RTW 2023

Praise the LORD who has given rest to his people Israel, just as he promised. Not one word has failed of all the wonderful promises he gave through his servant Moses. May the LORD our God be with us as he was with our ancestors; may he never leave us or abandon us. May he give us the desire to do his will in everything and to obey all the commands, decrees, and regulations that he gave our ancestors. And may these words that I have prayed in the presence of the LORD be before him constantly, day and night, so that the LORD our God may give justice to me and to his people Israel, according to each day’s needs. Then people all over the earth will know that the LORD alone is God and there is no other. And may you be completely faithful to the LORD our God. May you always obey his decrees and commands, just as you are doing today.

1 Kings 8:56-61

Solomon prayed about future situations that would occur in Israel, and what the consequences would be, and asked God for mercy when they would pray with a genuine heart toward the temple (toward the heart of God).

“If the skies are shut up and there is no rain because your people have sinned against you, and if they pray toward this Temple and acknowledge your name and turn from their sins because you have punished them, then hear from heaven and forgive the sins of your servants, your people Israel. Teach them to follow the right path, and send rain on your land that you have given to your people as their special possession.”
1 Kings 8:35-36

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Israel underwent a major cultural and economic shift with the onset of the reign of Solomon.

• Israel went from a culture of fighting to a culture of BUILDING.
• Solomon fortified cities with new defensive structures, expanded trade, and even engaged the nation in sea trade.
• “The nation progressed from being a confederation of shepherds and peasants to becoming a nation-state with international trade and urban centers that transcend traditional tribal boundaries.” The Archaeological Bible, c. 2005, The Zondervan Corporation
• When there are shifts and changes, God is always creating new pathways, preparing for new things, opening up new horizons. The new normal might feel really uncomfortable, but our ability to adapt is important. God is revealing something new: New ways of reaching people, of helping others, of being part of God’s healing and recovery.

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Don’t be afraid of the new normal. Let’s be open to receiving new things God may want to do in our changing circumstances.

For I am about to do something new.
   See, I have already begun! Do you not see it?
I will make a pathway through the wilderness.
   I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.
Isaiah 43:19

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