Solomon dedicated the Temple he had constructed to the Lord in a lavish sacrificial prayer ceremony before all of Israel. His prayer while both standing and kneeling before the altar with hands upheld greatly pleased the Lord. God’s presence in the temple was so strong, it was likened to a thick cloud that prevented the priests from performing their duties.

God’s ultimate desire is for each of our hearts to be consecrated in like manner to Him. His presence takes priority over all else when we give Him His rightful place.

DAILY PRAYER: Lord, Your presence and blessing mean more to me than all the pleasures and successes this earthly life has to offer. I pursue You.

DAILY READING: 1 Kings 7,8

The highest quality stones available were chiseled off site for Solomon’s Temple for God. They were assembled on site and fit together with precision. Then, the inside was finished with self-preserving cedar and beautiful juniper woods, and overlaid with gold, speaking of purity. It was a place for God’s presence to dwell.

Our hearts are chiseled through life’s challenges, given a lining of beauty and preserving qualities, and made pure by the blood of Christ. God is preparing His eternal dwelling place.

DAILY PRAYER: Lord, forgive me for complaining about life’s purifying challenges. You are preparing me for an eternal relationship with You.

DAILY READING: 1 Kings 4-6

Wisdom has been defined as “Insight into the true nature of things.” The Lord granted King Solomon’s request for wisdom to be able to rule Israel justly. This wisdom was apparent to all when he arbitrated between two mothers who disputed over the life of a baby. He determined which woman was its true mother. This wisdom came from God as well as riches and favor.

God gives leaders, especially parents and ministers, the wisdom necessary to perform their responsibilities effectively. God is the Source of wisdom. Jesus IS the Wisdom of God to us. [1 Cor. 1:24]

DAILY PRAYER: Lord, You are the source of wisdom. We receive it through Your Word and the leading of Your Spirit. Jesus, apart from You, we can do nothing.

DAILY READING: 1 Kings 2,3

Because David was right with God, he experienced favor and success in unprecedented fashion.  The Bible says his presence was like “the light of morning at sunrise on a cloudless morning, like the brightness after rain that brings grass from the earth.”

This sounds like a description of Christ. The brightness of Jesus is seen through the lives of those who love Him and allow His glory to shine through them.

DAILY PRAYER:  Shine, Jesus, Shine, let Your glory shine through us as we follow Your ways and commandments.

DAILY READING: 2 Sam. 23,24; 1 Kings 1

David wrote many of the Psalms to express how he had seen the Lord faithfully protect and favor him. Described were his emotions with both highs and lows. He gave us a poetic record of his spiritual journey that both instruct us on how to respond to life and how to enhance our devotional life to God.

Turn to the Psalms when life’s challenges are overwhelming, and relate to the man who was after God’s heart.

DAILY PRAYER: Lord, You have been our helper and guide through life. Thank You for the Psalms of David that enrich our walk with You.

DAILY READING: 2 Sam. 19-22

When David and his entourage were fleeing Jerusalem for fear of their lives after Absalom had exalted himself as king, a scoffer named Shimei hurled non-stop insults, curses, and stones at the king and his warriors as they passed by. Any one of David’s mighty men could have struck the trash-talker down with a stroke. David rather chose to endure the guff and put his fate in the hands of the Lord, declaring that this hardship was allowed, even caused by God.

Guff also comes our way, and how we react reveals how trusting we are in the Lord’s sovereignty over our daily lives. God is our refuge.

DAILY PRAYER:

Our God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Our shelter from the stormy blast,
And our eternal home.

DAILY READING: 2 Sam. 16-18

Driven by his lust, Amnon forced himself upon his sister, Tamar. When his lust was satisfied, it immediately turned to intense hatred. This indiscretion caused a great rift in David’s family. Absalom’s revenge of his sister’s rape introduced the most trying period of David’s life.

Lust conceived is sin and therefore reaps the accompanying consequences … guilt, family problems, power struggles etc. Moral purity, however, brings peace and family health.

DAILY PRAYER: Lord, keep me pure, keep me clean so that You may be seen.

DAILY READING: 2 Sam. 13-15

This popular phrase among the male element is usually a commendation on their manhood or sports ability. Not the case with David after he had commited adultery with Bathsheba and arranged for her husband to be killed to cover up the sin. These were the damning words spoken by the prophet Nathan. God knew what he had done, and would not let it slide.

Covering up a gross sin only leads to greater open rebuke. David wisely confessed, repented, and accepted his punishment after God exposed it before all.

Be quick to confess and repent. Life will go easier.

DAILY PRAYER: Father, grace us to quickly confess and repent. Then, pour in Your cleansing and healing.

DAILY READING: 2 Sam. 9-12

This expression is another way to say the King James phrase, “And it came to pass.” It is the linear aspect of life, the play out of days, the consequence of our life choices.

One of the great lessons of life is learning how our vertical relationship with God affects our future. One grave mistake can alter the course of a life. Likewise, one good decision can bring a future of blessing.

The writer of Hebrews appeals, “Today, if you hear His voice, don’t harden your hearts” [through disobedient rebellion, giving in to the deceitfulness of sin], but endeavor to enter the Lord’s reward of eternal rest.

DAILY PRAYER: Father, today I will be careful to observe the details of life and avoid making sinful choices by the power of Your Holy Spirit within me.

DAILY READING: 2 Sam. 5-8

David maintained a reputation for protecting the innocent and punishing the guilty. His sense of propriety and integrity caused the people of Judah and Israel to love and respect him even more. After the death of Saul, his respect for God-ordained leadership elevated his conduct above the struggles for power.

If we bite and devour each other vying for power and position, we will be consumed. [Gal. 5:15] Promotion comes from God.

DAILY PRAYER: Father, I trust You only for my future. Actually, I want to be Your humble servant above all else.

DAILY READING: 2 Sam. 1-4