Readings for today: 1 Kings 9, 2 Chronicles 8, Proverbs 25-26
There’s a great line in Psalm 23 that says, “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” I thought about that line this morning as I read how the Lord once again appeared to Solomon. The Hebrew that is translated “follow me” in the Psalm actually conveys a much stronger meaning. It literally means “pursue me” or “chase me.” It’s not just a passive following but an active pursuit that refuses to let go. Think about it. The goodness and mercy of God chasing me all the days of my life until I find myself dwelling in the house of the Lord in eternity. That about sums up Solomon’s life. It also can sum up our lives as well.
Listen again to what God says to Solomon. For at least the third or fourth time if you’ve been counting. “The Lord said to him: I have heard your prayer and petition you have made before me. I have consecrated this temple you have built, to put my name there forever; my eyes and my heart will be there at all times. As for you, if you walk before me as your father David walked, with a heart of integrity and in what is right, doing everything I have commanded you, and if you keep my statutes and ordinances, I will establish your royal throne over Israel forever, as I promised your father David: You will never fail to have a man on the throne of Israel.” (1 Kings 9:3-5 CSB) It’s truly astounding when you stop to think about it. The Lord of the universe humbling Himself to consecrate the Temple Solomon built. Putting His name there. Always keeping His eyes on it. Placing His heart there. Kind of reminds me of Jesus’ words about where our treasure is, there our hearts will be also. The people of God are God’s treasured possession. They are His chosen people. They are His royal priesthood. As such, God puts His heart where His treasure is which is why He comes to dwell with His people. It’s why He calls Solomon to be faithful. He doesn’t want what is happening here at the beginning, at the Temple, to ever end.
There’s a famous story in my church about a previous beloved pastor who had a huge heart for lost people. He and a friend were eating lunch one day at a local restaurant and started talking to their server about faith. It was clear the server didn’t believe. Didn’t come from a Christian background. And this broke the heart of the pastor. As he paid his bill at the cashier, he asked to see the server. When the server came out, he grabbed his hand, looked him in the eye, and said, “God is going to pursue you with His relentless love until the day you die.” Honestly, it kind of freaked the server out but the truth of his words remains. God pursues us with His faithful love until the day we die. He pursued Solomon. He pursued Israel. He pursues me. He’s pursuing you. Turn to Him. Walk in His ways. Live with a heart of integrity and do what is right and godly and you will find goodness and mercy and blessing following you all the days of your life.
Readings for tomorrow: No devotionals on Sundays