1 Chron 22:5 (MEV): “Solomon my son is young and inexperienced, and the house that is to be built for the Lord must be exceedingly magnificent, of fame and glory throughout all the lands. Therefore, I will make preparation for it now. “So, David made extensive preparation before his death.
1 Chron 22:9 (MEV): A son shall be born to you who shall be a man of rest. I will give him rest from all his enemies all around. Solomon will be his name, and I will give peace and tranquility to Israel in his days. He will be the one to build a house for My name. He shall be a son to Me, and I will be a Father to him, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel forever.
God loves details, He knows who will do what for Him, and who will supply what is needed to complete the project. God chose this people (Israel) to fill his great promises and purposes. God is still their God and He is not finished with them, even if they have proven over and over to trust things besides Him. He often uses those who aren’t qualified to do the task. That way we will know it is all Him! This week He is asking Israel to come together to build him a temple.
If I were Solomon, I would read these words over and over. It is amazing, especially knowing how much unrest is in Israel even this week, that God would show so much mercy to Solomon for all his days. Only one thing is required: to keep the law of the Lord your God.
I Chron. 22:12-13 (MEV): Only may the Lord give you insight and understanding and give you charge over Israel so you may keep the law of the Lord your God. Then you will prosper if you carefully observe the statutes and the judgments which the Lord commanded Moses for Israel. Be strong and of good courage. Do not be afraid or dismayed.
Prosperity depends on observing God’s way. If I want to be strong and of good courage, I need to place my faith in God. To do that involves not being afraid, or worrying about my future, but believing that no matter what, God has me in the shelter of His Wings. My name may not be Solomon, but God will still give me a life of peace and tranquility if my heart rests in His. That doesn’t mean I won’t have troubles, but it does mean that I will be able to walk through each one with the strength that God supplies.
In addition to stonecutters, masons, carpenters, and men skilled in all kinds of work- gold, silver, bronze and iron, (v.16), God also provided the Levites to be officers of God, officers of the sanctuay, to be judges, gatekeepers, He also provided for those trained in playing lyres, harps, and cymbals and for those trained for singing praises. This is my favorite provision, I am so glad that God desires music to be in His temple.
Psalm 78:6-8 (MEV): that the generation to come might know them, even the children who are not yet born, who will arise and declare them to their children: that they might set their hope in God and not forget the works of God, but keep His commandments, and they might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation, a generation that did not set their hearts steadfast, and whose spirit was not faithful to God.
What God desires is so simple in theory. It is for His name to be honored and His fame to be declared from generation to generation. He wants me to have hope and for me to remember all the blessings that God has done for me. That I keep my heart steadfast on God and that His spirit is welcome in all that I do. He desires that I pass His fame to the next generation.
But over and over, Israel did not believe in God nor trust in His deliverance. When God turned His wrath against Israel, they turned back to Him time and time again. They turned back and longed for God. They remembered that God was their rock, and The Highest God, their redeemer. (v.35)
Psalm 78 36-39 (MEV): Nevertheless, they flattered Hm with their mouth, and they lied to Him with their tongues; for their heart was not devoted to Him, neither were they committed to His covenant. But He being full of compassion forgave their iniquity and did not destroy them. He constantly restrained His anger, and did not stir up all His wrath; for He remembered that they were but flesh.
Over and over Israel did not remember God’s power, over and over they forgot how He delivered them time after time. God knew their heart’s; He knew that their intentions was only to avoid punishments. Yet God chose to show mercy over and over because His heart is for His people. That is such a great love! He chose to lead them in safety, He chose to spare them from death. Even when they didn’t choose Him!
Romans 5:16 (MEV): For the judgement from one sin led to condemnation, but the free gift, which came after many trespasses, leads to justification.
Romans 5:20-21 (MEV): But the law entered, so that sin might increase, but where sin increased, grace abounded much more. So that just as sin reigned in death, grace might reign through righteousness unto eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
And God in His great love and mercy also choose to send His son Jesus Christ because He knew we were “but flesh” and incapable of keeping all that He asked, so He made a way in the wilderness. Therefore, I, an undeserving person, might find grace through Jesus Christ and live forever with Them in eternity. Now that is a happy ending for all who believe.
Dear God, your love amazes me. As we thought about Israel’s journey this week, and how many times they made you angry, it makes me sad. Sad because I did the exact same thing. Thank you for turning your wrath away from me because you remembered that I was “but flesh”. Thank you for sending Jesus to die so that I could live. It is far from an even exchange, but it is love, pure love, and I thank you for making a way for all who will believe. Again, your love amazes me! You amaze me! In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen!
Carol (carolvorwe)
Sixty-six books in a year 