1 Kings 6:11-13 – “Now the word of the Lord came to Solomon saying, ¹² “Concerning this house which you are building, if you will walk in My statutes and execute My ordinances and keep all My commandments by walking in them, then I will carry out My word with you which I spoke to David your father. ¹³ I will dwell among the sons of Israel, and will not forsake My people Israel.”

As I read, prayed, and pondered the Word of God today, obedience and grace filled my thoughts.  In obedience, we have access to God. In obedience, we have the blessings of God.  In obedience, we realize the presence of God.

1 Kings 6:11-13: God spoke to Solomon regarding the temple.   If you obey (explicitly), I will fulfill My promises, and I will live among you. (The presence of obedience).

1 Peter 1:3-11 should become a dedicated study for every believer.  Through God’s Divine Power and Immeasurable Grace, we Have Been Given everything necessary for life and godliness.   That has come through the rich knowledge of Jesus. (Not knowing about Him but knowing Him.)

Through Power and Grace, we have the Promises which enable us to:

• Partake of the Divine Nature. (That deals with the sin problem).
• Deliverance from fleshly desires.
• Enables us to become.

Our assignment or responsibility is – “Make every effort to do several things.”  This all flows out of salvation faith.   Notice the progression: We add excellence (moral excellence or virtue).   To that, we add knowledge (intimacy with God).  To that we add self-control (discipline).   To that, we add perseverance.   To that we add godliness (shun the very appearance of evil). To that we add brotherly affection, unselfish love (agape).

If those are developed and increasing, we will be enabled to be effective and productive in our pursuit of knowing Jesus intimately!   But if we do not, we reveal a destructive blindness and evidence that we do not have a memorial marker reminding us of what God has done in us.  We lose sight of the Cross and grace.

If we dedicate ourselves to these things and that level of knowing, we will never stumble. (Verse 10).  This is a portal or entrance into the eternal kingdom of God, and Jesus will make the journey with us. (Verse 11).

Keeping in mind that there is an eternal judgment and reward, 2 Peter 3:11 asks, “With that in mind, How Should We Conduct Ourselves?”   God gives us a pathway to peace and His presence.   He provides a pathway to stability. Our task is to turn our whole hearts to Him. 

Jesus, I ask You to take us by the hand and lead us out of this darkness into Your marvelous light.