May 27 (Daily reading: 1 Chronicles 26-29; Psalm 127) David gathered the leaders of Israel to talk to them about the building of the temple. He reminded them that he had wanted to build it, but that God had revealed to him: “‘Your son Solomon is the one who shall build My house” (1 Chron. 28:6). David gave Solomon the detailed plans for the temple that he had received from the Lord. And then he prayed for him: “Give my son Solomon a perfect heart to keep Your commandments, Your testimonies, and Your statutes, and to do them all, and to build the temple for which I have made provision” (1 Chron. 29:19). David recognized and impressed upon his son that the building of God’s house was a spiritual venture that required total consecration to God’s will and purposes.
Solomon must have understood the spiritual implications of building the temple, because he later wrote: “Unless the LORD builds a house, they who build it labor in vain” (Ps. 127:1). This is a spiritual principle that is worthy of our attention for all phases of our lives. We need the Lord’s guidance for everything, whether it be raising children, establishing a career, serving in His church, or the multiple obligations of simply living. If the Lord is not the One “building the house,” we may end up with a “house” that does not bring glory to Him! That is why many years ago I put 1 Thessalonians 5:24 in my spiritual bank, and I have withdrawn from it many times: “Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will do it.” We can depend on Him to “build the house.” What grace that He allows us to participate in the construction!
– Al Gary
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