[Originally posted in a WhatsApp group (DG) as a reading update (reflection) from one chapter of the Bible a day]
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"Give
me now wisdom and knowledge to go out and come in before this people, for who
can govern this people of yours, which is so great?"
And
do we seek wisdom? James exhorts us to ask God for wisdom. What do we usually
pray for?
Like
Matthew 6, God gave Solomon everything a king would need!
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"Now
Solomon purposed to build a temple for the name of the LORD, and a royal palace
for himself."
Great
and prosperous kings are known for their works. For that matter, everyone is
known by one’s works. Solomon set out to build magnificent buildings.
Hardworking.
Intense labor. Sweat. Many years. Criticism. All these made him a name!
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"Then
Solomon began to build the house of the LORD in Jerusalem on Mount Moriah,
where the LORD had appeared to his father David, at the place that David had
prepared on the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite."
He
made it his priority to build the temple of God. Well, his father had made the
preparation for it. The political, social, economic, and religious conditions
were all favorable. He himself made it to be his priority right from the start
of his reign. Preparing and preparing and finally building on his 4th year.
Priority
with Providence brings Prosperity.
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"Huram
also made the pails, the shovels and the bowls. So Huram finished doing the
work which he performed for King Solomon in the house of God"
Have
you ever wondered why so many details about the temple which never lasted long
and which we never see?
God
is a God of details. He knows everything, and each and every step of God is
necessary and great.
God
created the universe within a week. He takes a lifetime to create you and me.
Until we are ushered into the glory, God is still working, perfecting us!
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"So
that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud, for the
glory of the LORD filled the house of God."
Music
leaders, Singers, and Preachers must fade away and the glory of God must be
witnessed in the worship service. Sadly, people want attention. They want to be
seen, admired, applauded and praised.
The
best worship service is when nobody remembers those people on the stage and only
remembers their encounter with God!
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"Likewise,
when a foreigner, who is not of your people Israel, comes from a far country
for the sake of your great name and your mighty hand and your outstretched arm,
when he comes and prays toward this house"
King
Solomon prayed even for the foreigners! Let us be very rich in our prayers!
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"If
my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face
and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive
their sin and heal their land."
This
is true in general. But the world is fallen, and so actually those who want to
live a godly life will have a tough life, persecution.
But
surely if the majority (not some) repented, then it will be heaven on earth!
That day will come someday btw!
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"Then
Solomon brought Pharaoh's daughter up from the city of David to the house which
he had built for her, for he said, ‘My wife shall not dwell in the house of
David king of Israel, because the places are holy where the ark of the LORD has
entered.’"
King
Solomon was manipulating the commandment of God. He married an idolater and
build a separate house for her to not defile the house of God.
Well,
this is true for every sinner when they sinned!
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"How
blessed are your men, how blessed are these your servants who stand before you
continually and hear your wisdom."
And
how abundantly blessed is a man who hears [listens to] words of God every day
from the Bible, from the faithful preachers, and in the gathering of the
saints!
And
how blessed are we that we continue to update our reading [in a WhatsApp group]
till today!