1 Kings 6:11-13 – Obedience releases God’s blessing

One important criterion in leading a God-pleasing life is obedience. It was a great desire for Solomon to want to build a temple for God’s name. However, what’s more important to God was for him to be faithful to the covenant He had made with Israel. All of Solomon’s desires would be in vain if he did not live a life of covenant faithfulness. So in the middle of his building the temple, he received a word from the Lord. Here we are not told by what means God sent the word to Solomon. We surmise that God probably sent the message to him through a prophet. It is important that we are open and receptive to God whenever He speaks. Perhaps one of the most miserable moments in our walk with God is when He is silent, and no word comes from Him. It behooves us to be quick to listen and ever quicker to obey.

The message to Solomon was captured in 1 Kings 6:12-13. God revealed that His blessing to him and the people of Israel was conditional. They would experience His promise made to David if Solomon faithfully kept God’s way and walk according to His commandments. Notice the promise was not that God would dwell in the temple, but that He would dwell among them and not forsake them. For all Solomon’s good intenti0n in building God a wonderful temple, everything would come to naught if he were not faithful to obey all the instructions and commandments that God had given.   

Obedience to God and His Word has and will always be a determining factor in an effective life. Any person's usefulness to God and His kingdom’s work is only as effective as he or she remains faithful to Him. When disobedience to God is the way of a person’s life, he would soon find himself or herself redundant and be replaced by one who will faithfully obey God. On the other hand, God's approval and presence will attend to those who will walk in constant obedience to Him and His word.  The outcome of one’s life is very dependent on one's obedience to God. That's because being obedient is the way we express our trust in and love for God. So, remain obedient at all costs!