The Lord has kept the promise He made: I have succeeded David my father . and I
have built the temple . just as the Lord promised.
1 Kings 8:20
God does not give His words merely to quiet us, and to keep us hopeful for awhile
with the intention of putting us off at last; but when he speaks, it is because he means to
do as he has said. Charles Haddon Spurgeon, 1834-92, British Reformed Baptist,
highly influential amongst Christians of different denominations
(Solomon prays as he dedicates the Temple) Behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens
cannot contain You. How much less this temple which I have built!
1 Kings 8:27b
Although we sincerely build our beliefs about God from nuggets of truth found in His
Word and with walking with Him along life’s journey, we tend to confine God. It takes
humility to open the doors and windows of our soul.
(Solomon prays) When a man wrongs his neighbor . then hear from heaven and act.
Judge between your servants, condemning the guilty and bringing down on his own
head what he has done. Declare the innocent not guilty, and so establish his innocence.
1 Kings 8:31,32
Justice may escape man but never the steadfast providence of God that winds through
the shadows of life and summons the guilty to repent and the innocent to rejoice.
(Solomon praying) When your people Israel have been defeated by an enemy because
they have sinned against you, and (they repent) forgive the sin of your people Israel and
bring them back to the land you gave to their fathers.
1 Kings 8:33,34
Defeat does not always come because they are better, smarter or stronger. Therefore,
defeat should lead us to examine our own active or passive contributions – affording
an opportunity for conviction, repentance and restoration.
(Solomon praying) When . there is no rain because your people have sinned against
you (and they repent), forgive the sin (and) Teach them the right way to live, and send
rain on the land you gave your people for an inheritance.
1 Kings 8:35,36
The consequences of irresponsibility can be reversed with an earnest desire to take
stewardship seriously.
Birth: 1948, Biloxi, Mississippi
Live: Knoxville, Tennessee
Hobbies: gardening, Bible study
Married, two daughters, two son-in-laws, 1 granddaughter, 3 grandsons, 1 mother, 1 dog