Bible Chapter: I Kings 5 & 6

Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.

1.  Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
    King David had a desire to build a temple as a special place to worship God.  In spite of his failures, David recognized who God is and longed to honor God with a unique place for the people to worship the Creator.  He was not allowed to do this.  But, God gave him the plans and he collected many building supplies.  His son, Solomon, was the one who built it.  It was a very beautiful and ornate building.  One very interesting thing is that all the stones for the construction were made perfectly at the stone quarry so that no hammers or chisels where used as they put the stones in place.  The skills of the craftsmen were so perfect that they had to make no adjustments on the building site.  The place they built on Mount Moriah was a sacred and holy place where they would worship God.
    This temple took seven years to build.  It required thousands of workers to collect the materials and bring them to Jerusalem.  It was very ornate with much gold used.  God gave them very specific details and enabled the workers to build it with precision.  In the process of the construction Israel was again reminded of the importance of obeying God’s commands.  We see in these historical books that they consistently failed to keep God’s commandments.

2.  What can I apply in my life from the reading?
    God has great plans for people.  God will enable people to accomplish amazing things.  I think of the skill it took to gather all the materials and coordinate the transportation of them as well as the construction of the temple.  Thousands of people worked on this project.  The stones used were precisely cut in the quarries and put in place on the site.  The furnishings were perfectly crafted and large amounts of gold was used to cover them.  All of these details show us that God will guide and equip people to do things that will amaze.  I think of what they accomplished with what we would call low tech equipment.  I think of what people are accomplishing these days with high tech equipment.  All of it is astonishing.  It shows God’s creative power and His ability to give us what we need.

3.  How can I help someone?
    Listen to God.  Let God empower you.  Use and develop the skills and desires God gives you.  He will help you envision and then create beyond what you think you can.  Use the skills and talents God gives to bring Him glory and honor.  Worship the Lord with what you have and can do.