1 Kings 8:54-60: a reflection

54It was so, that when Solomon had finished praying all this prayer and supplication to the LORD, he arose from before the LORD’s altar, from kneeling on his knees with his hands spread out toward heaven. 55He stood and blessed all the assembly of Israel with a loud voice, saying, 56“Blessed be the LORD, who has given rest to his people Israel, according to all that he promised. There has not failed one word of all his good promise, which he promised by Moses his servant. 57May the LORD our God be with us as he was with our fathers. Let him not leave us or forsake us, 58that he may incline our hearts to him, to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, his statutes, and his ordinances, which he commanded our fathers. 59Let these my words, with which I have made supplication before the LORD, be near to the LORD our God day and night, that he may maintain the cause of his servant and the cause of his people Israel, as every day requires; 60that all the peoples of the earth may know that the LORD himself is God. There is no one else.

As Solomon finishes his long prayer at the dedication of the temple, he rises and blesses the assembly with a great affirmation of God's faithfulness: Blessed be the LORD, who has given rest to his people Israel, according to all that he promised. There has not failed one word of all his good promise, which he promised by Moses his servant. Looking back over Israel's history, Solomon can testify that God kept every word; not one promise had fallen to the ground. And he prays that God would now incline their hearts to walk in his ways.

Notice Solomon's testimony: not one word has failed. Over the long span of God's dealings with Israel, through all the years and generations, every promise God had made came true. Solomon does not say most of God's promises held, or that God was usually faithful; he says not one word failed. God's faithfulness to his word was complete, unbroken across the whole history of his people.

That testimony can steady us when we wonder whether God will keep his word to us. The God who did not let one of his promises to Israel fall is faithful still; his promises to us are as sure as those he kept for them. And notice Solomon's response to that faithfulness: a prayer that God would incline their hearts to obey, knowing that even faithfulness to a faithful God is something we need his help to render. When you doubt God's promises, remember Solomon's testimony: not one word has failed. Rest on the faithfulness of the God who keeps every word, and ask him, as Solomon did, to incline your heart to walk in his ways.

Lord, Solomon testified that not one word of all your good promises had failed, that over the long history of your people every promise came true. When I wonder whether you will keep your word to me, steady me with that testimony. You who did not let one promise to Israel fall are faithful still; your promises to me are as sure as those you kept for them. And as Solomon prayed, incline my heart to you, to walk in your ways and keep your commandments, for even faithfulness to a faithful God is something I need your help to render. Let me rest on your unfailing word, and turn my heart toward you.