June 24, 2015

Today you should read: 2 Chronicles 3

Solomon Follows Through…

A desire to glorify God. A sense of unworthiness. Solomon experienced both.

In Chapters 1 & 2 of this book, Solomon purposes to build the temple.

He desires to glorify God, evidenced by Him saying things like, “The house that I am to build will be great, for our God is greater than all gods” (2:5).

He senses His unworthiness, evidenced by Him saying things like, “But who is able to build Him a house, since heaven, even the highest heaven, cannot contain Him? Who am I to build a house for Him, except as a place to make offerings before Him?” (2:6).

His seemingly conflicting situation wasn’t actually confliction at all. Despite His sense of inadequacy and unworthiness, Solomon followed through. Our chapter today (chapter 3), starts with, “Then Solomon began to build the house of the Lord…”

Solomon’s desire to glorify God trumped his sense of inadequacy.
Today’s “Walk-a-Way”

When God calls us to something or we have big dreams for God, our own sense of our inadequacies can be the very reason we don’t follow through. It may mask itself as; not having the resources, being too busy, or just not being sure enough to proceed with God’s calling on our lives. But in reality, our fear and sense of inadequacy is outweighing our desire and God’s call to glorify Him.

This shouldn’t be so.

If God calls us to bring glory to His name in some particular way, are deficiencies can’t be a deterrent. Our inadequacies don’t validate disobedience. God expects us to believe Him, follow Him, and trust Him. Indeed, every person He has ever called has been inadequate for the task. But, when we are weak, then we are strong, because His power shines forth. When we sense our inadequacy it should drive us to depend on Him.

So don’t let inadequacy prevent you from fulfilling God’s calling. Follow through.


Posted by: Sam Cirrincione

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June 23, 2015

Today you should read: 2 Chronicles 2

​For a typical man, anytime you are asked to build something, there is something inside of you that wells up and says, ‘I can do this’. It is our nature to know the certainty of our abilities to accomplish such great feats. This may be why the lawnmower is still broken, the dishwasher doesn’t work real well, and all of the other projects you began still lie unfinished. It is our pride that takes control, and we find ourselves in circumstances that leave things undone.
​Much like this, King David began with the sin of pride when he sinned against God with Bathsheba, and it was his pride that led to Solomon’s commission to build the temple. Solomon displayed wisdom and humility that led to the completion of the temple. In 2 Chronicles 2, Solomon demonstrates this in five ways…

1. Solomon built upon the foundation of his father. David already had dealings with Hiram, King of Tyre. (v3)
2. Solomon understood who God was. Solomon described God as greater than all other gods and knew that He could not be contained in a building. (v4-6)
3. Solomon desired the best for God beyond his own personal feelings or agenda. Solomon was humble to ask Hiram for the best engraver and workers for the temple. He also desired to have the best material. (v7-9)
4. Solomon valued others greater than himself. Solomon treated all the workers with great value. (v10)

Solomon was a man of great wisdom and humility. If we are to emulate his character, we should…
1. We must build upon the foundation of our FATHER. God is our Father in which Christ is the cornerstone.
2. We must understand who God is. He is the greatest of all living things and no one can comprehend His greatness.
3. We must give the best for God beyond our own personal feelings or agenda. Giving up our lives in total surrender and serving Him without regards to our own desires.
4. We must value others greater than ourselves. Solomon gave beyond what would have been expected to the people who worked on the temple.

Posted by: Corey Thweatt, ministry intern- west campus