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2 Chronicles Chapter 6 (ESV)
4 And he said, “Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, who with his hand has fulfilled what he promised with his mouth to David my father, saying, 5 ‘Since the day that I brought my people out of the land of Egypt, I chose no city out of all the tribes of Israel in which to build a house, that my name might be there, and I chose no man as prince over my people Israel; 6 but I have chosen Jerusalem that my name may be there, and I have chosen David to be over my people Israel.’ 7 Now it was in the heart of David my father to build a house for the name of the Lord, the God of Israel. 8 But the Lord said to David my father, ‘Whereas it was in your heart to build a house for my name, you did well that it was in your heart. 9 Nevertheless, it is not you who shall build the house, but your son who shall be born to you shall build the house for my name.’ 10 Now the Lord has fulfilled his promise that he made. For I have risen in the place of David my father and sit on the throne of Israel, as the Lord promised, and I have built the house for the name of the Lord, the God of Israel. 11 And there I have set the ark, in which is the covenant of the Lord that he made with the people of Israel.”
REFLECTION:
- Solomon mobilized vast amount of labour and money, and spent a long time to finish building the temple. With this achievement, he could rightly be proud of the labour and effort he contributed. However, Solomon did not take the credit to gain worldly glory but he humbly admitted the temple belonged completely to God. He further emphasized that building the temple was not according to his own plan but rather fully following the sovereign will of God. In fact every detail of temple construction was under the God’s supervision.
- We should treat ourselves similarly today. When we achieved expected results, we should know that they did not come from our ability or diligence, and we should give glory and praises to God because He is the true reason for all the achievements. Reflect if you have some achievements that satisfied you? Do you really believe these achievements were obtained without God’s hand at work? Give all the glory to God!
PRAYER:
Humbly come before God and give Him the glory and praises for your achievements. Ask God to continue to guide you, use you, and help you live a Christ-centred life that will glorify Him.
