Now the days of David drew nigh that he should die; and he charged Solomon his son, saying, I go the way of all the earth: be thou strong therefore, and shew thyself a man; And keep the charge of the LORD thy God, to walk in His ways, to keep His Statutes, and His Commandments, and His judgments, and His Testimonies, as it is written in the Law of Moses, that thou mayest prosper in all that thou doest, and whithersoever thou turnest thyself: That the LORD may continue His Word which He spake concerning me, saying, If thy children take heed to their way, to walk before me in truth with all their heart and with all their soul, there shall not fail thee (said he) a man on the throne of Israel. (1 Kings 2:1-4)
David wanted Solomon not only to start fresh and be guiltless before the LORD in those who had troubled David, but also to remain blessed by the LORD through obedience to His Commands, Statutes, and Testimonies given in the Law of Moses. David knew that the closer Solomon was to God and in the keeping of the Word of God, the better leader and ruler he would be. He first had to be rid of those who had resisted David and followed Absalom and others who were against David, and then he could reign without the history that David brought with him. Solomon kept his word towards all the enemies of David and those who had dealt treacherously against him and was established as king.
We are all guilty before the LORD and worthy of death, yet God offers us the gift of life in His Son, Jesus Christ. Because of repentance of sins, and our faith in Him and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary, we have forgiveness and are reconciled unto God. Forgiveness and the new life we have in Christ is not a license to sin or to do as we want but liberty to do that which God commands in His Word. He calls us to Himself and to holiness that we might reflect Him and to obey His Word unto us that we might glorify Him in all things. Those in Christ are empowered, equipped, and enabled to do the work of the Lord in ministry, missions, and discipleship, through the Word of God. We reach the lost with the Word of reconciliation, teach all nations all that He has commanded, and preach His Word in all seasons and at all times, that others may hear and know of our God and His justice, mercy, and grace, until He is done with us. The Creator of all loves us and wants all to be saved and redeemed from sin and the King of the universe will one day reign in peace on David’s throne, just as He said.
Until that day, God has sent those of us who are His saints and know Him out into this world to reach the lost that they might be saved from sin. He desires that His people strive to be holy and obedient unto Him that we might minister to those around us who are hurting and in need as He provides. We serve others, equipped with the Word of reconciliation and righteousness, rightly divided and fitly spoken, that they may see Christ in us, the hope of Glory. Our God has commanded us to love one another with an unfeigned love, even as He first loved us, and to disciple one another in the Word of God so that we may all grow in grace and in the Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Our Lord has commissioned those who are His with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to go where He sends us in the power of the Holy Spirit. As we go, we are to proclaim the Good News of forgiveness through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son, that those who believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah of God might have life in His Name.
God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance and the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. God calls you to faith in Christ and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with God, forgiveness from God, and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of God who is God the Son, to give you a new life in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.
In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet