February SOAP

For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.

2 Corinthians 1:20 NKJV

We are mid-way through February already and I cannot believe it! Time flies, seasons definitely change, but God’s Word remains the same.

So let’s dive into 1 Kings 8.

*Although the SOAP only discusses one verse, I encourage you to read the entire chapter!

Scripture: 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 through His servant Moses. (1 Kings 8:56)

Observation: After the Ark of the Covenant was placed in the temple, Solomon prayed before the people and blessed them. He prayed God would be with Israel and forgive them when they sinned. In verses 28-53, Solomon covered trespassing neighbors, enemies rising, no rain, famine, even strangers who called out to God in the temple to be forgiven. The prayer captured the struggle of the Israelites; when they sin and were punished, they recognized the error of their ways and turned their hearts to God, hoping He would listen and continue to have compassion on them (vs. 46-50). At the close of his prayer, Solomon blessed the congregation (vs. 56-61) saying that all of God’s word, His promises had never failed which had come since the days of Moses. Solomon encourages the assembly to keep doing just as God said since the beginning with their ancestors so that all would know that “the Lord is God, and that there is none else” (vs. 60).

Application: Focusing on verse 56, we should have peace knowing the promises of God will come to pass. Psalm 119:115 says, “You are near, O Lord, And all Your commandments are truth.” Likewise, Solomon understood from experience now, that just as it was promised that he would build a temple to God, so it happened this day. Many times we ask the hows and whys of how everything will happen, but that’s not where our focus should be. We must trust in God knowing that whatever He says, it will come good or bad. In Joshua 23:14-16, the Israelites knew the importance of keeping God’s laws that in the promise that “… all good things are come upon you, which the Lord your God promised you; so shall the Lord bring upon you all evil things…” which come when we sin against God. This is not to scare you or make you fear slipping up, but it’s a reminder that what God says will happen. God made it known that for every decision/action we make, there is a consequence for it depending on if we are doing God’s will or our own. However, it is our responsibility to repent and turn towards Him once we fall into sin.

So I ask you now, what has God promised to you? As God favored the Israelites, so are we, His children, who through Christ Jesus by faith became one of His family. We have the promise of eternal life because we believe in Jesus Christ but there are many promises throughout the Word. I encourage you to find one this day, whenever you read this, and find a promise in the Word and stick to it. Rest in that word. In Philippians 4:9, it says, “The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.” Solomon reminded the people that not one word has failed that came from God; He makes good of every promise and we should remember this too.

Prayer: Lord Thank you for constantly reminding us that your promises always come to pass. Forgive us of the times we have sinned, for we have seen the error of our ways. Lord please have compassion on us and stay near to us. Let us remain in your Word, and acknowledge it as truth so that we may rest in the words you have spoken. Thank you God for your mercy. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

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