Today’s Reading: Psalm 40, 52, 70

Oh Holy God! I stay amazed. / You are so much more than words could ever say. / Oh Holy God! I pour out my praise / On the One who never ceases to amaze [https://gatewayworship.com]

These are lyrics to the song Stay Amazed by Gateway Worship, and they are the song my heart is singing today. Our God is amazing, but consider how easy it is for us to get so used to that idea that we stop celebrating it. We can easily get so accustomed to the concept that our God is awesome that we don’t stop to really consider just how incredible He is. What if we were to recognize how amazing God is and then stay there! What if we were to stay amazed?!!

OUR GOD IS AMAZING

He is more than words can say, yet the Psalmist did a great job of putting the wonderful attributes of God into words. Let’s read the words of Psalm 40 this morning as if we were hearing these things for the first time. Let’s celebrate our wonderful God and STAY AMAZED all day long!

I waited patiently for the Lord to help me,
and he turned to me and heard my cry.
He lifted me out of the pit of despair,
out of the mud and the mire.
He set my feet on solid ground
and steadied me as I walked along.
He has given me a new song to sing,
a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see what he has done and be amazed.
They will put their trust in the Lord.

Oh, the joys of those who trust the Lord,
who have no confidence in the proud
or in those who worship idols.
O Lord my God, you have performed many wonders for us.
Your plans for us are too numerous to list.
You have no equal.
If I tried to recite all your wonderful deeds,
I would never come to the end of them.

You take no delight in sacrifices or offerings.
Now that you have made me listen, I finally understand –
You don’t require burnt offerings or sin offerings.
Then I said, “Look, I have come.
As is written about me in the Scriptures:
I take joy in doing your will, my God, for your instructions are written on my heart.”…

Lord, don’t hold back your tender mercies from me.
Let your unfailing love and faithfulness always protect me…

But may all who search for you
be filled with joy and gladness in you.
May those who love your salvation
repeatedly shout, “The Lord is great!” – Psalm 40:1-9, 11, 16

OUR GOD IS GREAT

But I am like an olive tree, thriving in the house of God.
I will always trust in God’s unfailing love.
I will praise you forever, O God, for what you have done.
I will trust in your good name in the presence of your faithful people. – Psalm 52:8-9

But may all who search for you be filled with joy and gladness in you.
May those who love your salvation repeatedly shout, “God is great!” – Psalm 70:4

“God is so great – higher than the heavens, higher than the farthest stars.” – Job 22:12

Great is the Lord! He is most worthy of praise!…
Give to the Lord the glory he deserves!
Bring your offering and come into his courts.
Worship the Lord in all his holy splendor.
Let all the earth tremble before him. – Psalm 96:4a,8-9

OUR GOD IS HOLY

O God, your ways are holy. Is there any god as mighty as you? – Psalm 77:13

Let all that I am praise the Lord; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name. – Psalm 103:1

Lord, we stand before you AMAZED! You are great and you are holy! Your wonderful deeds are too numerous to recite, your love beyond unfailing. Lord, we praise you for what you have done and we join our voices together to say we trust in your good name. Amen.

Today’s Reading: Psalm 96, 98, 108 and 149

Sing a new song of praise to him…and sing with joy. – Psalm 33:3

Today is a new day. It’s not just any other morning. It’s a new day with new opportunities and a fresh chance to experience God in a new way! It is a special day with a unique purpose woven into God’s greater plan. It’s everything you need it to be. Today is God’s day and THE SHOW IS ABOUT TO BEGIN.

Sing a new song to the Lord! Let the whole earth sing to the Lord! Sing to the Lord; praise his name. Each day proclaim the good news that he saves…Great is the Lord! He is most worthy of praise! – Psalm 96:1-2,4a

I love having a new song to sing to the Lord! I love when my worship reflects what my heart is feeling and I get lost in the “dance”. One of my favorite new songs in 2022 has been Wouldn’t It Be Like You by Bryan and Katie Torwalt. If I listen to it in the morning, I find myself humming it all day. My heart connects with the lyrics in the bridge: Help me be like Mary / Laid down, pouring out / I won’t miss You in a crowd / Cause I love Your voice / And I know the sound / Jesus if it’s You / On the water, in the cloud / I’ll be the first one to walk out / Cause I love Your voice / And I know the sound

WHAT IS YOUR SONG?

I love songs of salvation that celebrate that point of change in our life. What song do you sing because of the place God has saved you from and the wondrous place to which He has brought you? God wants us to continue to sing his praise about the salvation we have experienced. He wants us to share our salvation experience so that others can see that our God saves!

Sing a new song to the Lord, for he has done wonderful deeds. His right hand has won a mighty victory; his holy arm has shown his saving power!…Shout to the Lord, all the earth; break out in praise and sing for joy! – Psalm 98:1,4

Sing a song of praise today for all of the wonderful things God has done in your life since you gave your heart to Him. From what has He delivered you? In what ways has He made a difference in your life? How has He shown Himself to you and in what ways has He been faithful?

SING A NEW SONG.

I will sing a new song to you, O God!…Yes, joyful are those who live like this! Joyful indeed are those whose God is the Lord. – Psalm 144:9a,15

Let’s sing a song of joy to the Lord today. My prayer is that all those around us today will sense that we have been in the presence of God by the joy that we show. If God has saved us, if God has delivered us, if God has healed us, if God has done wonderful things in our life, let our joy be evident!

Praise the Lord! Sing to the Lord a new song. Sing his praise in the assembly of the faithful…Let the faithful rejoice that he honors them. Let them sing for joy as they lie on their beds. Let the praises of God be in their mouths, and a sharp sword in their hands… – Psalm 149:1,5-6

WHAT SONG IS YOUR HEART WRITING?

If you were going to write a song today, what would the lyrics say? Perhaps that is what God is calling you to do today – to write a song or a poem or a love note to Him. What would your new song say?

Sing a new song to the Lord! Sing his praises from the ends of the earth!…Let the people of Sela sing for joy; shout praises from the mountaintops! Let the whole world glorify the Lord; let it sing his praise. — Isaiah 42:10,11b-12

Sing a NEW song! What is God doing in your life now – today? What is your most recent story of God’s faithfulness? It is great when we can tell the stories of the wonderful things God has done in our life but how wonderful to share a new and fresh song of what God is DOING.

What will God do today? I eagerly anticipate to hear from God today or to see Him in action – to feel His presence and be filled with His Spirit. What NEW song will God give me today? Will it be a song of praise or a song of salvation, a song of struggle or a song of commitment? I sit in expectation as I wait for the show to begin.

Today’s Reading: 1 Kings 11; 2 Chronicles 7:11-22; Psalm 39

King Solomon asked for wisdom and was blessed by God with wisdom and so many more blessings. God was generous with Solomon, equipping him to lead well and blessing His people through Solomon’s leadership. Yet Solomon lost his focus on the source of everything good in his life. 1 Kings 11:6 says that Solomon “refused to follow the Lord COMPLETELY as his father, David, had done.”

INSISTING ON OUR OWN WAY

God had given Solomon so much (wisdom, riches and honor) yet Solomon desired what God had not given him. The Lord had specifically instructed Solomon not to marry foreign women because they would turn his heart to their gods and away from the one true God. “Yet Solomon insisted on loving them anyway. He had 700 wives of royal birth and 300 concubines. And in fact, they did turn his heart away from the Lord” (1 Kings 11:2b-3).

Immediately my heart feels conviction at these words. How often have I desired what God has NOT given me instead of resting content in what He has given? I could easily change this verse to say, “Yet Sherry insisted on _____________ anyway.”

IT’S HARD NOT TO GET WHAT I WANT.

Maybe it is because I am the youngest child in my family. Maybe it is because I am a stubborn and determined person. Maybe it is because I am a sinner in need of our Savior. Anyone with me? My nature is to want to manipulate and beg and stubbornly hold onto desires when God has already told me “No”.

In response to Solomon’s unfaithfulness, God reduced the reign of his descendants to only one tribe. He then placed Jeroboam on the throne of the other ten tribes and God’s generosity was poured out on someone else besides Solomon. Solomon’s selfish decision divided God’s people. Some were still under the reign of Solomon’s son, Rehoboam, and some were now under the reign of King Jeroboam.

God had laid out clear expectations to help Solomon avoid a fall, and He gives us the same:

“And I will place you on the throne of Israel, and you will rule over all that your heart desires. If you…
° Listen to what I tell you and
° Follow my ways and
° Do whatever I consider to be right, and
° If you obey my decrees and commands as my servant David did,
THEN I will always be with you.” — 1 Kings 11:37-38a

FOLLOW MY WAYS

God brought me to a familiar passage again today, a passage in 2 Chronicles. These verses popped off the page, giving me a good way to end my morning coffee time and begin my day:

“I have heard your prayer and have chosen this Temple as the place for making sacrifices. At times I might shut up the heavens so that no rain falls, or command grasshoppers to devour your crops, or send plagues among you. Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land. My eyes will be open and my ears attentive to every prayer made in this place. For I have chosen this Temple and set it apart to be holy — a place where my name will be honored forever. I will always watch over it, for it is dear to my heart.” – 2 Chronicles 7:12-16

SEEK MY FACE

Here is that dance of life between God and man once again. God is sovereign and He is good. We are meant to let Him take the lead in our relationship with Him. But like the Israelites and King Solomon, we often pull out of His arms in a desire to do our own thing or in a gesture of pouting over God’s response to our requests. These verses we just read in 2 Chronicles are so powerful. He is God! At times He may bless us and at times He may take away His blessings in order to get us to once more call out His name, humbling ourselves and submitting to His lead.

We are merely moving shadows,
and all our busy rushing ends in nothing.
We heap up wealth,
not knowing who will spend it.
And so, Lord, where do I put my hope?
My only hope is in you.
Rescue me from my rebellion. – Psalm 39:6-8a

Father God, you are the source of everything good in my life! You have my attention! Today I choose to follow you COMPLETELY. May I not insist on anything in my life that is not what You desire for me. Please change the desires of my heart to match what you desire. Please give me wisdom as I listen to what you tell me and follow your ways. Give me a spirit of obedience to do whatever YOU consider to be right. Lord, this morning I humble myself before you and seek your face. Please forgive me, open your eyes to me and be attentive to my prayer. May your name be forever honored through my life.

Today may I hear you say, “YOU ARE DEAR TO MY HEART!”

Today’s Reading: 1 Kings 10; 2 Chronicles 9:1-28; Psalm 49

After hearing about Solomon’s wisdom and success, the Queen of Sheba came to visit. She brought spices, gold, and precious jewels, but she also brought a lot of hard questions. She was impressed with Solomon’s answers, but she was also amazed by his palace, the food that was prepared, the organization of his team, and the splendid clothing worn by his entourage.

She exclaimed to the king, “Everything I heard in my country about your achievements and wisdom is true! I didn’t believe what was said until I arrived here and saw it with my own eyes. In fact, I had not heard the half of it! Your wisdom and prosperity are far beyond what I was told. How happy your people must be! What a privilege for your officials to stand here day after day, listening to your wisdom! Praise the Lord your God, who delights in you and has placed you on the throne of Israel. Because of the Lord’s eternal love for Israel, he has made you king so you can rule with justice and righteousness.” – 1 Kings 10:6-9

SOLOMON’S LEADERSHIP CAUSED OTHERS TO PRAISE GOD.

When the Queen of Sheba saw all that Solomon had accomplished, she gave praise to the God of Israel. She recognized Solomon’s wisdom as being a gift from God and his wealth as being a result of God’s generous blessings. She credited God for all that Solomon was accomplishing, and for his ability to rule the people with both justice and righteousness.

Solomon’s wealth continued to increase over the years. He built a huge throne for himself out of ivory and gold. There were six steps going up to the throne; each step had a figure of a lion on each side. The grandeur of this throne was like no other that had ever been built. He drank from cups of solid gold. Once every three years, Solomon sent ships to bring back gold, silver, ivory, apes, and peacocks. He had 1,400 chariots and 4,000 stalls to house his 12,000 horses.

So King Solomon became richer and wiser than any other king on earth. Kings from every nation came to consult him and to hear the wisdom God had given him. Year after year everyone who visited brought him gifts of silver and gold, clothing, weapons, spices, horses, and mules. – 2 Chronicles 9:22-24

IT IS GOOD TO FIND SATISFACTION IN GOD ALONE.

Solomon had all this wealth and lived extravagantly, yet it was not enough. He allowed his heart to stray from his love for God to his love for women. With 700 wives and 300 concubines, Solomon allowed his heart to turn away from the Lord, and he began to worship the gods these women brought into his household. King Solomon had accomplished so much and was known for his great leadership, but he lost his favor with God because he was unfaithful. Peace was replaced by conflict, and ten of the tribes of Israel were given to Jeroboam, whom Solomon had hired to lead his labor force (1 Kings 11).

What will you do with the blessings God has bestowed on you? What will your response be to the applause and accolades that come from your accomplishments? Will all God has given you be enough? Let’s commit today to be satisfied with the opportunities God has given us, finding satisfaction in His plan for our lives. Let us faithfully follow God with integrity and godliness, recognizing that there is nothing in this world worth letting our hearts stray from the One who created us for His purposes.

Those who are wise must finally die,
just like the foolish and senseless,
leaving all their wealth behind.
The grave is their eternal home,
where they will stay forever.
They may name their estates after themselves,
but their fame will not last.
They will die, just like animals.
This is the fate of fools,
though they are remembered as being wise. – Psalm 49:10-13

How often do we find ourselves unsatisfied with all that God has blessed us with? We look at what others have in comparison to how little we have, rather than praising the Lord for how faithfully He has taken care of us. We want more but today’s scripture reminds us that more will never be enough. We were created to find satisfaction when we walk in relationship with God; nothing is sweeter than allowing God’s presence to fill the empty corners of our heart.

Father, thank you for the reminder today that you have called us to respond to leadership opportunities with humility. May you be glorified through our actions and may others see our giftings as a reflection of who you are. May we look for your approval rather than hungering for the applause and accolades of man. We recognize today that the physical blessings of this world can be a distraction from all that you want to bless us with. May we be faithful to depend on you, finding our joy in things that have eternal value rather than the pleasures of this earthly life. May nothing distract us from our worship of you and you only. Amen.

Today’s Reading: 1 Kings 9; 2 Chronicles 8; Psalm 26

“Solomon did not deviate in any way from David’s commands concerning the priests and Levites and treasuries.” – 2 Chronicles 8:15

The Temple was complete, as well as the royal palace, and the Lord was pleased. God took this building made by men and set it apart as holy. God’s name would be honored in this place, and God would watch over it.

“As for you, if you will follow me with integrity and godliness, as David your Father did, obeying all my commands, decrees, and regulations, then I will establish the throne of your dynasty over israel forever…But if you and your descendants abandon me and disobey the commands and decrees I have given you, then I will uproot Israel from this land that I have given them. I will reject this Temple that I have made holy to honor my name. I will make Israel an object of mockery and ridicule among the nations. And though this Temple is impressive now, all who pass by will be appalled and will gasp in horror. They will ask, ‘Why did the Lord do such terrible things to this land and to this Temple?’ And the answer will be, ‘Because the people abandoned the Lord their God…’” – 1 Kings 9:4-9a

FOLLOW ME WITH INTEGRITY AND GODLINESS

God is looking for integrity in those He calls into leadership. He is looking for those who will be honest in their dealings with others, and who will demonstrate strong moral principles. He designed the relationship between God and man to result in godly living, not produced by man’s righteousness but God’s. This was true in the days of David and Solomon, and it remains true today.

Solomon was a great leader and accomplished much during his reign as king. After taking twenty years to build the Lord’s Temple and his own royal palace, Solomon went on to rebuild the towns across the land. He assigned roles and responsibilities across the kingdom, establishing clear expectations and layers of leadership.

Solomon wisely continued to nurture the relationship his father, David, had built with King Hiram, which resulted in timber, gold and craftsmen to help with the many building projects. Hiram sent ships and a crew of sailors to take Solomon’s men to Ophir, where they obtained almost seventeen tons of gold. Solomon gave twenty towns in the land of Galilee to King Hiram, who had done so much for him, but the king was disappointed with the quality of the gift and described the towns as worthless.

At first glance, it seems like we have found a weakness in Solomon’s leadership and integrity; it appears like he has insulted Hiram with an inadequate gift. But looking back, we are reminded that he had already paid Hiram the amount requested (1 Kings 5:8-11). Each year he sent the king 100,000 bushels of wheat for his household and 110,000 gallons of pure olive oil. That was the agreed upon payment and he had fulfilled his side of the agreement. The gift of 20 towns was over and above the contracted price. 1 Kings 9:27-28 go on to describe the continued, mutually beneficial working relationship between King Hiram and King Solomon.

INTEGRITY AND GODLINESS ARE INDICATORS OF GOOD LEADERSHIP

It is a privilege to be called up to a leadership position; it also comes with a great amount of responsibility. But the Lord has equipped us through His scripture and through the filling of the Holy Spirit to glorify him through our position of leadership. He has taught us to live a life of godliness and to lead with integrity. May we live each day with the awareness of His unfailing love and with the blessing of His great mercy towards us.

Declare me innocent, O Lord,
for I have acted with integrity;
I have trusted in the Lord without wavering.
Put me on trial, Lord, and cross-examine me.
Test my motives and my heart.
For I am always aware of your unfailing love,
and I have lived according to your truth.
I do not spend time with liars
or go along with hypocrites.
I hate the gatherings of those who do evil,
and I refuse to join in with the wicked.
I wash my hands to declare my innocence.
I come to your altar, O Lord,
singing a song of thanksgiving
and telling of all your wonders.
I love your sanctuary, Lord,
the place where your glorious presence dwells.
Don’t let me suffer the fate of sinners.
Don’t condemn me along with murderers.
Their hands are dirty with evil schemes,
and they constantly take bribes.
But I am not like that; I live with integrity.
So redeem me and show me mercy.
Now I stand on solid ground,
and I will publicly praise the Lord. – Psalm 26:1-12

Today’s Reading: 1 Kings 5-8; 2 Chronicles 2-7:10; Psalm 84

CREATE A HOLY ATMOSPHERE

Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body. – 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

These New Testament verses come to mind as we study this passage in 1 Kings of the beautiful, elaborate temple that Solomon built for God. Solomon took 20 years and many resources to build a gorgeous physical place for God to dwell and for God to be worshiped. Solomon knew that God was too big and too great to be contained in any one place, but he desired to CREATE A HOLY ATMOSPHERE where God would be honored.

How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of Heaven’s Armies.
I long, yes, I faint with longing to enter the courts of the Lord.
With my whole being, body and soul, I will shout joyfully to the living God.
Even the sparrow builds her nest and raises her young at a place near your altar.
O Lord of Heaven’s Armies, my King and my God! – Psalm 84:1-3

EXPERIENCE THE PRESENCE OF GOD

Oh, how incredible it is to experience the presence of God! I understand Solomon’s desire to create an atmosphere where the Spirit of God is invited to dwell. What a blessing to enter into a place of worship and be surrounded by the God who is worthy of our praise! I can relate to the words in Psalm 84 — the desire to be in His sanctuary, whether that is at church or in my own quiet time each morning.

When the temple was completed, Solomon dedicated it to the Lord and prayed:

“O Lord, God of Israel, there is no God like you in all of heaven above or on the earth below. You keep your covenant and show unfailing love to all who walk before you in wholehearted devotion. You have kept your promise to your servant David, my father. You made that promise with your own mouth, and with your own hands you have fulfilled it today…”

“But will God really live on earth? Why, even the highest heavens cannot contain you. How much less this Temple I have built! Nevertheless, listen to my prayer and my plea, O Lord my God. Hear the cry and the prayer that your servant is making to you today. May you watch over this Temple night and day, this place where you have said, ‘My name will be there.’” – 1 Kings 8:23-24,27-29

Solomon went on to pray to God for justice, protection, provision, healing, growth, deliverance and forgiveness. Then he prayed, “May your eyes be open to my requests and to the requests of your people Israel. May you hear and answer them whenever they cry out to you” (1 Kings 8:52).

INVITE THE HOLY SPIRIT TO DWELL WITHIN

How generous God is to allow us into a relationship with Him — a relationship in which we are heard and our prayers are answered. This passage speaks to the earthly temple we build within ourselves as we create a place where the Holy Spirit can dwell, a holy atmosphere where God can be honored. As we open our hearts to God’s will in our lives, He comes in and finishes the work. With His hands, He creates something beautiful and elaborate out of our plain, earthly lives.

Can God be contained in one simple place? No and isn’t that wonderful! Our God is so great and we are so unworthy of His presence, yet He shows unfailing love to us when He meets with us and creates within us something holy. And then He places His signature on His artwork – My name will be there.

So this morning my prayer echoes Solomon’s — a prayer for justice, protection, provision, healing, growth, deliverance and forgiveness. Thank you, O Lord, for your faithfulness and for the unfailing love you show to all who walk before you in wholehearted devotion. With confidence I know that you will keep your promises — that the promise you make with your mouth, you will fulfill with your own hands.

A single day in your courts is better than a thousand anywhere else!
I would rather be a gatekeeper in the house of my God
than live the good life in the homes of the wicked.
For the Lord God is our sun and our shield.
He gives us grace and glory.
The Lord will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right.
O Lord of Heaven’s Armies, what joy for those who trust in you. – Psalm 84:10-12

Today’s Reading: 1 Kings 3-4; 2 Chronicles 1

SOLOMON NEEDED GOD’S HELP TO STEP INTO THIS NEW ROLE

“Give me an understanding heart so that I can govern your people well and know the difference between right and wrong. For who by himself is able to govern this great people of yours?” – 1 Kings 3:9

Solomon understood the enormity of the task before him and humbly asked God to make him all he needed to be for this position of honor and authority among God’s people. He knew what he lacked was wisdom, so he asked God for wisdom. His father David had praised the God who could examine hearts and find integrity (1 Chron 29:17), and Solomon knew he needed the ability to find this same kind of integrity in the hearts of God’s people as they came to him to settle disputes.

Today’s scripture passage tells us about two prostitutes who came to King Solomon to have him settle an argument. Both women had given birth only three days apart. One woman accused the other woman of switching their babies during the night after she had accidentally rolled over on her own baby and suffocated it. The women stood before Solomon arguing over who was the mother of the living baby (1 Kings 3:16-22).

Integrity in the heart of a prostitute — that is what Solomon was looking to find. Prostitutes were the most despised class of women in the Israelite community. For Solomon to even agree to meet with these women demonstrated that he was kind and just. He could have rejected them for being pregnant outside of marriage, but he took the time to hear their story and extend a helping hand.

They were alone in this world, no one to even witness the births and testify to whose child was whose. They were cast off from their families, used by men and then abandoned. Yet Solomon had the gift of an UNDERSTANDING HEART and he took time to listen to their story and meet their needs. Solomon’s greatest desire was to help his people, so God gave him the WISDOM and KNOWLEDGE he requested (2 Chronicles 1:11-12).

Then the king said, “Let’s get the facts straight. Both of you claim the living child is yours, and each says the dead one belongs to the other. All right, bring me a sword.” So a sword was brought to the king.

Then he said, “Cut the living child in two, and give half to one woman and half to the other!”

Then the woman who was the real mother of the living child, and who loved him very much, cried out, “Oh no, my lord! Give her the child — please do not kill him!”

But the other woman said, “Alright, he will be neither yours nor mine; divide him between us!”

Then the king said, “Do not kill the child, but give him to the woman who wants him to live, for she is his mother!”

When all Israel heard the king’s decision, the people were in awe of the king, for they saw the wisdom God had given him for rendering justice. – 1 Kings 3:23-28

The actions of the baby’s mother revealed her heart. She loved her child enough to give him up. Solomon heard the love of a mother in her reaction and gave her back her child. Compassion, understanding, wisdom and justice.

WHAT GOD HAD CALLED HIM TO DO, GOD EQUIPPED HIM TO DO!

God gave Solomon very great wisdom and understanding, and knowledge as vast as the sands of the seashore. In fact, his wisdom exceeded that of all the wise men of the East and the wise men of Egypt. – 1 Kings 4:29-30

When I read through this story of the two prostitutes, I think of all the incredible birthmothers I have met over the years. God’s love is reflected in the passionate cries of a mother who would do anything to give her child a chance at life, even if it means she does not get to be a part of the rest of his story. God’s mercy can be seen in the love of a mother who selflessly chooses a different life for the baby she cherishes. When I look at Solomon’s compassionate heart as he took the time to listen to her story, I see the reflection of the God who knows everything about us and cares deeply about our future.

Lord, give us this kind of compassion and understanding for others. Help us to seek justice and search for integrity. Give us insight and lead us into these kinds of moments today. Give us today all we need to be used by you in the lives of those around us. Equip us with the compassion needed to care enough to listen to the stories of those who are in need of justice. Fill us with the understanding we need to help them. Give us your wisdom – not for our own glory but for yours! We love you, Lord. Amen.

Cry out for insight, and ask for understanding.
Search for them as you would for silver; seek them like hidden treasures.
Then you will understand what it means to fear the Lord, and you will gain knowledge of God.
For the Lord grants wisdom! From his mouth comes knowledge and understanding. – Proverbs 2:3-6

Today’s Reading: 1 Kings 2:13-46; Psalm 119

WHAT CAN I DO FOR YOU TODAY?

What if you hear these words from God as you sit down to spend time in His presence? How will you answer? What will you choose? One Sunday, I asked the students in my small group to think of something they would like to ask God for. If they could pick one thing, one BIG request, what would it be? The answers varied. Some answers were humorous, some creative and some profound.

If you could ask God for anything, what would you ask Him for? If God woke you up this morning with the announcement that He wants to bless you greatly, that you are to choose a gift from Him and He will give it to you in abundance, what gift would you choose?

Remember the wish George made in the movie It’s A Wonderful Life? He wished he had never been born and an angel granted him the wish. For the next few days he saw what life would have been like for everyone else without him. The experience opened his eyes and changed his perspective on life. What if the gift you could ask for from God was one that would forever change you?

On his deathbed, King David gave his son Solomon advice on how to lead God’s people. If I put myself in Solomon’s situation, I imagine he must have felt overwhelmed and unequipped for the job ahead of him. Scripture tells us that he loved the Lord and followed all the decrees of his father, David. But, in addition to his obedience, Solomon worshiped God and sacrificed generously to Him. The Lord saw Solomon’s heart and asked him this question:

WHAT DO YOU WANT? ASK, AND I WILL GIVE IT TO YOU!

Solomon replied, “You showed faithful love to your servant my father, David, because he was honest and true and faithful to you. And you have continued your faithful love to him today by giving him a son to sit on his throne. Now, O Lord my God, you have made me king instead of my father, David, but I am like a little child who doesn’t know his way around. And here I am in the midst of your own chosen people, a nation so great and numerous they cannot be counted! GIVE ME AN UNDERSTANDING HEART so that I can govern your people well and know the difference between right and wrong. For who by himself is able to govern this great people of yours?”

The Lord was pleased that Solomon asked for WISDOM. So God replied, “Because you have asked for wisdom in governing my people with justice and have not asked for a long life or wealth or the death of your enemies – I will give you what you asked for! I will give you a wise and understanding heart such as no one else had or ever will have! And I will also give you what you did not ask for – riches and fame! No other king in all the world will be compared to you for the rest of your life! And if you follow me and obey my decrees and my commands as your father, David, did, I will give you a long life.” — 1 Kings 3:5-14

I WILL GIVE YOU WHAT YOU ASKED FOR!

That is the God we serve! Our God gives us what we ask for and also what we do not ask for. God sees the hearts of His people and blesses them accordingly. Remember the words of David in his final psalm: “I know, my God, that you examine our hearts and rejoice when you find integrity there” (1 Chronicles 29:17a). In Solomon, God saw great humility and a desire to serve God well.

In response to the sacrificial life Solomon was living, God offered him the opportunity to ask for ANYTHING and Solomon asked for wisdom. Solomon could have asked for something for himself and instead he asked for something that would help him serve God and his people better. Solomon’s request was selfless and generous. God’s response matched Solomon’s as He generously gave him very great wisdom and understanding, and knowledge as vast as the sands of the seashore… He was wiser than anyone else (1 Kings 4:29-31).

But we know that about God, right? We know he LOVES to give gifts, especially wisdom. “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him” (James 1:5).

WHAT CAN I DO FOR YOU TODAY?

This week many of us will pull up to a drive-through at our favorite coffee place and hear the words, “What can I do for you today?” What if we hear those same words from God today as we sit down to spend time in His presence? How will we answer? “What can I do for you today?” My job is feeling pretty big right now so my response is “I would like a venti of wisdom with a double shot of understanding, please!” What will you ask the Lord for today?

Teach me your decrees, O Lord;
I will keep them to the end.
Give me understanding and I will obey your instructions;
I will put them into practice with all my heart.
Make me walk along the path of your commands,
for that is where my happiness is found.
Give me an eagerness for your laws
rather than a love for money!
Turn my eyes from worthless things,
and give me life through your word. — Psalm 119:33-37

Today’s Reading: 1 Chronicles 29, Psalm 148-149

David, a man who knew what it was to fail and be forgiven, ended his reign as king praising the Lord. David, a man who knew what it was to have his prayers sometimes answered with a “yes” and sometimes answered with a “no”, ended his reign praying for the people God had given him the privilege to lead. David, who had done his fair share of confessing, was now able to fill his prayer with praise to the God who had shown His power; he offered thanksgiving to the God who had provided for him over and over again. As he passed on the leadership of God’s people, David took time to pray over the hearts of those who would carry on his legacy.

ADORATION

“O Lord, the God of our ancestor Israel, may you be praised forever and ever! YOURS, O Lord, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty. Everything in the heavens and on earth is yours, O Lord, and this is your kingdom. We adore you as the one who is over all things. Wealth and honor come from you alone, for you rule over everything. Power and might are in your hand, and at your discretion people are made great and given strength.

THANKSGIVING

“O our God, we thank you and praise your glorious name! But who am I, and who are my people, that we could give anything to you? Everything we have you first gave us! We are here for only a moment, visitors and strangers in the land as our ancestors were before us. Our days on earth are like a passing shadow, gone so soon without a trace.

“O Lord our God, even this material we have gathered to build a Temple to honor your name comes from you! It all belongs to you! I know, my God, that you examine our hearts and rejoice when you find integrity there. You know I have done all this with good motives, and I have watched your people offer their gifts willingly and joyously.

SUPPLICATION

“O Lord, the God of our ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, make your people always want to obey you. See to it that their love for you never changes. Give my son Solomon the WHOLEHEARTED desire to obey all your commands, laws, and decrees, and to do everything necessary to build this Temple, for which I have made these preparations.” – 1 Chronicles 29:10b-19

Father God, you are amazing! You are worthy of every wonderful song David wrote for you. You are stronger than any problem we are facing and wiser than all of our best laid plans. You show your love to us over and over again. We stand in awe of you this morning — our Creator, our Provider and our Savior.

Lord, we confess that we have spent needless hours worrying. We confess that we are a self-centered people who form opinions and cast judgments. Lord, we ask for your forgiveness as individuals, as a church, and as a nation. We pray that you will continue to do a work in our hearts, making our hearts want to obey you.

Abba, we thank you for another day to serve you. You are the source of everything good in our lives and our hearts are grateful for your grace and your love. Thank you for another opportunity to spend time with those we love and thank you for the strength to follow your lead today.

Heavenly Father, we ask for you to watch over and protect us today. We pray that truth will be evident and our enemies will be bound. We pray for the prodigals in our lives who are struggling to believe. Lord, we pray that you will send someone into their lives today to draw them closer to you. We pray that you will once again provide for our families and friends today. We pray for your healing touch, as well as your comfort for those who are hurting. We love you with all of our heart, mind and strength. Amen.

I will praise the Lord,
and may everyone on earth bless his holy name
forever and ever. – Psalm 145:21

Let every created thing give praise to the Lord,
for he issued his command, and they came into being. – Psalm 148:5

Today’s Reading: 1 Chronicles 22-28; 2 Samuel 23; 1 Kings 1-2:12

O Lord, hear me as I pray; pay attention to my groaning.
Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God, for I pray to no one but you.
Listen to my voice in the morning, Lord.
Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly. – Psalm 5:1-3

“GOD’S WAY IS PERFECT.”

These are the words of David as he held his dying son. He was crying out of regret that he had sinned against God and sadness that his baby was sick. God forgave David’s transgression yet did not answer David’s prayer. The same God who answered Hannah’s prayers of anguish with the birth of a son, did not answer David’s prayers of anguish for the life of his son. What do we do with this?

After Nathan returned to his home, the Lord sent a deadly illness to the child of David and Uriah’s wife. David begged God to spare the child. He went without food and lay all night on the bare ground… Then on the seventh day the child died. – 2 Samuel 12:15-18a

David’s advisers were surprised when he went to the Tabernacle and worshiped the Lord after hearing of his son’s death. He went from fasting to eating; from pleading with God to resting in God’s decision.

David replied, “I fasted and wept while the child was alive, for I said, ‘Perhaps the Lord will be gracious to me and let the child live.’ But why should I fast when he is dead? Can I bring him back again? I will go to him one day, but he cannot return to me.” – 2 Samuel 12:22-23

RESTING IN GOD’S ANSWER

Sometimes I cannot wrap my mind around our Almighty God; my human limitations cannot always understand a God who has no limitations. GOD’S WAY IS ALWAYS PERFECT. Even when I do not receive the desire of my heart, God loves me and blesses me according to His plan — just as He did David.

Although God took the life of the baby conceived in David’s adulterous relationship, God chose to bless their marriage and gave them many more children. Out of all of his wives and all of his children, God chose the next son born to David and Bathsheba to be David’s successor as king. They named this son Solomon, but God gave him the name Jedidiah, which means “beloved of the Lord”. With this name, God expressed his special love for Solomon and revealed His plan to use this baby in a special way. Solomon would build God’s Temple – God would be his Father and Solomon would be God’s son.

BE STRONG AND DO THE WORK

David had some powerful words of advice for his son and for all of us who are called to do a work for the Lord:

“…Solomon, my son, learn to know the God of your ancestors INTIMATELY. Worship and serve him with your WHOLE heart and a WILLING mind. For the Lord sees every heart and knows every plan and thought. If you seek him, you will find him. But if you forsake him, he will reject you forever. So take this seriously. THE LORD HAS CHOSEN YOU to build a Temple as his sanctuary. Be strong, and do the work.”…

Then David continued, “Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Don’t be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. HE will see to it that all the work related to the Temple of the Lord is finished correctly.” – 1 Chron. 28:9-10, 20

As the time of King David’s death approached, he gave this charge to his son Solomon: “I am going where everyone on earth must someday go. Take courage and be a man. Observe the requirements of the Lord your God, and follow all his ways. Keep the decrees, commands, regulations and laws written in the law of Moses so that you will be successful in all you do and wherever you go…” – 1 Kings 2:1-3

TAKE COURAGE AND GROW UP

What great advice for Solomon and what great advice for us today. God may not answer every prayer the way we want him to, but take courage and grow up. We may fast and plead with God only to lose someone we dearly love. But don’t be afraid or discouraged – the Lord our God is with us! What He has called us to do, He will equip us for. What He has asked us to do, He will provide the resources for – whether earthly materials or strength to face the day. He can give us the wholehearted desire to serve and obey Him, according to HIS plan and HIS will, regardless of the circumstances around us.

THE LORD HAS CHOSEN YOU to _______________. Be strong and courageous, and do the work.

So be strong and courageous, all you who put your hope in the Lord! – Psalm 31:24