Tuesday, June 13, 2017

THE FOREVER BUILDING

Today’s Reading: 1 Chronicles 17-18

Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).

Here is a view of the Temple Mount in the Old City of Jerusalem. Above the Western Wall (or Wailing Wall), where you now see the trees and the golden Dome of the Rock, was once the location of Solomon’s Temple.

GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.

 

Key Verses: 1 Chronicles 17:4

Go and tell my servant David, “Thus says the Lord: You shall not build Me a house to dwell in.”

 

What if David had gone ahead and built God’s house? Chaos would’ve resulted and, because of disobedience, the favour and the presence of God would be gone from David and Israel. We must make absolutely sure we’ve heard from God, and then we must move forward boldly, trusting that if God is not in the move, He will stop us if we are willing to listen and obey.

David’s son, Solomon, built the Temple. Solomon composed Psalm 127 in which he writes, “Unless the Lord builds the house, they labour in vain who build it” (verse 1). The Temple in Jerusalem was destroyed twice, the first time by the Babylonians and the second time by the Romans. How do we understand the word “forever,” which is repeated five times in our reading? According to Nathan the prophet, God desires a place in which to dwell. The Apostle Paul informs us that, “In Him [Jesus] dwells all the fullness of the Godhead [Father, Son, and Holy Spirit] bodily” (Colossians 2:8-10). God promised David that his dynasty would be “forever.” Only in the Son of David, Jesus, is that true. Because of Jesus, we, as believers in Him, are the building in which God dwells. Ephesians 2:19-22 tells us that we are “built together for a habitation of God.” Rejoice!!!

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord God, grant that I may ever be conscious that my fellow believers and I are Your dwelling place, Your temple. May I never dishonour Your temple, which is my spirit, soul and body. Also I pray that, like King David, I will know when to take initiatives and when to stop. Lord Jesus, great Builder of Your Church, use me for Your building, and also use the next generation. In Your Name I ask these mercies, Amen!!!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

Looking down from my bookshelves are five faces. Three of them are on books. There’s Wilberforce, who led the heroic campaign to end slavery in the British Empire. There’s Lincoln, who took the lead in ending slavery in the United States. And there’s John A. MacDonald, a builder of Canada. I believe that all of these were servants of God to accomplish His purposes. The other two faces I see are peeking out from two wooden shoes. The shoes were presented to me in the Netherlands (Holland) on the occasion of a speaking tour, sponsored by a TV station. Inside the shoes are Caspar the Cop and his Uncle Jasper, puppets I used for years in ministering to children. Both Caspar and Jasper are very old now in puppet years and they’ve lost their hats somewhere. However, in their time they did a fine job of grabbing the attention of children so I could share the story of Jesus in a way that was not boring and that they would remember for a lifetime. Caspar and Jasper do not have the stature of Wilberforce, Lincoln, and MacDonald, but they did their job. All of us have a place in God’s grand purposes. I recognize that all I have to do, like the puppets Caspar and Jasper, is to be available for God’s hand to use me at all places and at all times, and God’s will shall be done in and through me. Amen!!!

Yours to learn to obey God, being willing to build with Him as He directs,

David

P.S. Below is a photo of the bookshelf view that I described, including the puppets Caspar and Jasper. The mark on Jasper’s forehead is the glue that held his hat in place. Under the wooden shoes is the Bible. I deliberately placed the shoes there as a message to me every morning as I do this blog. My understanding is that Holy Scriptures are the foundation of my life. This picture symbolizes the solid Rock of God’s Truth on which we take our stand every day in 100words.ca, as well as our daily walk with God; it also symbolizes a variety of methods of sharing God’s Word. The message never changes, but the methods do.

9 thoughts on “Tuesday, June 13, 2017

  1. Dear David,
    Each morning I look forward to your blog to begin my day, along with ‘Our Daily Bread’ and “In Touch” devotions by Dr. Charles Stanley.

    Your prayers are so meaningful to me, and I adopt the same words to speak to our Lord.
    Thank you for your daily 100words. They are so much appreciated, and each day they reach deep into my soul.

  2. Love this blog today Pastor David. First of all it is my father’s birthday and my former pastor of 24 years used to quote Psalm 127 to him, especially the verses, 3-5;” Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward, As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth, Happy is the man that has his quiver full of them…” Dad would laugh as he had 13 children and thank God I believe Dad made it into the Kingdom as he was willing to say the sinner’s prayer with me just minutes before he died, although I believe God worked in his heart before that. Also it blesses me to see that photo of your bookcase, hear of your work with children, and see the faces of those three brave men who performed the Lord’s will in their lives. Yes, the Word is the foundation of it all. God bless you for your work which is ongoing. Missing you Beverlee; are you still at camp. Appreciate all you fellow bloggers and god bless you and we all have a work to do. Amen?

  3. Yes, I know I speak for many who are so grateful for your work for God, David, and all of God’s workers. The truth is your labour for the Lord is not in vain. May God bless each and all of God’s people today. Send out more, Lord, and guide us into the work you have for us. In Jesus’s great name, amen

  4. A great legacy have Casper and Jasper; I don’t blame you for placing them on the Word of God which brought the message of salvation and God’s to many little one.
    Appreciate you sharing your personal story Pastor David. And thank you for this daily exposition of the Word!

    “The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. And they that know they name will put their trust in thee: for You, Lord, have not forsaken them that seek You. Sing praises to the Lord, who dwells in Zion: declare among the people His doings. Psalm 9:9-11
    Have a blessed day all you saints!

  5. I am still in awe of the Scripture that is written on the bell that rings daily on Parliament Hill
    Thanks to Donna I have both Scriptures Luke 2:14 and Psalm 72:8!
    Imagine someone put those verses on or around the bell! Incredible!
    I have always believed that Canada was blessed by God more than other nations and I don ‘t know why exactly other than Canada has had Christian leaders who prayed daily in Parliament; decades ago Alberta had a Christian leader Mr. Ernest Manning and he prayed daily and was a Pastor….it is awesome!
    Thank you Lord for blessing our country of Canada!

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