and mind are perverse and rebellious. Like Paul, we can find no relief in the synagogue or church until we look to Jesus Christ himself for our salvation – which he gives us freely. When we do come to Jesus, we are flooded with relief and gratitude. Will we keep the rules any better? Most likely, but we will be motivated by love and gratitude, not by the desire to get God’s approval. We will not merely be submitting to an external code but willingly and lovingly be seeking to do God’s will.
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Keep me safe, O God,
For I have come to you for refuge.
I said to the LORD, “You are my Master!
All the good things I have are from you.”
The godly people in the land
Are my true heroes!
I take pleasure in them!
Those who chase after other gods will be filled with sorrow.
I will not take part in their sacrifices
Or even speak the names of their gods.
LORD, you alone are my inheritance, my cup of blessing.
You guard all that is mine.
The land you have given me is a pleasant land.
What a wonderful inheritance!
I will bless the LORD who guides me;
Even at night my heart instructs me.
I know the LORD is always with me.
I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me.
No wonder my heart is filled with joy,
And my mouth shouts his praises!
My body rests in safety.
for you will not leave my soul among the dead
Or allow your godly one to rot in the grave.
You will show me the way of life,
Granting me the joy of your presence
And the pleasures of living with you forever.
- Psalm 16
v. 16:7,8 It is human to make our own plans and then ask God to bless them. Instead, we should seek God’s will first. By constantly thinking about the Lord and his way of living, we will gain insights that will help us make right decisions and live in the way God desires. Communicating with God allows him to counsel us and give us wisdom.
v. 8 By saying that he “will not be shaken,” David was talking about the unique sense of security felt by believers. God does not exempt believers from the day-to-day circumstances of life. Believers and unbelievers alike experience pain, trouble, and failure at times (Matthew 5:45). Unbelievers have a sense of hopelessness about life and confusion over their true purpose on earth. Those who seek God, however, can move ahead, confident in knowing what is right in God’s eyes. They know that God will keep them from straying off his chosen path.
v. 9 David’s heart was glad – he had found the secret to joy. True joy is far deeper than happiness; we can feel joy in spite of our deepest troubles. Happiness is temporary because it is based on external circumstances, but joy is lasting because it is based on God’s presence within us. As we contemplate his daily presence, we will find contentment. As we understand the future he has for us, we will experience joy. Don’t base your life on circumstances, but on God.
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I am praying to you because I know you will answer, O God.
Bend down and listen as I pray.
Show me your unfailing love in wonderful ways.
You save with your strength
Those who seek refuge from their enemies.
Guard me as the apple of your eye.
Hide me in the shadow of your wings.
Protect me from wicked people who attack me,
From murderous enemies who surround me.
- Psalm 17:6-9
Just as we protect the pupils (“apples”) of our eyes, so God will protect us. We must not conclude, however, that we have somehow missed God’s protection if we experience troubles. God’s protection has far greater purposes than helping us avoid pain; it is to make us better servants for him. God also protects us by guiding us through painful circumstances, not only by helping us escape them.
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Get all the advice and instruction you can, and be wise the rest of your life.
You can make many plans, but the LORD’s purpose will prevail.
Loyalty makes a person attractive. And it is better to be poor than dishonest.
Fear of the LORD gives life, security, and protection from harm.
- Proverbs 19:20-23
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