FOUNDATION - CHRIST Posted 9.28.07
1 Kings 3
Any building project requires a firm foundation. A foundation is defined as a base on which something rests; the supporting part; the fundamental principle on which something is founded.
When God begins to build in our lives, the foundation is always in Christ.
1 Kings 3 provides a wonderful example of Solomon laying a godly foundation for his reign as king over Israel. As we walk through this lesson, let’s examine our lives for this Christ-centered foundation.
How do we make Christ our foundation?
LOVE HIM! (Read 1 Kings 3:1-4)
The central verse in this passage is verse 3a, “Solomon showed his love for the LORD by walking according to the statues of his father David.” While political marriages would prove to be a stumbling block for Solomon, and worship at the high places was not God’s best, the Lord knew Solomon’s heart.
We serve a God who cherishes our love above all else. Even when we blow it, He knows when it was motivated by love. Sound crazy? Solomon is our example.
When Israel was in the desert forty years, God instructed Moses to build a tabernacle. This structure was central to the entire camp and served as their place of worship.
With David as king, Jerusalem became the site of Israel’s worship. In 2 Samuel 7, David had it in his heart to build a temple to honor the Lord, but God told him through Nathan the prophet that Solomon would be the one to build it. David prepared all the materials needed, but the final construction was on hold. Thus, Israel found herself in a time of transition.
The high places in the land of Canaan were sites created for idol worship. The Canaanites worshipped many false gods in vulgar and perverted ways. God’s warnings against using these high places centered on His concern that the Israelites would be influenced and changed by the idolaters. This passage, however, seems to indicate that the people’s hearts were pure – they simply didn’t know where else to go “because a temple had not yet been built for the name of the LORD.”
There are various interpretations as to the reason Gibeon was considered “the most important high place,” but Solomon obviously thought it was the best he could do under the circumstances. God honored it because He was intimately aware of Solomon’s love for Him.
How can you show your love for God today?
Sometimes we need to say it out loud, “I love You, Lord!” At other times we may want to bless someone else as an expression of our love for God. God knows your heart.
How can you show your love for God today?
COMMUNICATE WITH HIM (Read 1 Kings 3:5-8)
Verse 5 proves that God meets us right where we are. Solomon wasn’t “doing everything right” but God knew his heart. So there at Gibeon – one of the forbidden high places – God appeared to Solomon and began a conversation with him. One of the most amazing aspects of the eternal God is His willingness and desire to interact with us one-on-one. This communication is essential to building a firm foundation in Christ.
How often do you communicate with God?
He is a talkative God. The question is – are we listening?
I wonder how often God encourages His children to “Ask for whatever you want Me to give you.” How many of us aren’t listening? The most important aspect of communication with God is a listening heart.
Then answer Him! I love Solomon’s response – praise and thanksgiving. Before he could even think of something to “ask for” he was overcome with appreciation and love for all God had already done in his life. What about you? When was the last time you truly “counted your blessings?” They are many and are worth counting!
Equally important interaction with God is true humility. Solomon’s awareness of his inadequacies, as well as the magnitude of the task before him, is refreshing to God. The Lord is not looking for people who “know it all” or “have it all figured out.” He seeks teachable, humble servants. How do you communicate with God?
DEPEND UPON HIM (Read 1 Kings 3:9-13)
Solomon finally answers God with a request. My paraphrase, “I need You!” Music to God’s ears. When Solomon asked for a discerning heart to carry out God’s call, verse 10 records, “The Lord was pleased.”
We live in a society that exalts the “self-made man” and encourages “self reliance.” While God teaches individuality and hard work, He always wants to be the Anchor. “Apart from Me you can do nothing,” (John 15:5) is a clear call for dependence upon Him. Where does your dependence lie?
Solomon’s vulnerability is met by God’s pleasure and generosity. These verses outline multiple promises and blessings specific to Solomon’s call and life. God has been doing this sort of thing for years! Think of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Joshua and more. God loves to pour out surprises and strengths without limit. He is simply looking for willing vessels.
Would you let Him provide the details for your call and life?
Matthew 6:33 echoes this passage completely, “Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” What do you seek?
OBEY HIM (Read 1 Kings 3:14-15)
Obedience is essential to a firm foundation in Christ. What I love about this story is how the obedience evolves in such a unique way. After God’s closing encouragement to general obedience, Solomon understood something he’d been missing.
There is no record of God pointing His finger at Solomon and addressing the incorrect worship on high places. But, upon spending time in conversation with God, Solomon instinctively knew the worship should be in Jerusalem. There is no hint of force or coercion on God’s part. We simply observe Solomon “growing up” in one more area of his life with God.
This experience represents a firm foundation in its most basic form. When the love for communication with and dependence on God are present, obedience flows naturally.
How is your foundation being formed today?
GLORIFY HIM (Read 1 Kings 3:16-28)
This chapter ends with the familiar story of Solomon deciding a judicial case involving two mothers, one deceased baby, and one living baby. Solomon’s willingness to even hear an issue involving two prostitutes reaffirms his humility. The verdict he renders is obviously the wisdom of god.
But the more important aspect of the foundation we see here comes from the final verse. “When all Israel heard the verdict the king had given, they held the king in awe, because they saw that he had wisdom from God to administer justice” (verse 28).
Solomon was walking in His gifts and depending on God, and it was all for God’s glory. The people “saw”. They didn’t just gossip about the turn of events, they saw God at work through Solomon.
Jesus spoke of this process in Matthew when He said, “Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). As we allow God to build in our lives from start to finish, somehow (only God knows exactly how it works – it’s supernatural!) others become acutely aware that it is all about God working through us. God receives the glory – as it should be.
“God is the Builder of everything. We are His house.” Hebrews 3:4b, 6b.
What is God building in your life?
What does your foundation consist of?
How can you love Him, communicate with Him, depend upon Him, obey Him and glorify Him more?