The Lord Keeps His Promise

This morning I went to Windsor the the Harvest Fest Celebration to work the booth for the Larimer Energy Action Project. When I returned home early afternoon Christian, Bridget and the children had arrived. Sue and Sam also joined us for lunch. We went to the swimming pool and then will make a trip to the neighborhood lake for some fishing. It is good to have them all with us once again.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…. Now the Lord has kept his promise.” 1 Kings 8:20 NCV

As Solomon secures his kingdom, he builds his own palace and the Temple of the Lord as instructed by his father, King David according to the Lord’s directions. The day of the dedication, as Solomon spoke to the people and prayed a lengthy prayer, Solomon’s consistent focus is on the fact that the “Lord has kept His promise.”

He reminds the people of the promise the Lord made to His people and to David and then he declares, (and I picture it with great emotion and a crescendo), “Now the Lord has kept his promise!” Perhaps it is my political background, but celebrating “promise keeping” is of great importance.

I recall some political campaign pieces from years ago that followed the theme of “Promises Made, Promises Kept.” I was at an event recently and my former State House colleague now serving in the US Senate told the audience of how there were promises made during the last election and the steps that had been taken to fulfill those promises. People look to leaders to do what they say and to improve the lives of those who follow them. And they become frustrated and disillusioned when promises made are not kept.

This is certainly true when people are called to follow the Lord and to remain loyal to him. Solomon declared to the people, Praise the Lord, the God of Israel. He has done what he promised to my father David”  and Now I rule Israel as the Lord promised…” (1 Kings 8:15,20) Solomon reminded the people of the promise to David almost 40 years ago and that now was being fulfilled. Solomon after declaring the “Lord has kept His promises” reminds the people of how the promises fulfilled in their midst goes back to the days of Moses, “Praise the Lord! He promised he would give rest to his people Israel, and he has given us rest. The Lord has kept all the good promises he gave through his servant Moses.” (1 Kings 8:56)

Some of God’s promises are conditional upon obedience and others He brings about through His sovereign plan of redemption. The Lord made promises to Solomon and Jeroboam after him, but both of these leaders did not receive all that the Lord promised because of disobedience and rebellion. But we see the Lord’s plan for bringing people to the promised land and God’s plan to reconcile people to Himself through Christ came about through His mercy and grace.

Finally remember God’s promises don’t have a timeline or an expiration date. Peter declared regarding the promise of the Lord’s return, “The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.” (2 Peter 3:9 NLT)  Paul encouraged believers about God’s promises with the words, “…no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God.”  (2 Corinthians 1:20 NIV)

What is our response? What should we do? We are called to follow the Lord in a life of trust and obedience, knowing that He will surely fulfill that which He has promised. You can count on it! And one day, when we are all together before God’s Temple in heaven, (that was represented by the earthly Temple of Solomon), we will declare in praise, “The Lord has kept His promise!”