Two-Way Street
I sometimes get frustrated when I’m in a big city and I need to go left, but the street is a one-way street. I will have to circle around and come down the street the correct way. I believe that the big reason for one-way streets is traffic flow. If people in their cars are all going one direction down the street, they can move quicker with less interruption and distraction.
The Lord visited Solomon a second time and spoke into the king. The Lord was accepting of the Temple that Solomon had built and concentrated. The Lord reminded Solomon that he would have a long and prosperous kingdom, IF he continued to follow the Lord fully. He gave King Solomon a reality warning of sorts about he and his family being committed to the Lord fully. Check this out…
6 “But if you or your descendants turn away from me and do not observe the commands and decrees I have given you and go off to serve other gods and worship them, 7 then I will cut off Israel from the land I have given them and will reject this temple I have consecrated for my Name. Israel will then become a byword and an object of ridicule among all peoples. 8 This temple will become a heap of rubble. All who pass by will be appalled and will scoff and say, ‘Why has the Lord done such a thing to this land and to this temple?’ 9 People will answer, ‘Because they have forsaken the Lord their God, who brought their ancestors out of Egypt, and have embraced other gods, worshiping and serving them—that is why the Lord brought all this disaster on them.’” (1 Kings 9:6-9 NIV)
I believe that the Lord was explaining to Solomon that commitment is a two-way street. The Lord was saying IF you follow me and honor me by obeying my commands and decrees, you and your family will be blessed for generations. He actually speaks to Solomon about “walking with integrity, uprightness and faithfulness”, and then the Lord will be faithful to Him. If I’m surrendered to the Lord, He is faithful to me. I’m thankful that there are times when He’s faithful to me even when I stumble in my faithfulness to Him. I believe surrender is a one-way street – I simply trust the Lord and surrender to His Will and His Way. I’m learning that I’m a part of His Kingdom and it’s way bigger than I can get my head wrapped around. He will honor and bless my life as I surrender all the facets of my heart and my life to Him. I must trust Him without exception. He will speak into my questions and reveal more of Himself as I walk with Him. I love the fact that the Lord is committed to me as I walk with Him.
Pressing On!
Dwayne