It took Solomon thirteen years, however, to complete the construction of his palace. (1 Kings 7:1) Solomon built himself an extravagant home, and it begs the question: did he need to make it that big? Do we ever reach a level of satisfaction and say enough is enough? Couldn't the resources that God gave to Solomon have been used for other means? Was an enormous ... [Continue Reading]
A Great God (2 Chronicles 2-3)
“The temple I am going to build will be great, because our God is greater than all other gods. But who is able to build a temple for him, since the heavens, even the highest heavens, cannot contain him? Who then am I to build a temple for him, except as a place to burn sacrifices before him?” (2 Chronicles 2:5-6) God is big. How big? Well, let's just say He's big ... [Continue Reading]
Waiting on God (1 Kings 5-6)
But now the Lord my God has given me rest on every side, and there is no adversary or disaster. I intend, therefore, to build a temple for the Name of the Lord my God, as the Lord told my father David, when he said, ‘Your son whom I will put on the throne in your place will build the temple for my Name.’ (1 Kings 5:4-5) Sometimes in your relationship with God it feels ... [Continue Reading]
See What You Want to See (Song of Solomon 5-8)
My beloved is radiant and ruddy, outstanding among ten thousand. His head is purest gold; his hair is wavy and black as a raven. (Song of Solomon 5:10-11) There is a sense in which we see what we want to see. It's true in life, and it's true in relationships. How else could starry-eyed lovers end up together in sheer bliss only to find that they can't stand the ... [Continue Reading]
Awakening Love (Song of Solomon 1-4)
Do not arouse or awaken love until it so desires. (Song of Solomon 2:7b) There is a danger in awakening love too early or too quickly. Even so, our culture is bent on encouraging people to awaken love at a rapid pace, in search of the perfect relationship or in search simply of pleasure. How often in our culture are people guilty of awakening love too quickly? How ... [Continue Reading]
How to Love God (1 Kings 3-4; 2 Chronicles 1)
Solomon showed his love for the Lord by walking according to the instructions given him by his father David, except that he offered sacrifices and burned incense on the high places. (1 Kings 3:3) Sometimes it's hard to know how to love a God we cannot see, feel, or touch. God's invisible qualities make it challenging to even remember that His presence is with us. With ... [Continue Reading]
Death Bed Advice (1 Kings 1-2)
When the time drew near for David to die, he gave a charge to Solomon his son. “I am about to go the way of all the earth,” he said. “So be strong, act like a man, and observe what the Lord your God requires: Walk in obedience to him, and keep his decrees and commands, his laws and regulations, as written in the Law of Moses.” (1 Kings 2:1-3a) A person's final words are ... [Continue Reading]
A Pleasing Heart (1 Chronicles 28-29)
I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity. (1 Chronicles 29:17) God cares more about your heart than He does about your actions. Christ's death on the cross made it possible for us to be made right with God in spite of our actions but not in spite of our hearts. David was called a man after God's own heart, and this title was given to him ... [Continue Reading]
Careful What You Count (2 Samuel 24; 1 Chronicles 21-22)
David was conscience-stricken after he had counted the fighting men, and he said to the Lord, “I have sinned greatly in what I have done. Now, O Lord, I beg you, take away the guilt of your servant. I have done a very foolish thing.” (2 Samuel 24) There are some things that are very valuable to count. For instance, I was leading a group of students on a trip to Chicago ... [Continue Reading]
Persevering Against All Odds (2 Samuel 22-23)
Next to him was Eleazar son of Dodai the Ahohite. As one of the three mighty men, he was with David when they taunted the Philistines gathered at Pas Dammim for battle. Then the men of Israel retreated, but he stood his ground and struck down the Philistines till his hand grew tired and froze to the sword. The Lord brought about a great victory that day. The troops ... [Continue Reading]
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