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.
Obedience and availability is what God asks of us in order that His works may be fulfilled.We have to deal with the bumps along the way but not let them stop us or divert us.This blog is my daily blessing.God bless all who carry on David’s legacy.When God spoke of rising at 4 AM,David obeyed and made himself available.Praise God !
The Borders Of Faith
Oh Lord,do You seek me out,
That I might be the breath You shout,
Though I might bear a sinner’s doubt,
Your call will find one so devout.
Your word speaks of those who served,
Ancient servants of doubtful minds,
Weak in faith who became unnerved
Until your whisper,the soul reminds.
I will bide,You’re in control
And You will summon this servant,
Then I will find praise to extol
And serve You in love so fervent.
It is then I’ll come to know,
Words that will come on high with wings,
Where past the borders of faith grow
The harvest for the King of kings.
G W (Bill) Marshall / September 06, 2013
Amazing Grace was one of the most inspiring books I’ve ever read.I’d like to get those other 2 eventually.I have 2 on the way from Crossroads/Christianbooks.com but I am an embarrassingly slow reader.Yall be blessed
William
I have been brought to my knees with mercy from the Lord! sometimes I feel Him looking at me when I make a mistake and He knows me and yet he lets me come to make the right decision and when I do and I smile and thank Him; I sense he chuckles softly to himself because He could do it all BUT I WOULD NEVER LEARN, so thank You Lord for letting us make choices and forgiving us when we goof up and thank you for always loving us all the time, forever and ever amen
Amen William, am blessed to be a part of this daily blog every day and grateful to the family for carrying on David’s legacy. Blessings saints.
yes God bless you Ger! I feel the same about this blog…….
Without 100 words, I don’t think I would have completed reading the entire Bible – Thank you David and the family who have carried it on, i’m on my second way around PTL !!
Hi dear blog friends,urgent prayers are needed for little Judah, he is back in Sick Kids again. He has another infection in his feeding tube and the Drs don’t know if they can clear it up this time. I will let you know if I hear anymore news.
I am very thankful for this blog and I would be sad if it wasn’t continued.. god bless all of you. Eleanor M.
Jesus we come to You asking that You touch this child. May the infection die & strength be regained. We know You love the little children & we place him before You now. May Your Perfect Will be done in his situation. Thank You Lord.
Dear Lord
You know the situation with Judah. he needs Your healing touch dear Lord; he has many people who love him and desire that he gets very healthy and is able to enjoy a good life, maybe becoming a Missionary; a Scientist; maybe a Doctor; maybe a Astronaut; he will be laughing,running;reading;playing with friends;learning about Jesus Christ and learning the alphabets; we desire that Judah will live a long and good life and enjoy his parents;grandparents;uncles;aunts;cousins;someday a girl friend; a good marriage and children of his own; Lord this beautiful child has his whole life ahead of him; we pray Lord that You would walk with him every day and keep him healthy and may Your Light shine over his life entirely
Thank you Lord in Jesus Name we Pray amen
Praise God, all things are possible in Jesus: I pray the impossible for Judah Lord; Your healing in him, totally and completely; that those attending to him will be wise; and thank You Lord that it is Your wisdom, in Jesus Name I pray, Amen!
LOVE the shoes picture ! 🙂
URGENT PRAYERS NEEDED PRAYER PARTNERS
yesterday I was forgiven a debt of $275.00, I was so overwhelmed with thankfulness; I ask the Lord for $275,000.00 to pay out debts; help my family;invest some and just spend time serving others, I enjoy helping where I can in Jesus Name I Pray
I pray for good exercise tonight at the pool; no negative comments; bless those who are on holidays; take care of them Lord in Jesus Name we Pray amen
Pray the Lord will bring the right person across my path to rent the back room; I don’t know what the Lord wants me to do so I ask Him for help; Thank you Lord in Jesus Name I pray amen
again I am thankful for my car; my home; for the Lord removing smoking and alcohol from me years ago thank you Lord
Bless Alec, he needs You Lord in his life, remove the urge to drink booze; send people who can help him
Thank you Lord in Jesus Name I Pray amen amen amen