Never Settle for Second Best

"1 Kings 8:22-9:9

Your heart should be fully committed to the Lord

As Solomon dedicates the temple, he prays to the Lord, ‘There is no God like you … You who keep your covenant of love with your servants who continue wholeheartedly in your way’ (8:23).

God’s own heart is for his people and he sees and knows the hearts of all people: ‘You alone know every human heart’ (v.39).

Solomon’s prayer recognises the fact that we fail. We sin. He does not say ‘if’ they sin. Rather he says, ‘When they sin against you – for there is no one who does not sin’ (v.46) (see also Romans 3:23).

Thankfully, there is still hope. It is possible to have ‘changed hearts’ (1 Kings 8:47, MSG). It is possible for our hearts to turn back to God (v.48). He prays that God will ‘turn our hearts to him’ (v.58). God is full of mercy and forgiveness (vv.28,30,34,36,39,50). He relentlessly loves and he keeps his word (v.23, MSG).

The better you get to know God – his heart, his character and his love for you – the easier it becomes to obey him with all your heart.

We must never settle for second best. As Solomon puts it, ‘Your hearts must be fully committed to the Lord our God’ (v.61). God wants you to walk before him with ‘integrity of heart and uprightness’ (9:4). The people determined to live like that and went home ‘joyful and glad in heart’ (8:66). Like the disciples, their hearts were full of joy.

Lord, you see my heart. May my heart be fully committed to you. You know how often I fail. Please forgive and have mercy on me. Thank you that you enable me to turn back to you each day. Thank you for your mercy and forgiveness. Thank you that you fill my heart with joy. Help me to follow you wholeheartedly each day."

1. Thank You for helping me sustain a whole year of being grateful through short notes.

2. Thank You for the combination of lemon and milk tea. Sehr lecker!

3. Thank You for the strength, protection, energy, hope in every change and journey I undertake. Thank You, Lord!