- Solomon was building his own house thirteen years, and he finished his entire house. 1 Kings 7:1 – This chapter gives us a small taste of how amazing the palace of King Solomon was. It was so massive and beautiful, and built with the most precious of resources, that it took Solomon thirteen full years to complete the build. That says a lot about how invested Solomon was in making his house glorious, especially when we learned in the previous chapter it took him seven years to build the temple of God. Now there is nothing sinful in creating a beautiful house for yourself, but the lesson we are seeing taught here is that Solomon valued his glory over the glory of the Lord. Often in life we can see what matters most to someone by how much of their life is dedicated to it. If someone goes running everyday for 5 hours, you’d probably assume running is really important to them. If someone is willing to drive hundreds of miles to see some sports team play a game, you’d assume that sport team is important to them. On the other hand, if someone gives zero time and effort to something, it’s clear that’s not important to that individual. So how much of your life is dedicated to following Jesus? Would someone who examined your life say Jesus is important to you? If the level of dedication and sacrifice we’re willing to make for something equates to how devoted we are to it, could someone say by looking at our life this past week that we’re dedicated to Jesus? If not, then what are we more dedicated to in life than Jesus? Giving devotion to things in this life is totally fine, but never let your devotion to the Lord be outshined by anything else. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 3050
- 1 Kings 7 Daily DEVO Thus all the work that King Solomon did on the house of the Lord was finished. And Solomon brought in the things that David his father had dedicated, the silver, the gold, and the vessels, and stored them in the treasuries of the house of the Lord. 1 Kings 7:51 – After reading all this, it really is amazing the detail, work, and expense that went into making the temple. It makes me examine my own offerings to God as well. Is what I’m bringing to Him my best? Can I offer better? What would that look like? Why haven’t I been giving my best? Maybe you as well need to ask these questions. Let’s make sure we are always seeking to give our absolute best to God. He gave His best for us, let’s follow His example. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1008
- Hiram also made the pots, the shovels, and the basins. So Hiram finished all the work that he did for King Solomon on the house of the Lord…1 Kings 7:40 – Hiram was a hired hand of King Solomon that was an expert in working with bronze. His task was to make all the bronze pieces for the temple of the Lord which was a massive task. Yet we see here that despite the task being massive, he finished his work. God gifted Hiram, Hiram was then given a task to serve the Lord, Hiram then used his gifts to the full to accomplish what was placed in front of Him. Let’s today acknowledge we to have been gifted by God with some amazing gifts. Maybe not working in bronze, but our own unique gifting. Let’s then choose to use those gifts to the fullest for the work God is placing in front of us. What then has God blessed you with and how could you use that blessing to help others see Jesus more clearly? I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2191
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