We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. – Ephesians 2:10
The important project of building the temple to God was started as shared in “Under Construction”. For every important project, it’s important to have a plan, find helpers with certain skills, and get started; paying attention to the details and being patient but persistent until it’s finished.
This day with God, let’s build our life like Solomon built the temple. Receive inspiration from the song Build My Life by Pat Barrett and take some of the ideas from the song to build your life according to God’s plan.
A plan with a firm foundation and by putting your trust in the Lord. For there is no one better to lead you because He leads with love so you are motivated to tell others of God’s love and His plan for them.
We have amazing technology today but sometimes we emphasize speed rather than quality. The photo is the inside of St. Paul’s Cathedral which was built in the 1700s after the great fire of London. Many of the great events of England’s history has taken place in St Paul’s Cathedral including the wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana. It shows the detailed work that went into construction during that time
Today, we read in 1 Kings 6-7 about the tremendous detail that went into the construction of the temple to the Lord. The quality of workmanship and materials that went into building the temple was extremely high. Blocks of high-grade stone cut to size at the quarry were used. The inner sanctuary to set the ark of the covenant of the Lord in was overlaid with pure gold (v. 20).
Even with total focus on its construction along with the use of a large number of craftsmen and laborers, it took 7 years to complete. After the temple or the dwelling place for the Lord was built, Solomon’s palace was started. It took 13 years to complete its construction.
Because of Christ, the Spirit lives in each believer for the purpose of giving glory to God.
Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s spirit lives in you? – 1 Corinthians 3:16
Our purpose is to build our life like Solomon built the temple and be thankful that Jesus is God’s plan for us. For every important project, we need to have a plan, find helpers with certain skills, and get started; paying attention to the details and being patient but persistent until it’s finished.
Your plan Lord gives us each the power of the Holy Spirit. All we need to do is follow and You will provide what is needed to make what seemed impossible possible. We are led by the principles taught by Christ and step by step we walk into a future beyond our imagination. We are firmly planted in the goodness of Your will to produce faith, hope, and love for Your glory. Amen!
May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. – Romans 15:5-6
When God gives a common purpose like He did for Solomon and Hiram as explained in “Strands Together”, there is a chemistry and consistency that makes each individual better. One is bound to the other which provides endurance, encouragement, and extra strength.
The Golden Gate Bridge is a suspension bridge in which the load-bearing portion is hung below suspension cables. These cables are strands of metal wire twisted together like a rope. Because this cord of strands are together, it is not easily broken and it can support a tremendous amount of weight.
Reading today in 1 Kings 5, David and Hiram king of Tyre had always been on friendly terms and Solomon wanted to continue that friendship so he asked if they could work together in building the temple to God. Solomon wanted to carry out what the Lord told his father David. That his son would build the temple of God.
The proposal of Solomon to Hiram was that Hiram and his men would work with Solomon’s men to cut and transport lumber to Jerusalem. Hiram’s reply indicates that he had a strong relationship with God as he was pleased and complemented Solomon on his wisdom to rule a great nation (v. 7). He praised the Lord for this opportunity.
Unlike David’s treaty with Egypt who worshipped idols, the treaty with Hiram was with a person and nation under the one true God. If we do form alliances, we should seek alliances with those who put God first.
The lesson for us is that each individual should be a team player using the skills they have to build the temple. From 1 Corinthians 3:16, we know the temple is our body or vessel that holds the Spirit.
Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s spirit lives in you?
Because of Christ, the Spirit lives in each believer. When God gives two or more people a common purpose to build up something good for the kingdom, there is a chemistry and consistency that makes each individual better. One is bound to the other which provides endurance, encouragement, and extra strength.
Lord, we are thankful that our faith is three strands tied together. The Father, the Son, and Holy Spirit support us as individuals. We are bound together by Jesus, and we all work together to build each other up to make us all stronger. We each contribute as we work together as one and give it our best. In so doing, what was impossible becomes possible in Jesus’ name, amen!
Like a reservoir of water that collects from rain or from melting snow to create this amazing lake named Lake Tahoe, we need to store up the Word of God for encouragement to carry on day by day. We have good days and bad days just like David who needed encouragement when he wrote Psalm 61.
Just as David was at a turning point, many times you may face circumstances that are difficult. Like David, take advantage of the opportunities each day brings to go to God in prayer and dream big dreams together. With God’s helping hand along with some trustworthy friends to assist, these aspirations can become reality.
This Day With God - A Spiritual Journey 