One God

Solomon is right: there is no God like the Lord, God of Israel. It is a bold declaration for Solomon to make in praise and thanksgiving for God’s covenant. Another word for covenant is promise. When God makes a promise, God keeps that promise. God’s love always remains steadfast. These are some characteristics of God that we can trust in. Yet Solomon seems to have some uncertainty. Solomon wants to ensure that there will always be a king in the line of David, his father, as God promised.

We believe Jesus is this King, and forever will be. At Christmastime we celebrate the nativity of Jesus, this miraculous event where an outsider born to outsiders proves to be the God who does indeed dwell with us on the earth. This same Jesus is the one who claims us in baptism and promises to neither leave us nor forsake us.

Solomon wants certainty, but God does not give us certainty; God gives us faith. Be it Good Friday, the second week of Advent, or even August 20, may you join Solomon in remembering that the Lord, God, Yahweh, the great I Am Who I Am will always keep God’s promises.

Thank you, O God, that you are always present with us. When we doubt your promises, give us the gift of faith that trusts in your promises. Amen. — ANS

Contributed by One God

Solomon is right: there is no God like the Lord, God of Israel. It is a bold declaration for Solomon to make in praise and thanksgiving for God's covenant. Another word for covenant is promise. When God makes a promise, God keeps that promise. God's love always remains steadfast. These are some characteristics of God that we can trust in. Yet Solomon seems to have some uncertainty. Solomon wants to ensure that there will always be a king in the line of David, his father, as God promised. We believe Jesus is this King, and forever will be. At Christmastime we celebrate the nativity of Jesus, this miraculous event where an outsider born to outsiders proves to be the God who does indeed dwell with us on the earth. This same Jesus is the one who claims us in baptism and promises to neither leave us nor forsake us. Solomon wants certainty, but God does not give us certainty; God gives us faith. Be it Good Friday, the second week of Advent, or even August 20, may you join Solomon in remembering that the Lord, God, Yahweh, the great I Am Who I Am will always keep God's promises.
Eternity for Today