Text: 2 Corinthians 5:1-7

5:1  For we know that if our earthly ^[a]house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

5:2  For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our ^[b]habitation which is from heaven, 

5:3   if indeed, having been clothed, we shall not be found naked.

5:4     For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, not because we want to be unclothed, but further clothed, that mortality may be swallowed up by life. 

5:5 Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as ^[c]a guarantee.

5:6   So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord.

5:7 For we walk by faith, not by sight.

STUDY:

In this passage, Paul masterfully contrasts our earthly existence with our heavenly future. He describes our physical bodies as “earthy tents” (v. 1), fragile and temporary, while our heavenly dwelling is an “eternal house” (v. 1) crafted by God. Paul’s longing for heaven is intense as he groans, eager to exchange his mortal body for immortality (vv. 2-4). This desire isn’t driven by disregard for life but by the promise of eternal life. Our heavenly bodies will be “clothed” with incorruption, freeing us from mortality’s burdens (v. 4). The Holy Spirit serves as a “deposit” or guarantee of our heavenly inheritance (v. 5), securing our future. This assurance enables us to live by faith, not sight (v. 7).

Though our earthly tents may fail, our eternal homes await. Paul’s words offer comfort amidst suffering and uncertainty. Our struggles are temporary; our glory is eternal. As believers, we’re caught between two realities, the now and the not-yet. May this promise sustain us: God is building us an eternal mansion, where sorrow and pain will fade into eternal joy. In the face of life’s challenges, let us fix our gaze on the heavenly horizon, where our eternal home awaits. May the hope of heaven transform our lives, empowering us to live with purpose, perseverance, and passion!

Prayer: 

Dear Lord, thank you for my eternal home. Help me live by faith, longing for heaven, and clothed in your promise. Amen.

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Text: John 21:15-25

21:15     So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of ^[a]Jonah, do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I ^[b]love You.” He said to him, “Feed My lambs.”

21:16  He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of ^[c]Jonah, do you love Me?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I ^[d]love You.”He said to him, “Tend My sheep.”

21:17  He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of ^[e]Jonah, do you ^[f]love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep.

21:18    Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish.”

21:19 This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, “Follow Me.”

21:20   Then Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following, who also had leaned on His breast at the supper, and said, “Lord, who is the one who betrays You?”

21:21 Peter, seeing him, said to Jesus, “But Lord, what about this man?”

21:22   Jesus said to him, “If I ^[g]will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me.”

21:23  Then this saying went out among the brethren that this disciple would not die. Yet Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but, “If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you?”

21:24 This is the disciple who testifies of these things, and wrote these things; and we know that his testimony is true.

21:25 And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen.

STUDY:

In today’s Bible passage, Jesus restores Peter to leadership after his triple denial. Their memorable conversation begins with Jesus’ triple affirmation: “Do you love me?” (vv. 15-17). Peter’s affirmations prompted Jesus’ commission: “Feed my sheep,” signifying Peter’s renewed role. Jesus foresaw Peter’s future martyrdom (vv. 18-19), redeeming his past failure. The call to “Follow me” (v. 19) emphasised discipleship’s essence: Surrendering plans to Jesus’ will. The discussion about John’s fate (vv. 20-23) highlights unique callings. Jesus’ response cautions against comparing paths. John’s eyewitness testimony (vv. 24-25) affirms Scripture’s reliability and personal experience’s significance.

Key themes emerge as follow—Redemption: Jesus forgave Peter. Humility: Peter’s commission required acknowledging Jesus’ sovereignty. Unique callings: Jesus highlighted distinct paths. This passage encourages believers struggling with past failures or uncertain callings. Jesus’ words resonate: “Follow me.” Surrendering to His will brings redemption, restored purpose, and deepened faith.
This conversation reminds us that our past does not define us; our future is shaped by Jesus’ love. By following Him, we experience forgiveness, renewed purpose, and transformed lives. Jesus’ restoration of Peter demonstrates His power to redeem and forgive, offering hope to all believers. His words echo through the ages: “Follow me.”

Prayer: 

Dear Jesus, restore me like Peter, forgiving our past failures. Help us follow you, feeding your sheep, and surrendering our plans to Your sovereign will. Amen.

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Text: Philippians 1:1-11

1:1   Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all God’s holy people in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons^[a]

1:2  Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

1:3  I thank my God every time I remember you.

1:4    In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 

1:5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 

1:6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

1:7  It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me. 

1:8  God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.

1:9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight,

1:10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ

1:11  filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.

STUDY:

Today, we joyfully express heartfelt gratitude as Nigeria celebrates her 66th independence anniversary, honouring our nation’s freedom, resilience, and remarkable journey. Paul’s letter to the Philippians (1:1-11) begins with a warm greeting, showcasing his deep appreciation for the church. He sets the tone for the epistle, emphasising gratitude, grace, and gospel partnership. Paul expresses heartfelt gratitude to God for the Philippians (vv. 3-4), thanking Him for their partnership in the gospel.

This shared faith and ministry bring Paul joy, so he demonstrated genuine appreciation for their fellowship. He highlighted their role in spreading the gospel (vv. 5-7), emphasising shared responsibility and God’s initiating grace. This partnership empowers believers to advance the gospel.
Paul’s affection and longing for the Philippians (vv. 8-9), reflect his deep investment in their spiritual well-being. He yearns for them with Christ’s compassion, demonstrating pastoral concern. His prayer (vv. 9-11) seeks spiritual growth, love, knowledge, and discernment. Paul desired their love to overflow, enabling them to discern what is excellent and live blameless lives until Christ’s return. Philippians 1:1-11 beautifully illustrates Paul’s heartfelt relationship with the Philippians. This passage encourages believers to value gratitude, grace, and gospel partnership, striving for spiritual growth and discernment.

Prayer: 

Dear Father, may my heart be filled with joy, gratitude, and a deeper commitment to advancing the gospel in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

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Text: 1 Kings 7:48-51

7:48   Thus Solomon had all the furnishings made for the house of the Lord: the altar of gold, and the table of gold on which was the showbread; 

7:49 the lampstands of pure gold, five on the right side and five on the left in front of the inner sanctuary, with the flowers and the lamps and the wick-trimmers of gold; 

7:50 the basins, the trimmers, the bowls, the ladles, and the ^[a]censers of pure gold; and the hinges of gold, both for the doors of the inner room (the Most Holy Place) and for the doors of the main hall of the temple.

7:51   So all the work that King Solomon had done for the house of the Lord was finished; and Solomon brought in the things which his father David had dedicated: the silver and the gold and the furnishings. He put them in the treasuries of the house of the Lord.

STUDY:

In the narrative of the building of the temple by Solomon, Hiram took responsibility for the work in bronze, while Solomon was in charge of the work in gold. At the close of the narrative about the temple project, attention shifted from Hiram to Solomon: “Solomon also made all the furnishings for the house of the LORD” (v. 48). Solomon’s furnishings were made from gold, and included the altar, the table carrying the shewbread (v. 48), the ten lamp stands (v. 49), the censers, and the hinges for the doors, both of the temple and of the Most Holy Place (v. 50). The furnishings of gold by Solomon concluded the temple project (v. 51a), alongside David’s dedicated items of silver and gold brought into the temple treasuries by Solomon (v. 51b). Thus, the temple was ready for worship.

The completion of the temple was achieved because of teamwork. Hiram worked the bronze and Solomon worked the gold. David’s dedicated items of silver and gold were also needed to complete the temple. As Solomon followed the Holy Spirit’s plan to build the temple (cf 1 Chron. 28:11-12), utilizing teamwork to complete it, so should we follow God’s plan for our lives, allowing the Holy Spirit to lead us in utilizing our individual gifts in service to God. Relationships require teamwork. Marriage requires cooperation; family and church life require cooperation. Be a team player from today!

Prayer: 

Lord, help me make teamwork an important part of my life. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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Text: Mat. 18:1-10

8:1  At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”

8:2 Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, 

8:3   and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. 

8:4   Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 

8:5   Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me.

8:6    “But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea.

8:7  Woe to the world because of ^[a]offenses! For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes!

8:8    “If your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life lame or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet, to be cast into the everlasting fire.

8:9 And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into ^[b]hell fire.

8:10 “Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven.

STUDY:

Today, September 29, is Saint Michael and all Angels Day, a day set aside to celebrate the Ministry of the Angels. On this day, we are reminded of the role of Angel Michael who is known for being in command of many angels to fight the dragon (Rev. 12:7-8; cf Dan. 10:12-13). Angels are created beings but by nature, are spirits meant to assist us. They are not to be worshipped or prayed to (Rev. 22:9; Col. 2:18). They are ministering servants to believers (Heb. 1:14), and shall be judged by believers (1 Cor. 6:3). Angels praise the Lord and do His commands (Psa. 103:20; 148:2); rejoice in the salvation of men (Luke 15:10); and minister to the heirs of salvation (Heb. 1:14 cf 1 Kings 19:5-8; Dan. 6:22).

Verse 10 of our text today reveals that believers have guardian angels. Just as we have physical security guards who defend us against physical enemies, so too believers have heavenly security guards—angels who watch over us. If the Lord will open our eyes to see the angels keeping guard over us, we will get to know that the angelic guards on our side are more than the evil forces in our enemy’s camp (2 Kings 6:15-17). Let us take the Lord by His word that “I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matt. 28:20), and be assured that His guardian angels will continually attend to us to protect us from the evil one.

Prayer: 

Father, thank you for the angels you have posted to watch over me. Amen.

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Text: 1 Kings 7:38-47

7:38  Then he made ten lavers of bronze; each laver contained ^[k]forty baths, and each laver was four cubits. On each of the ten carts was a laver

7:39 And he put five carts on the right side of the house, and five on the left side of the house. He set the Sea on the right side of the house, toward the southeast. 

7:40   Huram^[l] made the lavers and the shovels and the bowls. So Huram finished doing all the work that he was to do for King Solomon for the house of the Lord:

7:41   the two pillars, the two bowl-shaped capitals that were on top of the two pillars; the two networks covering the two bowl-shaped capitals which were on top of the pillars; 

7:42  four hundred pomegranates for the two networks (two rows of pomegranates for each network, to cover the two bowl-shaped capitals that were on top of the pillars); 

7:43   the ten carts, and ten lavers on the carts;

7:44  one Sea, and twelve oxen under the Sea;

7:45    the pots, the shovels, and the bowls. All these articles which ^[m]Huram made for King Solomon for the house of the Lord were of burnished bronze. 

7:46 In the plain of Jordan the king had them cast in clay molds, between Succoth and Zaretan

7:47  And Solomon did not weigh all the articles, because there were so many; the weight of the bronze was not determined.

STUDY:

We read in verse 37 that “… Solomon did not weigh all the articles, because there were so many; the weight of the bronze was not determined.” Solomon did not think he should be economical or not waste the resources to furnish the house of God, hence we are told he did not bother to count the cost of the many articles and bronze used in furnishing God’s temple. Remember that Solomon had asked from God an understanding heart to judge His people, that he may discern between good and evil (1 Kings 3:9), but God gave him in addition, riches and honour (1 Kings 3:13). So, Solomon was aware that it was God who had made him wealthy, and all he spent in the service of God, he had freely received.

Beloved, what is it that you have that you have not freely received? The psalmist says, “The earth is the LORD’s, and all its fullness” (Psa. 24:1). The widow gave “her whole livelihood” (Mark 12:41-44); the Macedonians gave “beyond their ability” (2 Cor. 8:3); and Jesus Christ “gave Himself a ransom for all” (1 Tim. 2:6). Jesus Himself says, “Freely you have received, freely give” (Matt. 10:8). In Jesus, we have received a new life, a new family of believers; and a new hope. Because God has showered us with these blessings, we should generously give to God and others. Freely we have received, freely should we give.

Prayer: 

Father; help me to give as freely as I have received. Amen.

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Text: Matthew 25:14-30

25:14  “For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them.

25:15 And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey. 

25:16  Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents.

25:17   And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. 

25:18  But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord’s money.

25:19   After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them.

25:20 “So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.’

25:21   His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ 

25:22 He also who had received two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.

25:23   His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’

25:24  “Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed.

25:25 And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.’

25:26 “But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed.

25:27  So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. 

25:28 So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents.

25:29 ‘For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away.

25:30 And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

STUDY:

The Parable of the Talents is about a master and his three servants. The master travelled abroad and gave five, two and one talent(s) respectively to his servants, to trade with. On his return, the first two servants had doubled their talents but the third servant had nothing to present to his master other than the one talent he was given, which he dug the ground and hid. The master praised the first two (vv. 21&23), but condemned the third servant for being wicked, lazy and unprofitable (vv. 26&27). His one talent was given to the servant with the most talents. The two faithful servants received equal commendation, while the unfaithful servant was cast into outer darkness to be condemned.

God has blessed us with resources and gifts and He expects us to put them to best possible use. This enables God’s work to move forward as efficiently and effectively as possible. The Lord expects His servants to be faithful to the task give to them while waiting for His return. Our right response to these blessings and gifts result in ultimate rewards as we find with the two servants who “Enter into the joy of your lord” (vv. 21&23). Of course, the wrong response results in condemnation like we see of the servant who did not put his talent to work and ended up being “cast… into the outer darkness” (v. 30). Don’t waste time to put to work God’s resources in your care, and you will be blessed for it.

Prayer: 

Father, may none of your resources you’ve blessed me with lie idle. Amen

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Text: 1 Kings 7:27-37

7:27 He also made ten ^[i]carts of bronze; four cubits was the length of each cart, four cubits its width, and three cubits its height.

7:28 And this was the design of the carts: They had panels, and the panels were between frames; 

7:29    on the panels that were between the frames were lions, oxen, and cherubim. And on the frames was a pedestal on top. Below the lions and oxen were wreaths of plaited work.

7:30   Every cart had four bronze wheels and axles of bronze, and its four feet had supports. Under the laver were supports of cast bronze beside each wreath.

7:31  Its opening inside the crown at the top was one cubit in diameter; and the opening was round, shaped like a pedestal, one and a half cubits in outside diameter; and also on the opening were engravings, but the panels were square, not round.

7:32   Under the panels were the four wheels, and the axles of the wheels were joined to the cart. The height of a wheel was one and a half cubits.

7:33 The workmanship of the wheels was like the workmanship of a chariot wheel; their axle pins, their rims, their spokes, and their hubs were all of cast bronze.

7:34   And there were four supports at the four corners of each cart; its supports were part of the cart itself.

7:35 On the top of the cart, at the height of half a cubit, it was perfectly round. And on the top of the cart, its flanges and its panels were of the same casting

7:36   On the plates of its flanges and on its panels he engraved cherubim, lions, and palm trees, wherever there was a clear space on each, with wreaths all around

7:37  Thus he made the ten carts. All of them were of ^[j]the same mold, one measure, and one shape.

STUDY:

King of Tyre recommended Huram, a man full of wisdom and understanding, to Solomon to carry out the bronze work of the temple (vv. 13-14). He constructed ten bronze moveable water carts, each holding a basin for rinsing burnt offerings (v. 27 cf 2 Chron. 4:6). Each cart had four wheel stands with axles to make them mobile (v. 30). The wheels are made like chariot wheels, and their axle pins, rims, spokes, and hubs, were cast in bronze (v. 33). The carts were identical in size and shape (v. 37) and were decorated with carved lions, oxen, and cherubim, together with wreath decorations above and below (vv. 28-29). Also, each of the water carts had four handles, extending out (v. 34), and the top of the carts had ring shapes (v. 35).

Dearly beloved, looking at the way the ten water carts are constructed, you will agree that it took much wisdom and understanding to produce such excellent pieces of furnishings. Huram was recommended to Solomon because he was apparently a very superior craftsman. The secret of his success story rests on the wisdom and understanding he possessed. In Christ, you and I have inexhaustible resources to draw from to excel, like Huram. In Christ, God does “freely gives us all things” (Rom. 8:32), including wisdom to excel, if we ask (James 1:5). Ask for wisdom and understanding concerning all you do, that you may excel and so your work will recommend you.

Prayer: 

Father; grant me wisdom and understanding to excel in all I do.

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Text: 1 Kings 7:13-26

7:13 But Solomon took thirteen years to build his own house; so he finished all his house.

7:14   He was the son of a widow from the tribe of Naphtali, and his father was a man of Tyre, a bronze worker; he was filled with wisdom and understanding and skill in working with all kinds of bronze work. So he came to King Solomon and did all his work.

7:15     And he ^[b]cast two pillars of bronze, each one eighteen cubits high, and a line of twelve cubits measured the circumference of each. 

7:16   Then he made two capitals of cast bronze, to set on the tops of the pillars. The height of one capital was five cubits, and the height of the other capital was five cubits. 

7:17He made a lattice network, with wreaths of chainwork, for the capitals which were on top of the pillars: seven chains for one capital and seven for the other capital.

7:18  So he made the pillars, and two rows of pomegranates above the network all around to cover the capitals that were on top; and thus he did for the other capital.

7:19 So he made the pillars, and two rows of pomegranates above the network all around to cover the capitals that were on top; and thus he did for the other capital.

7:20   The capitals on the two pillars also had pomegranates above, by the convex surface which was next to the network; and there were two hundred such pomegranates in rows on each of the capitals all around.

7:21 Then he set up the pillars by the vestibule of the temple; he set up the pillar on the right and called its name ^[c]Jachin, and he set up the pillar on the left and called its name ^[d]Boaz.

7:22  The tops of the pillars were in the shape of lilies. So the work of the pillars was finished.

7:23 And he made the Sea of cast bronze, ten cubits from one brim to the other; it was completely round. Its height was five cubits, and a line of thirty cubits measured its circumference.

7:24 Below its brim were ornamental buds encircling it all around, ten to a cubit, all the way around the Sea. The ornamental buds were cast in two rows when it was cast. 

7;25 It stood on twelve oxen: three looking toward the north, three looking toward the west, three looking toward the south, and three looking toward the east; the Sea was set upon them, and all their back parts pointed inward. 

7:26  It was a handbreadth thick; and its brim was shaped like the brim of a cup, like a lily blossom. It contained ^[e]two thousand baths.

STUDY:

Our text today focuses on the temple’s furnishings. Notice that Solomon had to engage Huram (Hebrew – Hiram), who was an expert craftsman. Solomon chose only the best when we consider the sterling qualities of Huram. We are told, “He was filled with wisdom and understanding and skill in working with all kinds of bronze work” (v. 14). To be “filled with wisdom and understanding” is a sign of a Spirit-controlled life. We have a similar story when the tabernacle was being built in the time of Moses.

We read that Bezalel and Oholiab who had Spirit-filled abilities in artistic craftsmanship, were uniquely gifted to design and build a tabernacle befitting a holy and magnificent God (cf Exod. 31:1-11). Before we can give our best in the service of God, we must be full of the Spirit, manifesting wisdom and understanding (v. 14 cf Isa. 11:2; Exod. 31:3). You will notice that in the choosing of the seven deacons, the apostles looked for men “full of the Spirit and wisdom” (Acts 6:3). We cannot be in the flesh and hope to give God our best. The Scripture makes it clear that “Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit” (John 3:6). Do you have the power of the Holy Spirit available to you all the time? Are you born again? (John 3:3, 5). In whatever capacity we are serving in the church, without the Spirit’s empowerment, we cannot give our best.

Prayer: 

Father; please fill me with your spirit so I can give you my best.

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Text: : 1 Kings 7:1-12

7:1 But Solomon took thirteen years to build his own house; so he finished all his house.

7:2   He also built the House of the Forest of Lebanon; its length was ^[a]one hundred cubits, its width ^[b]fifty cubits, and its height thirty cubits, with four rows of cedar pillars, and cedar beams on the pillars.

7:3   And it was paneled with cedar above the beams that were on forty-five pillars, fifteen to a row. 

7:4   There were windows with beveled frames in three rows, and window was opposite window in three tiers

7:5 And all the doorways and doorposts had rectangular frames; and window was opposite window in three tiers.

7:6  He also made the Hall of Pillars: its length was fifty cubits, and its width thirty cubits; and in front of them was a portico with pillars, and a canopy was in front of them.

7:7 Then he made a hall for the throne, the Hall of Judgment, where he might judge; and it was paneled with cedar from floor to ^[c]ceiling.

7:8   And the house where he dwelt had another court inside the hall, of like workmanship. Solomon also made a house like this hall for Pharaoh’s daughter, whom he had taken as wife.

7:9  All these were of costly stones cut to size, trimmed with saws, inside and out, from the foundation to the eaves, and also on the outside to the great court.

7:10  The foundation was of costly stones, large stones, some ten cubits and some eight cubits.

7:11 And above were costly stones, hewn to size, and cedar wood.

7:12 The great court was enclosed with three rows of hewn stones and a row of cedar beams. So were the inner court of the house of the Lord and the vestibule of the temple.

STUDY:

King Solomon can be described as a master builder when we consider the complex nature of his palace which comprised of the House of the Forest of Lebanon (vv. 2-5), the Hall of Pillars (v. 6), the Hall of Judgement (v. 7), a lavish open court containing other buildings, and his own house (vv. 8-12). As a master builder, Solomon had to set his priority right by ensuring that he started with the temple project which was a house built for God, before embarking on his palace complex which took him thirteen years to complete (v. 1). Solomon built for God and God had to build for Solomon, so to speak. Solomon’s desire to complete the Lord’s house before building his own house is commendable.

We have many desires that compete for our attention and we must remember that God’s work is priority. The Scripture enjoins us to seek first God’s kingdom and His righteousness, and the basic necessities of life will be ours too (Matt. 6:33). Who knows whether Solomon would have succeeded in building his palace if he had not built God’s house first. We read in Haggai 1:2ff how God rebuked His people for building their houses instead of rebuilding His temple. When we put God first, He will provide for our deepest needs (cf Matt. 6:33).

Prayer: 

Father, help me to build my life in the faith according to your pattern.

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