Bible Pathways - May 18, 2009
May 18
Highlights In Today's Reading:
Even David, whom God called a man after Mine own heart (Acts 13:22; I Sam. 13:14), is deceived by Satan and judged (I Chr. 21:1-18). Apply the godly principle in 21:24 to your life! The site of the Temple chosen (22:1). God reveals: Who, what, when, why, and how (22:6-19)! Solomon crowned king (23:1).
Solomon was about 20 years of age when he was anointed king. Since young people do not have the insight and years of experience of their elders, they often underestimate the things that are of greatest importance. Because of this, David strongly urged Solomon to keep the Law of the Lord thy God. Then shalt thou prosper . . . (22:12-16). Now set your heart and your soul to seek the Lord your God; arise therefore, and build ye the sanctuary of the Lord God, to bring the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord, and the holy vessels of God, into the House that is to be built to the Name of the Lord (22:19).
David's vast accumulation of materials and plans for building the Temple were now in the possession of Solomon (22:14-15). It was of utmost importance for Solomon to set your heart . . . to seek the Lord. . . . arise . . . (be doing) build . . . the sanctuary. This should have been an incentive for him to make building the Temple his first priority. But Solomon put personal interests first and did not begin building the Temple until the fourth year of his reign (I Kin. 6:1). Instead, he began to amass chariots and horses (II Chr. 1:16-17), and then built them stalls (I Kin. 4:26). This was in violation of the command of God (Deut 17:16-17; I Kin. 10:26 — 11:4).
Just as David urged Solomon to set his mind and heart to seek the Lord, Christ directs every believer to seek . . . first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness (Matt. 6:33). We can be sure the Lord will provide the things necessary for our physical well-being when we seek . . . first the Kingdom of God. The building of the Temple illustrates the external things which we may accomplish in the Lord's service. But the other half of this verse is even more important — and His righteousness. As we read in Romans 8:13, if ye through the Spirit do mortify (reject) the deeds of the body, ye shall live. The inner self should become everything the Lord would have us to be without compromise. This verse parallels the example of David, who was not satisfied with just providing Solomon with all the materials needed for the completion of the Temple. Yes, they were needed; but, the best of materials and the finest skilled workers would all be meaningless without surrender to the Lord.
True faith is demonstrated by our seeking first the Kingdom of God and fully depending upon Him to answer prayer while doing all we can to bring it to pass. We are to ask (keep on asking) . . . seek . . . knock (Matt. 7:7-8). Faith and works always go together. This means we are to do all that we can to fulfill His will with the same spirit of James who wrote: Faith without works is dead (James 2:20).
Thought for Today:
Our physical success does not impress God. It is the mount of love we have for Him and our desire to obey Him that counts.
Christ Revealed:
Through the altar David built to sacrifice unto the Lord so that Israel might be restored to a right relationship with God (I Chr. 21:18,26). Only through Christ can we be restored to a right relationship with God. We are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus (Rom. 3:24).
Word Studies:
21:13 a great strait =b> deep distress; 21:15 repented Him of the evil =b> felt compassion due to man's repentance and intercession; 22:3 without weight =b> beyond calculation; 23:1 old and full of days =b> reached old age; 23:6 courses =b> divisions or groups; 23:11 in one reckoning =b> counted together; 23:24 by their polls =b> individually, by census, head counts.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for Arabic International Shortwave Broadcasts in honor of Pastor Tony Foglio • Radio Sri Lanka Shortwave Broadcasts sponsored by Pat Boehme • Government Officials: Rep. George Miller (CA) and Sen. Ben Nelson (NE) • Country: Malta (388,000) about 60 miles south of Sicily • Major languages: Maltese and English • Religious freedom • 97% Christian; 1.7% non-Religious/other; 1% Muslim • Prayer Suggestion: Make everything you do a matter of prayer (I Thess. 5:17).
Optional Reading: 1 Corinthians 5
Memory Verse for the Week: Matthew 6:21
