SCRIPTURE: 1 Kings 7
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labour or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendour was dressed like one of these. [Matthew 6:28-29] Solomon in all his splendour! When I read 1 Kings 7, I am struck by the amazing splendour of both the temple and Solomon’s temple. I have never been to some of the great temples or palaces of the world, though I have been in some impressive cathedrals. There is no doubt that the workmanship and skill involved with these great architectural wonders is magnificent. The skills of Huram were God-given, and we can appreciate how he and others like him use their skills to create beautiful things like God, for God. This is one way that we image God.
But there is also an important contrast here, one that we sometimes forget. As impressive as our own accomplishments and creations might be, they all pale in comparison to the splendour and wonder of God’s creation. Consider the lilies. As impressive as Solomon and his buildings were, they were nothing compare to the beauty of God’s handiwork.
We become so accustomed to seeing nature – snow, a sunrise, grass and animals, insects and fish and stars and starfish and… you get the point – that we miss its beauty. We are more sometimes more impressed with a cathedral than with a yellow field of mustard or towering cumulus clouds.
In the context of Jesus’ words, He is reminding us that God is greater than all that we experience in this world. He speaks about worry, about being so wrapped up in what we have, what we need, what we do, etc., that we lose sight of the Maker behind it all, our Father in heaven.
PRAYER:
Lord, open my eyes to see the impressiveness of all that You do. Help me to keep my life, my possessions, my palaces and temples, in perspective to You.
First things first. Solomon built the house of the Lord first and then his own palace. And as I read the desription, Solomon spared nothing. I find it difficult to picture in my mind but I do know that the Lord God blessed Solomon and gave him the wisdom and insights so that he was able to do what he did – knowing the plans, knowing the people to hire, knowing what to do so that it all came together. A great architect.
As I live this new day in His presence, may I also have the eyes to see the Master Architect at work within His creation. As the temple and palace amazed the people, I need to be amazed at the grandeur within His creation each and every day. As many saw Solomon’s handiwork, open my eyes Lord, that I may be able to see Your handiwork, Your presence, Your master design, Your architecture, Your creativity in all for You are in all. This is Your world which You created/built and I need to see You in all things.
Not what these hands have done
can save this guilty soul,
not what this toiling flesh has borne
can make my spirit whole.
Not what I feel or do
can give me peace with God;
not all my prayers, and sighs, and tears
can bear my aweful load.
Thy work alone, O Christ,
can ease this weight of sin;
Thy blood alone, O Lamb of God,
can give me peace within.
Thy love to me, O God,
not mine, O Lord, to Thee,
can rid me of this dark unrest,
and set my spirit free.
Thy grace alone, O God,
to me can pardon speak;
Thy power alone, O Son of God,
can this sore bondage break.
I bless the Christ of God,
I rest on love divine,
and with unfaltering lip and heart,
I call this Saviour mine.