PERSONAL JOURNAL:
SIN ( Conviction ): Today I am nervous, Father. I am nervous about a lesson I am going to be giving later today on quiet times for the Real Men 300. I am feeling nervous because I do not want to mess it up as it was an extremely important thing for me to learn personally and I want to make sure that all I do in this lesson glorifies You, Father. I want to make sure that all I do in this lesson guides the men in attendance to a deeper relationship with You. I should not be nervous, though, because You are in control of this meeting, not me. Please forgive me for still trying to be in control, Father. Forgive me for often forgetting that when I control things that things often get messed up, but when I step back and allow You to take control everything works out for Your good. Continue to remind me of these, Father, so that I try to take control far less often every single day.
PROMISE ( 1 Kings 5:5 ): Solomon sent a message to Hiram about a promise You made to his father, David. The promise was that David’s son will be on the throne after him and that he will build a temple in Your name. The first part of this promise has already come to fruition because Solomon is now king. The second part, which is also a command from You to Solomon in a sense, is coming to fruition now as Solomon has begun the steps necessary from him to make it happen.
ATTITUDE ( 1 Kings 5:6 ): Once again, Solomon shows just how amazing he is with words. He essentially gives an order to Hiram that his people will provide a ton of lumber to build this temple, but he did it in a way that Hiram no doubt felt honored and blessed to be able to take on such a mighty task. The words Solomon chose to issue the command were both complimenting and direct. I have not always been like this with my words and even today I am not so great most of the time. Continue to provide to me great examples of good language in Your eyes, Father, so that I can slowly but surely become a better speaker.
COMMAND ( 1 Kings 5:5b ): Although this verse was directed as a promise to David before Solomon was even born, the latter part of the verse is actually a command from You to Solomon. The command is that the son who becomes king after David will build the temple for Your name. Solomon recognized this as his task when he became king and quickly began to take the steps necessary to follow Your command.
EXAMPLE ( 1 Kings 5:13-14 ): I find these verses to be an interesting and obvious contrast to forced laborers under Solomon versus forced laborers under Egypt’s rule over Your people. In Egypt, they were forced to work daily on minimal rations while enduring painful nudges to work harder—from a young age until death essentially. Under Solomon’s kingship, Your people are treated FAR better than ever before. Not only are they only working 1 month at a time with 2 month’s break at home, but they also have all their needs provided for during this timeframe. Solomon’s understands that laborers are still a must no matter who is king, but his example on how to treat them versus how other leaders treated their laborers is amazing. Respect, care, love, and time to rest were all top points of stress by Solomon as the king over these laborers.
*DAILY NOTE: Such a short chapter. I can’t believe that I actually prayed beforehand for You to guide me on whether or not I should read chapter 6 as well or not. I was able to journal fully in such a short chapter without any issues. I apologize for doubting/questioning You in my quiet times, Father. Thank You for the reminder that no matter how many verses You provide to me, that You are always speaking something to me if I am just willing to open my ears, mind, and heart to listen to You. Thank You for a great quiet time today, Father.
EXPAND TO READ: GENERAL NOTE FOR MY QUIET TIMES
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