Our Slant On Life!

Not everyone has the same slant on life. All people are not INCLINED toward the same things. As we look around us, perhaps we are often struck by how what seems to be most on the INCLINE is the DECLINE of morals. What is the INCLINE and DECLINE associated with our life? What direction are we moving on the slant?

After the temple was built and the ark of the covenant was brought in, the glory of the Lord filled the temple. ( 1 Kings 8:10-11). In Solomon’s prayer of dedication he acknowledged that the highest heaven could not contain God, “much less this house that I have built.” ( 1 Kings 8:27) However, the temple being the place where God’s Name would be ( 1 Kings 8:29) was to be focused toward when prayers were offered as God would listen in heaven, His dwelling place. ( 1 Kings 8:30) At the conclusion of Solomon’s prayer, he stood, blessed the people assembled, and exhorted them toward faithfulness to God.

Solomon began…
“(56) Blessed be the Lord who has given rest to his people Israel, according to all that he promised. NOT ONE WORD HAS FAILED OF ALL HIS GOOD PROMISE, which he spoke by Moses his servant. (57) The Lord our God be with us, as he was with our fathers. May he not leave us or forsake us, (58) THAT HE MAY INCLINE OUR HEARTS TO HIM, to walk in all his ways and to keep his commandments, his statutes, and his rules, which he commanded our fathers.” ( 1 Kings 8:56-58)

Solomon continued exhorting the people toward wholehearted devotion to God. If the heart of the people INCLINED toward worldliness would it not seem appropriate for the blessings of God to be on the DECLINE; for Him to “leave” or “forsake” His people? On the other hand, to INCLINE the heart toward God would put faithlessness on the DECLINE and faithfulness on the INCLINE. Since God had been faithful to all His good promises, faithfulness to Him should have been seen as the most appropriate response.

The psalmist prayed…
“INCLINE MY HEART TO YOUR TESTIMONIES, and NOT TO SELFISH GAIN!” ( Psalm 119:36 ESV)

To what are we most INCLINED -- our stuff or God’s? In a sense to be INCLINED toward our own selfish ways is to DECLINE the blessings God desires to give. May we instead DECLINE the cheap thrills of worldly living and INCLINE our hearts wholly to God so that we may continually receive the richest and truest blessings He is delighted to make ours. Yes, God, INCLINE our hearts wholly to You!

Have a great day MAKING LIFE’S SLANT AN UPWARD MOTION!
Carl

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