1 Kings 8:25 “Now LORD, God of Israel, keep for your servant David my father the promises you made to him when you said, `You shall never fail to have a man to sit before me on the throne of Israel, if only your sons are careful in all they do to walk before me as you have done.'”

It has seemed incredible to me that Solomon could have prayed such an anointed prayer and then failed to grasp the implications and so live in faithful humility. But then I remember the course of my own life, and know that it is only by the grace of God that I have not fallen as Solomon did. In this particular instance, Solomon specifically quoted the conditions of God’s promise never to take the kingdom from David’s descendants: being careful in all they did to walk before God as David had done. Then, Solomon himself came to take the blessings of God for granted, and practiced idolatry simply to placate the wives he had married for political advantage. Such an incredible waste! However, we human beings all have a tendency not to look beyond the tip of our nose. We need to consider, believe, and trust the promises of God, understanding the conditions that apply to them and being deeply grateful for the grace of God. Only then will we walk fully in the fulfillment of those promises.

This is the story of my life! As Paul said of Timothy, I have “known from infancy the holy Scriptures,” (2 Timothy 3:15) but I have been far from consistent in applying them over the course of my life. At least, unlike Solomon, I have gotten somewhat better at it as I have grown older! There is always the danger of complacency, of taking it all for granted, and I must avoid that at all cost. As I deal with others, I must remember God’s grace toward me and let it flow through me to them as well. There are constant opportunities to do that, so I must always maintain my connection to the Source, so that what comes out of me may be of God and not just of me. I am to seek to apply the Word in every area of my life at all times, so that I may not deceive myself (James 1:22) and so that the Word may accomplish that for which God sent it. (Isaiah 55:11)

Father, thank You for Your truly amazing grace. Thank You for the day yesterday, and all the rich treasures it held. Thank You for today, and all You have planned in it. May I be fully available and responsive to You so that You may do in and through me all that You desire, blessing each person I am with, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!