Great is thy faithfulness (By Rev. Deacon Margaret Friesen)

Text: I Kings 8 -10
 
OBSERVATION

• Solomon has just completed building the temple (20 years of labour). Chapter 8 describes the dedication of the temple, during which Solomon gives a speech, says a prayer of dedication, then offers sacrifices to the Lord God, and “… the glory of the Lord filled the house of the Lord.”
• This is the “happy” time of Solomon’s reign when God demonstrated through Solomon all the wisdom and riches he was promised at the beginning of his reign. In 9:3-5, God again promises that if Solomon’s heart will remain faithful to God, then God will establish his throne forever. But a very clear warning as well—if Solomon turns aside from following God and the Law, then God will cut off Israel from their land and the temple will be destroyed.
• It seems clear from these chapters that God kept his promise to give Solomon all that he asked for –wisdom in understanding the people, and ability to discern between good and evil. God also gave him great riches and honour.
• The readings for today end with Solomon’s success in all things that he undertook.

 
INTERPRETATION

• What do we learn from this? Perhaps we are learning that it is better to love God and to ask of God those gifts and abilities that God wants to give his people through you, through us, his church. But we are also warned to not turn aside to worship anything or anyone beside the one true God.
• Our beginning and final reference point in Life is God. And God is the great I AM as described in Holy Scripture. God is not a mere benign force in the world, nor is God the Creator without also being our Redeemer and Saviour. And God has set his seal upon his people by the Holy Spirit.
• We are living on this side of the Resurrection. So much of what God promised in the Hebrew Scriptures has now become living Truth.

 
APPLICATION

• Think back to your most recent moments with God -what did God ask of you, and what did you promise to do?
• Thank God that God’s mercy is always available to us. Thank God that has inscribed our names in the book of Life. God offers us everlasting love and compassion (Isa.54:8a0. If we confess our sins (turn away from God), God is faithful and will forgive us and restore us to Himself.

 
QUESTION
When was the last time you promised God you would seek his will for your life and you would follow him to the best of your ability, and with God’s help? The last time we did this as a church was Easter Vigil and again Easter Sunday morning when we renewed our baptismal vows.

PRAYER
Lord God you have made us for yourself, to enjoy Your presence. Please forgive our tendencies to wander away from you and keep us on the Way of the Cross which leads to the Way of Life.

Song: Great is they faithfulness
Also available on the St. Aidan’s playlist.