A high point in faithfulness

Every day we’re asking four questions about part of the Bible. Today Bern Leckie answers:

What did I like about today’s passage?

In the first part of Chronicles, I loved seeing the massive breadth of rich provision God offers all of us, of people and connectedness as well as materials and useful stuff. Recognising this when starting a big creative project makes me realise that I’m not straining on my own with limited resources but partnering with God in his family business, part of something much bigger than myself.

I wonder how much Solomon might have struggled with the weight of expectation placed upon him, though. His father David loved and thought the world of him, and prepared him well for the huge tasks of leading God’s people and building the first temple to house God’s presence. Talk about pressure! How would you cope with that stress in your life?

And if God appeared to you to offer whatever you needed to help, what would you ask for? I must admit, my biggest ask might have been for strength, or for more resources, respect from others, or perhaps for certainty of purpose to fill over the cracks of my doubts.

I love that Solomon knew what he already had and what he needed the most. He trusted God for his provision and power, but asked for “wisdom and knowledge” to know what to do with it. And I love God’s positive response, promising to grant that as well as the materials and honour that he would need to lead people into God’s good kingdom life.

Solomon’s faithfulness to God let him be used to amplify a God-given vision into an awesome physical expression of blessing and purpose, and I love picturing the incredible resources and talent the temple project brought together. Both the scale and the details feel overwhelming to me, but the most impressive thing is knowing that this was not an attempt to impress God but a faithful response to God’s leadership, a way to meet with him.

What did it show me about Father God, Jesus or the Holy Spirit?

God wants amazing things for us and loves when we make big, audacious requests with his kingdom purposes in mind. But to a massive extent, he has already supplied most of what we need already. When we recognise this, God’s provision of the things we still feel will make a difference reflect the heart he has given us to see things his way. He can give us much more than material blessing but wisdom to know what to do with it too.

What am I going to do differently as a result?

When I have felt in a similar position to Solomon (not a king, obviously, but blessed with potential), my request has always been to grow in my ability to love. God has answered this with a yes too, and this has helped me with so many things, but I still feel the need to keep growing here. I will look for the situations God is using to train me to love more, reliant on his love both for my own sustenance and to be able to pass on faithfully to others.

Who am I going to share this with?

My family and others I follow Jesus with.