Determined

O. T. #934  "Determined"
Feb. 27, 2017
2 Chronicles 2
And Solomon determined an house for the name of the LORD, and an house for his kingdom.
2 Chronicles 2:1

LET IT GLOW

Have you ever set your jaw and determined to do something? Sometimes they can be difficult or become a challenge for us. Solomon's determination took him 7 years to complete. Do you know what it involved?

Look at our key verse. The word determined,  in the Hebrew language is the word amar (aw-mar') means to say, appoint, call, certify, challenge, charge, publish, report, require, say, speak, think.
(from Strong's Concordance)

What was King Solomon determined to do?
He was going to build two houses-one a Temple and the other a palace. You see, it is the same Hebrew word used here with both meanings that are different. He was building the Temple to honor the name of the LORD, the God of Israel. King David, Solomon's father, had gathered a massive stockpile of materials, as well as purchased the land and prepared the blueprints for the Temple. God would not permit him to build it, since David had shed blood in battles. Solomon was appointed by God to do it. (I read somewhere that it took 20 years to complete both.)

By the way, God's covenant name is Yahweh or Jehovah. (MacArthur)

Are we determined to accomplish God's will for our life? Or are we determined to do our will instead?

Can you join me, as I have said before:
Jesus,
Your will,
Your way,
Today,
I pray.

LET IT GROW

Solomon began to build a Temple for the name of the LORD in the fourth year of his reign, 966 BC, and completed it 7 years later. The Tabernacle had only been temporary, but the Temple was a permanent place of worship for Israel. It was proof that God had given them the Promised Land, as He had told Abraham so long ago/earlier.
It wasn't the magnificent beauty of the Temple which was important, but that God would dwell there. It was a gift of His presence which provided joy and peace.

Where was/is God's presence evident?
His presence was evident in:

• The Temple and Tabernacle,
• by sending Jesus,
• by sending the Holy Spirit,
• in Christians since the church age, and
• will be in the new heaven and earth to come, where Jesus Christ Himself will be the Temple.

(Resource: The Jeremiah Study Bible)

Is God's presence evident in our life, our church, our family, our business, our job?
Sin can separate us from God. We need to confess it and ask Jesus to fill us with His Spirit in a way of joy and peace with His presence.
Are we thanking Him for what He has done and praising Him for who He is?

LET IT GO

Instead of focusing on my will, focus on doing God's will in my life.

Stay determined to do it faithfully and joyfully.

Ask for God's presence in my life and home.

Practice the presence of God in my life today.