S)"7 In building the temple, only blocks dressed at the quarry were used, and no hammer, chisel or any other iron tool was heard at the temple site while it was being built."
1 Kings 6:7 (NASB)
O) First, this seemed interesting to me simply from a logistics point of view. It's pretty crazy that they were able to prepare all of the elements and components of such a large and specifically detailed structure, with such precision that it needed no tools to adjust on-site. Then, I started to really think this verse through. It's such a stand-alone verse, in that the preceding and subsequent verses don't really expound on the reasons why no iron was used at the temple location. So, I think there could be a few different things involved. Maybe the iron would defile it somehow, or it was a testament to the divine nature of the plans and preparation, to say that God clearly had His hand in the work. I think there could have been an element of the first, and certainly could have been an element of the second, but then I thought of another verse... in 1 Kings 19:11-13, Elijah meets God, not in the earthquake, not in the fire, but in the gentle blowing; he met Him in a whisper. God values loud praise, like at Jericho, but with us He desires intimacy and that often involves quiet times.
A) I need to practice more quiet time. I have all the cliche reasons about time or availability or location or kids, but ultimately, none of those actually excuse it. I'm not going to berate myself here, because there are many, many fundamental disciplines involved in serving God, and it's important for me to keep balance. I simply want to recognize that I do some better than others, and try to bring some of the weaker spots up a few notches. This is one of them. I want to practice times of quiet before the LORD. I think I'll implement a schedule for that. I'll start with 15 minutes, once a week, of just pure quietness before the LORD. Nothing heard at my temple, while I meet with my God.
P) Father, I want to have intimacy with You, the way I know You desire intimacy with me. I know that all fathers desire time with their children, more than those children desire time with their parents, and I know we are no exception with You. I don't know if it's even possible for me to want You with the same level of passion, commitment, and drive that You desire me, but I want it to be closer. I want to want You more and more. Holy Spirit, reveal to me, even tonight, even in a dream, reveal to me how and when I should arrange quiet time. Give me wisdom to arrange my schedule for success with that. I want to be strong in a new discipline for You, Father. Help me be successful with it. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
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