Love Offers Itself

HIGHLIGHT: 1 Kings 6:11-13 - 11 The word of the Lord came to Solomon:12 “As for this temple you are building, if you follow my decrees, observe my laws and keep all my commands and obey them, I will fulfill through you the promise I gave to David your father.13 And I will live among the Israelites and will not abandon my people Israel.”

EXPLAIN: Chapter 6 is all about Solomon building the temple for the Israelites to worship God. There is some serious history explained in the chapter: 480 years after the Israelites left Egypt and in the fourth year of Solomon's reign are two types of of noticeable dates listed. Apparently, this was a long time in the making.

The chapter also gives a detailed list of how long, wide and high the temple would be built. There is a list of doors, what kinds of blocks are used and even this tidbit of information: "and no hammer, chisel or any other iron tool was heard at the temple site while it was being built." (v 7) The actual building of the temple is mentioned in verse 14, "So Solomon built the temple and completed it." How crazy that the building is started and completed in eight words."

Before those eight words, however, is an important paragraph. God speaks into Solomon's life and says if you follow and observe and obey, then I will fulfill my promise. I will live and not abandon my people. This normally sounds like a threat - you better or else I'll leave. However, when we read it in light of the previous chapters and verses, we recognize that God is more interested in relationships and covenants.

APPLY: God's covenantal love is primary in the way that God acts. He also desires a relationship with people. Each one, every one, is created out of His love and therefore there is a deep desire for relationship from the creator. I could also argue, but I won't at this time, that there is a God-shaped hole in every one of our hearts that causes us to long and wander until we begin to live in relationship with our creator.

In these verses, God is not threatening Solomon that he better make sure something happens or else God will take his basketball and go home. Rather, God is simply saying that He will not force himself on the people. If they do not want him, then He will allow them to go their own way. Once again, that is an act of love. Love does not force itself on those who do not want it, but rather, is willing to wait until the other party makes the choose to move in the direction of love.

God loves you! God loves every single person whose heart formed and began to beat.The prevenient grace of God will continue to do all it can to reveal itself in hopes of people accepting God's love. However, it will never force or manipulate a person to the point that they must reciprocate.

The promise of God, the covenantal love God consistently displays, is the reminder that you can not go away from the love of God to the point that He cannot reach you. However, when you join in the covenant of love with God, you will know the love of God and the transforming power it brings to you to live your life to the fullest.

RESPONSE: God, may I never forget you are love. Love does not force itself, but rather offers itself. I receive your offer of life, and offer myself back to you.