Solomon had a vividly very clear vision, desire and mandate that he would build a temple for the Lord and he harnessed every resource available, both human and material to achieve this.
Solomon’s father, King David, had the intention to build a temple to the Lord. However this was God’s response: “… Thou shalt not build an house for my name, because thou hast been a man of war, and hast shed blood.” (1 Chronicles 28:3). This was as a result of the kind of life he lived and God specifically mentioned that Solomon would build Him a temple (see I Chronicles 22:10). It was ordained that Solomon would be a king after the demise of his father, and to the glory of God, a temple would be built by him:
“And he said unto me, Solomon thy son, he shall build my house and my courts: for I have chosen him to be my son, and I will be his father. Moreover I will establish his kingdom for ever, if he be constant to do my commandments and my judgments, as at this day.” (1 Chronicles 28:6-7).
The above verse serves to highlight the truth that you have been created by God and He desires that you build a temple for Him in your heart. “So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” (Genesis 1:27). It takes a committed mind to make an effort to create an atmosphere of communion with God, especially in this era of secularisation.
An age which is strictly characterised by self-evident, “I have my own view about my own kind of religion” writes Timothy Keller, the 65 year old author of Making Sense of God: An Invitation to the Skeptical, who argues that “every person embraces his or her worldview for a variety of rational, emotional, cultural, and social factors”. In other words, there is a significant tendency that you may be carried away with your insatiable personal ambitions, especially if your God-given purpose is not clear from the outset.
“Then Solomon sent to Hiram, saying: You know how my father David could not build a house for the name of the Lord his God because of the wars which were fought against him on every side, until the Lord put his foes under the soles of his feet. But now the Lord my God has given me rest on every side; there is neither adversary nor evil occurrence. And behold, I propose to build a house for the name of the Lord my God, as the Lord spoke to my father David, saying, “Your son, whom I will set on your throne in your place, he shall build the house for My name.” (1 Kings 5:2-5).
Solomon had a vividly very clear vision, desire and mandate that he would build a temple for the Lord and he harnessed every resource available, both human and material to achieve this.
Solomon approached Hiram, the Phoenecian King of Tyre, and made a request for assistance, which Hiram provided: “Now therefore, command that they cut down cedars for me from Lebanon; and my servants will be with your servants, and I will pay you wages for your servants according to whatever you say. For you know there is none among us who has skill to cut timber like the Sidonians”. (1 Kings 5:6).
Your heart is the most paramount to God, and as you gaze on Jesus, and adjust within His plan and purpose, His grace will be sufficient to sustain you.
There is need to recognise that God wants your heart as His temple so you both can have an unhindered fellowship here on earth. Listen to this call today and make amends, returning to your Father, if you have wandered away. His arms are wide open to receive you back to Him. “My son, give me your heart, And let your eyes observe my ways”. (Proverbs 23:26).
