The Lord Jesus is the keeper of the covenant, because it must be kept. He is God’s peace, and He is ever faithful. Put your trust in Christ, as you read the message.

First, the covenant must be kept. vs3-10

“There was nothing in the ark except the two stone tablets that Moses had placed in it at Horeb, where the LORD had made a covenant with the Israelites after they had come out of the land of Egypt.” vs9

God has no relationship with anyone except on the terms of His holiness: He will not compromise that for any reason. Therefore, the Lord Jesus kept the covenant, walking as a perfect Man, obedient to the death. He is the Last Adam, and we are justified because of His righteousness, and by faith in Him [Rom 5:12-21]. Righteousness is imputed to us who are ungodly, because He took away our sins.

Let this remind you about the holiness of God, as you walk with Him. He deals with no one, except as a Holy Father, reconciled by faith in Christ.

But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do, for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” Since you call on a Father who judges each one’s work impartially, conduct yourselves in reverent fear during your stay as foreigners. [1 Pet 1:15-17]

Therefore, let us FEAR and draw near to Him for grace, so we can walk uprightly, lest He chasten us and hide His face… lest we prove disobedient bastards, instead of sons. The gospel is full of fear and comfort: Let these dwell together.

Secondly, Solomon had to build the house because he is a man of peace, as his name means. 1 Kings 8:17-19

Now it was in the heart of my father David to build a house for the Name of the LORD, the God of Israel. But the LORD said to my father David, ‘Since it was in your heart to build a house for My Name, you have done well to have this in your heart. Nevertheless, you are not the one to build it; but your son, your own offspring, will build the house for My Name.’

It was not for David - a man of war and bloodshed - to build the temple, which pictures Christ’s church. It is built upon the finished work and the proclamation of peace. We are reconciled, both Jews and the nations, into ONE BODY by the cross. Christ is our peace!

He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. For through Him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit. [Eph 2:17-18]

The gospel is spread by the message of peace already made between man and God. He was in Christ reconciling us to Himself, and the work is finished. He has done all that He came to do, and He gives the benefit unto sinners, freely and graciously, because He is good. It is unfathomable, but it is the gospel of a Gracious God!

Solomon represents this peace. He built the temple and through peace we are born of God, renewed, strengthened, and enabled to persevere! Peace is at the heart of the gospel always: there is never a time for us to make peace; it is to be received once for all and daily.

I saw a dove today, and it reminded me of the Song of Solomon,

How beautiful you are, my darling!

How very beautiful!

Your eyes are like doves

behind your veil. [Song 4:1]

The dove’s eyes are so peaceful. They look upon you without warfare, unlike the hawk or raven. Dove’s are gentle birds who coo with love.

The believer is at peace. There’s no more slavish fear. We go to His Father as our own Father [John 20:17]. We are no longer justified in our own sight by what we do. Therefore we love one another. We are not in the hatred and pride of the flesh, but we walk in thanksgiving as those who’ve obtained mercy. This motivated Paul and it motivates us [1 Tim 1:13]. Mercy causes us to lay our life down to serve.

A preacher I know is being slandered. As I heard the accusations of stealing money, I thought about this brother’s life! He helped a village get water, because they had none, by raising resources from the West. He put nothing in his own pocket and could not even afford his own medicine. He preaches with a broken heart, acknowledging that mercy - sovereign mercy - has made the way, or there’d be no way. He is a debtor to grace! He will not stop until his last breath - slandered, poor, sick; it doesn’t matter! These good things mark God’s elect, and our works testify.

We are men of peace, like Solomon, because the Prince of Peace has risen on high. David’s hard work of suffering is over.

Thirdly, God fulfills His promises, and we can rest assured. 1 Kings 8:22-24

“O LORD, God of Israel, there is no God like You in heaven above or on earth below, keeping Your covenant of loving devotion with Your servants who walk before You with all their hearts. You have kept Your promise to Your servant, my father David. What You spoke with Your mouth You have fulfilled with Your hand this day. vs23-24

He is not a God to speak and not do it. He’s promised to LIFT UP the humble, so we can lower ourselves before Him, confess strengthlessness, and obtain mercy [Isa 40:29]. He will care for us and meet us in our needs, according to the gospel. He’ll give grace to overcome, He’ll remove the power of sin, and He will cleanse our consciences in His love.

Keep looking to Him and believing. Walk uprightly, and He will reward you. Listen to Him, and He will bring good to pass. Wait on Him, dear ones, and He will show up!

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, so that in due time He may exalt you. [1 Per 5:6]

God is to be trusted above all else as a loving Father reconciled by faith in Christ. Look nowhere else.