1st Kings 9:1-9 THE SECOND TIME Early in Solomon's reign the Lord appeared to him at Gibeon. Now after the temple and his house were built the Lord appeared to him the second time. In between those two times we read the Lord spoke to him, so these two times may have been a theophany. There were times in the Old Testament account when this took place. It was a visible evidence of God appearing to men in a human form they could understand and identify with. Abraham certainly recognized the fact that the Lord was one of the three who appeared at his tent door one day. The Lord Jesus Christ is the only One of the Godhead who has a visible form. "In Him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily."
On the other occasions when the Lord spoke to Solomon but did not "appear" to him, it was likely that a prophet came to him with a word from the Lord. The usual way was that "God in sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets."
The fact that His prayer was heard and his request was noted by the Lord indicates there is full access on our part to the Lord God, and full knowledge on His part of all that we do and the motive behind our actions. God knows us better than we know ourselves. More than that was the fact the Lord Himself consecrated the temple and put His name there. His attention was there and His heart was there. God knows and cares about all that happens in His house. The "house of God" is an assembly of believers who are gathered out to the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. This is not an insignificant body nor are the things we do in the house of God of our own choosing.
Integrity of heart, uprightness of life and obedience to the new covenant to which we are committed gives us the ability to experience the blessings associated with our spiritual life. The promises of God are there and are real. So are the consequences of failing to keep ours. To fall short of divine expectations puts us in a position of potential ridicule and the object of mockery as Christians. To have people speak disparagingly of Christians is not uncommon. If we give people reason to speak in that way, that is a serious sin on our part.
It is a grief to us to see a public testimony of an assembly fail because of division, disobedience and disregard for God's word. That is far different than when the demographics of a work make it impossible to continue functioning as a biblically gathered New Testament assembly. To do things our own way with no regard for sound teaching brings disaster. Biblically authorized practices and, to a lesser degree, traditions that have worked in an assembly also keep stability in a work. Each assembly has a culture that is unique to it and in which it has functioned for years. When we leave the pattern of New Testament teaching and the practices of an assembly that have worked, disintegration takes place and eventually an end comes to public testimony.
1Kings 9:2. “That the Lord appeared to Solomon the second time, as he had appeared unto him at Gibeon.”
THE SECOND TIME. When God repeats Himself, of this you can be sure What He has said before, of this wisely take heed. Do what He has commanded; have your motives pure; His blessing in your life is a great need.
I must conduct myself before Him with faith, Knowing my need of His strength is a must. He has shown to me many times over, His grace, And I would be foolish not to give Him full trust.
To walk in integrity, not just in form, Is a need that has to be renewed every day. That keeps me consistent so truth is the norm, When people around see what I do and say.
His word is established so with uprightness of heart, I have guidelines to direct me through life. If I make it a practice each day at the start To hear God’s Word, then it keeps me until the night.
There are testing that come, God has allowed them To see if I am true to His Word. When those trials come, I can turn quickly to Him, And again, acknowledge Jesus as Lord.
At the first time of meeting it seemed very easy To answer with assurance and faith. But the second time seems more serious, it’s not self I am pleasing, God is showing me the continual need of His grace.
“Father God, please keep me from being light-weight and casual about spiritual and eternal things. I want to be sober and upright in ways that can please Thee as a representative of Thy kingdom. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”