IF

This is a small word with a big place in our language. This word is considered a “conjunction”, which is a transition word connecting two different thoughts or words.  Please know that I’m not an “English major”, but I do understand the significance of such a simple little word. I use this word a lot because for some things to happen, other things need to happen first. I also like to think of this as a “pivot” word.

So King Solomon is getting the construction of the temple underway. The Lord wouldn’t let David build because of all the blood he has shed as a warrior. David made preparations and Solomon was to carry out the building of the temple. During construction, the scripture record this little promise that comes with an “if”. Check this out….

¹¹ Then the Lord gave this message to Solomon: ¹² “Concerning this Temple you are building, if you keep all my decrees and regulations and obey all my commands, I will fulfill through you the promise I made to your father, David. ¹³ I will live among the Israelites and will never abandon my people Israel.” (1 Kings 6:11-13 NLT)

As I was reading this and applying the promise of God to my life, I realize what a colossal failure I’ve been in keeping all the Lord’s decrees, regulations and commands. I have ignored His commands. I have justified my behavior multiple times and it was still sinful. I am self-centered, full of pride, and I am embarrassed when I think about the things I’ve done, said or just thought about.

I am grateful for Jesus coming to this earth and bringing grace with Him. I am grateful that the Lord has forgiven me multiple times on multiple occasions. I’m thankful there is no place that I’ve been that He can’t rescue me from. I’m thankful for His forgiveness and His restoration of my deceitful and prideful heart. He has shaped my heart. He has given me patience with others who stumble and fall.

I don’t know all there is to know, but I know that there is not one person who is perfect and without sin. Check this out….

 ²³ For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. (Romans 3:23 NLT)

When (not if) I sin, I need to repent before the Lord. He is grace filled and forgives my sin. I sometimes have profound consequences for my sin. He helps me navigate that too.  I want to follow the Lord and make the best decisions every day. I want to keep all of His decrees, regulations and commands, but when I don’t, He is the One Who rescues me. He forgives me and He restores my soul.  I will keep walking out my faith. When I stumble, I will get back up and start pursuing Him again and again.

Pressing On!

Dwayne