"And may these words of mine, with which I have made supplication before the LORD, be near the LORD our God day and night, that He may maintain the cause of His servant and the cause of His people Israel, as each day may require, that all the peoples of the earth may know that the LORD is God; there is no other. (1 Kings 8:59-60)

This is one of Solomon’s finest moments.  God has fulfilled the wishes of his father David.  Israel has gathered to dedicate the temple and to offer thanksgivings to God.  At the close of the prayer fire from heaven consumed the offerings and sacrifices and the glory of the Lord filled the house.  The ceremony was followed by sacrifice on a scale of unusual grandeur.  It was a great day!

Perhaps you’ve had a day in your lifetime when you realized the completion of a lofty goal.  If not, you surely have dreams of the future.  Such aspirations are valuable because they energize us to reach for greater heights.  Solomon was living the dream of his father David.

Our goals may be found in various arenas of life- our job, our family, our neighborhood, our church.  Some dreams are very personal, others involve family or community.  The noblest ambitions are those that will benefit our fellows.

These goals must be guided by the word of God.  Solomon entreats Israel:  "Let your heart therefore be loyal to the LORD our God, to walk in His statutes and keep His commandments, as at this day." (1 Kings 8:61)   God has given us a road map to follow.  We can only be successful when our desires follow the path given by our Creator.

All of our ambitions must be tempered by God’s purposes.  We have been placed in this world by a master craftsman and wonderfully made in his image.  Our Creator designed us for a heavenly purpose.  Solomon targets that purpose with these words: that all the peoples of the earth may know that the LORD is God; there is no other. (1 Kings 8:59-60)  

We were born to manifest the glory of God.  If our aspirations are in harmony with God’s, our light will shine and others will glorify Him as well.  

By George Slover



 

These same thoughts were posted on June 11.  I realize I had given it the wrong title, so I'm posting again.  

"The God of Israel said, The Rock of Israel spoke to me: 'He who rules over men must be just, Ruling in the fear of God. (2 Samuel 23:3)

The current political scandals has caused me to reflect upon the character of those who rule our nation.  Leaders from all of the political parties lead dissolute lives.  All of them promise a utopia that will never be attained in this world, because none of them reflect the character of the one mentioned in the text.

David’s words gloriously depict the character of the model king.  The king who rules justly is as refreshing as the risen sun.  He is like the warmth of the sun after the rain that produces the tender vegetation.  Have you ever known a ruler like that?  Some of them may be a little better than others, but they all disappoint you.

The model ruler is named by two characteristics: justice and the fear of God.  The fear of God is the foundation of his character.  His constant concern is doing the will of God.  His rule would be eminently just.  This is a welcome thought in a world full of injustices.  You may find him in the nation, the home, or the church.  He will perform only what is good for his followers.

If we could find such a ruler, his benefit would be as revitalizing as the sun after the rain!  By the sun the darkness of ignorance and oppression is dispelled.  The light of truth and holiness abounds.  Its fruit is like a lush tender grass that springs up from the earth.  Where can we find such a ruler?

There will never be such a leader in this world, though some may make a feeble attempt.  However, the rules of Christ prescribe only what is right toward God and man.  Were they obeyed, all wrong-doing and injustice would cease.  Jesus is the True One, He is the Just One, and he gives light to those who are in darkness.  He wants to rule your life.  This Jesus can be your King and Savior.

By George Slover

 

"Two are better than one, Because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, For he has no one to help him up. Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; But how can one be warm alone? Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken. (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12)
 
Ecclesiastes is full of wisdom that will help “life under the sun” to be more tolerable.  Life in this oppressive, competitive world is full of challenges and disappointments.  One soon realizes that it is not wise to try to make it through this journey alone.  Thus, Solomon bluntly states that one needs a companion – one that will give us perspective and objectivity.  Why are two better than one?  Consider three answers to the question.
 
First, a companion can offer encouragement when we are weak.  “For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, For he has no one to help him up.” (Ecclesiastes 4:10)  This passage always reminds me of the days at Texas A&M when our First Sergeant was determined to “make us run until we dropped.”   On those occasions when a fellow classmate started to fall the rest of us would pick him up and carry him along.  What a valuable lesson!  I should never be shamed to refuse help when needed.  I must ever be diligent to consider the needs of my fellows!
 
Second, a companion can offer support when we are vulnerable.  “Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; But how can one be warm alone?”(Ecclesiastes 4:11).  The thought here may represent more than a spouse keeping another warm on a wintry night.  It may represent anytime we are exposed and unguarded.  All are vulnerable, but “two are better than one”.
 
Third, a friend can provide protection when attacked.  “Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.” (Ecclesiastes 4:12) We all have a common adversary – the devil!  Our adversary may be one who has manufactured vicious rumors about us. But, there is power in the unity and support that we receive from friends.
 
There is no promise of tomorrow and exactly what it will bring, but chances are good that some of those days will be times of adversity.  The secret to your success is having good friends. 
 
by George Slover

"For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; (2 Corinthians 5:14)

The life of the apostle Paul was wholly given to the important ministry of reconciliation.  (II Corinthians 5:18)  Man’s eternal destiny was foremost in his mind.  The wonderful possibilities offered by Jesus prompted Paul to zealous work.  Paul’s example should inspire us to that same ministry.

Paul was motivated by the terrifying prospect of judgment (II Corinthians 5:10) and by the love of Christ. (II Corinthians 5:14)  It was the later, the love Christ has, that constrained Paul.  “Constrained” means to be totally controlled.  We must also be brought under the power of Christ’s love.

Perhaps it was the objects of Christ’s love that so motivated Paul.  Jesus’ love is so comprehensive that it reaches his friends (John 15:13), his enemies (Romans 5:8-10), and even to all mankind (John 3:16).  Jesus even loved a scoundrel like Paul who had wanted to destroy the influence of Christ!  Remarkably, he loves me too!

The love of Christ must wholly influence our lives.  The very next verse says, “He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.” (2 Corinthians 5:15)  Knowing that I am the object of his sacrificial love must inspire me to refrain from self-indulgence.  His love must sway me to honor Him with a blameless life, by imitating His character, by submitting to His will, and by seeking to extend the borders of His kingdom.

The power of Jesus’ love will be seen in the life of every faithful disciple of Jesus.  It was seen in Paul, Peter, Stephen, and other early saints who encountered the persecution and bravely persevered.  It was manifested by holy lives of those who were touched.

There is no more noble purpose for man than to live for the One who died for him, and rose again.  No greater prize given than the eternal home He promises.

George Slover

"The God of Israel said, The Rock of Israel spoke to me: 'He who rules over men must be just, Ruling in the fear of God." (2 Samuel 23:3)

The common scandal of many of our politicians has caused me to reflect upon the character of those who rule our nation.  Leaders from all of the political parties lead dissolute lives.  All of them promise a utopia that will never be attained in this world, because none of them reflect the character of the one mentioned in the text.

David’s words gloriously depict the character of the model king.  The king who rules justly is as refreshing as the risen sun.  He is like the warmth of the sun after the rain that produces the tender vegetation.  Have you ever known a ruler like that?  Some of them may be a little better than others, but they all disappoint you.

The model ruler is named by two characteristics: justice and the fear of God.  The fear of God is the foundation of his character.  His constant concern is doing the will of God.  His rule would be eminently just.  This is a welcome thought in a world full of injustices.  You may find him in the nation, the home, or the church.  He will perform only what is good for his followers.

If we could find such a ruler, his benefit would be as revitalizing as the sun after the rain!  By the sun the darkness of ignorance and oppression is dispelled.  The light of truth and holiness abounds.  Its fruit is like a lush tender grass that springs up from the earth.  Where can we find such a ruler?

There will never be such a leader in this world, though some may make a feeble attempt.  However, the rules of Christ prescribe only what is right toward God and man.  Were they obeyed, all wrong-doing and injustice would cease.  Jesus is the True One, He is the Just One, and he gives light to those who are in darkness.  He wants to rule your life.  This Jesus can be your King and Savior.

By George Slover