Pastor Bob DuPar
June 11, 2008

Journal Entry

*Happy Birthday to Denise! (My Wife)


Scripture

1 Kings 8:1-66; Acts 7:51-8:13; Psalm 129:1-8; Proverbs 17:1.

Observation

1 Kings 8:5 sounds like a ton of sacrificial bloodshed if there were so many sheep and cattle that “they could not be recorded or counted.” It’s a good thing that no modern day organizations against cruelty to animals existed at this time.

1 Kings 8:27 speaks to an interesting mystery in that God now lives inside of us:

“Will God really dwell on earth? The heavens, even the highest heaven, cannot contain You. How much less this temple I have built.”

I guess the issue is not the size of the “home/temple” but rather who builds it - as Paul highlights in Acts 17:24 where he says that “God does not dwell in temples made with hands.”

You know as a leader that you have completed the vision with success when you have a response like 1 Kings 8:66. Solomon, upon finishing the temple and dedicating it to God in the presence of Israel, had to send the people away – the next day no less! And, listen to the record of their ownership in the vision:

“They blessed the king and then went home, joyful and glad in heart for all the good things the Lord had done for His servant David and His people Israel.”

The story of Stephen’s testimony and attitude in Acts 7 while being martyred is incredibly inspiring and challenging. The fact that the Christians were scattered through persecution seemed to be a bad thing until you read 8:4, “Those who had been scattered preached the Word wherever they went.”

Acts 8:5ff. gives insight and perspective to the preparatory work of Jesus when He ministered to the woman at the well in John 4. When the woman ran to the neighboring village to share her testimony, a foundation was laid; seeds were planted, for Philip and others to follow.

Finally, I like Psalm 129:2. Though others oppress us, God is the One who keeps them from gaining victory over us.

Application

I am challenged by the story of Solomon and the people. God gave Solomon the task of fulfilling David’s vision to build God a temple. Solomon involved over 30,000 laborers alone (1Kings 5:13), and who knows how many other people in the ownership of this vision. So, when the temple was completed everyone was joyful. Everyone felt like they contributed and played a valuable part – not just Solomon.

I’m also challenged by the lesson that what may appear to us as unfavorable circumstances or even God’s punishment when we are “scattered” from time to time, can actually be God’s sovereign means of spreading the Gospel – if we “catch-on” and see it as an opportunity.

Prayer

“God, help me to lead by teaming with others. Discourage my attempts to fly solo. Grant me wisdom and discernment to see the opportunities in every circumstance.”