Dave's Diary

Daily Readings: 1 Kings 5 and Psalm 105

A temple was to be built. It was to be modelled on the design and layout of the tabernacle, which in turn was a pale physical reflection of the spiritual reality of heavenly worship (Hebrews 8:1-5). In this temple, the people of God were to be able to encounter the reality of the living God, Yahweh, the Great I Am, the Eternal One, the LORD, through corporate worship, prayer and sacrifice.

To construct this temple, thirty thousand men worked at transporting the best possible wood from Lebanon in a very structured rhythm of one month on, two months at home. For the foundations and walls of the temple, one hundred and fifty thousand men were conscripted to cut and carry the best quality stone from Israelite quarries in the hill country. For Solomon, quite correctly, no expense was spared and nothing but the best materials would do. All of his wisdom was applied in the organization and administration of the “purchasing”, the supply lines, and the productions lines in this huge, national endeavour.

We would be well served by considering whether we have a great endeavour to which we dedicate the best of our resources, energy and wisdom. Is there a task, a ministry, or a group of God’s people to which I sacrificially give the best of myself? Am I working to build something (whether physically or metaphorically) to the glory of God? Am I clear about God’s intended outcome for that work of service? Have I received God’s wisdom for accomplishing my task?

Heavenly Father, please grant me Your vision for the work of my hands. Please help me to see what You desire me to accomplish with the time, energy and talents I have been given by Your grace. Please grant me the revelation of Your will and Your wisdom for the accomplishment of the tasks You have set for me, and bring glory to Your name through my efforts. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.