Day 93

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Solomon's Temple

Scripture

April 2—1 Kings 5-8: Solomon's Temple Built and Dedicated

Observation

Today's reading features the realization of David's dream to build a house for God, a plan God said would be carried out by David's son (5:5; 2 Samuel 7:12-13). Solomon enlists the help of his father's friend Hiram, king of Tyre, to provide the cedar and fir lumber for the temple and royal palace. With keen organizational skill, Solomon sets the conscripted laborers to work and seeks out a master craftsman to do the intricate decorations. No divine design or dimensions are provided (in contrast to the tabernacle of Moses' day), although the general pattern of the tabernacle and its court is followed, in his address to the people at the dedication of the temple, Solomon offers a majestic prayer to God with the oft-repeated refrain, "hear them from heaven and forgive" (8:30-50).

Application

English Clergyman J.B. Phillips wrote a book entitled Your God is too Small, in which he accused Christians of cutting the infinite God revealed in Scripture down to puny human dimensions. While giving mental assent to an infinite God, we often live and pray as though he were weak, finite and fickle in keeping his promises.

Solomon could hardly be accused of doing that! In speaking to God, Solomon said, "Why even the skies and the highest heavens cannot contain you" (8:27). "The Lord is God, and there is no other god at all" (8:60), "Not one word has failed of all the wonderful promises proclaimed by his servant Moses" (8:56).

What size is your God? Does he match the infinite dimensions of the God of the Bible? Make a list of all the evidences of bigness that describe God in chapter 8 (there are at least a dozen). Then ask yourself this question: "in the light of God's bigness, can any of my problems be too big for him? No! And what should I do with them right now?" Give them to Him for He cares for us!

Prayer

Our almighty God is a big God in whom we have come to depend on for everything forever. Thank you for hearing our prayers and thank you for answering them--not our will but thy will be done. In Jesus name, amen!

He's a Big God!


© Odessa Mathis about my Father's business! 2019

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