SHUSH!

READING: 1 KINGS 6:1-9

Verse 7: “And the temple, when it was being built, was built with stone finished at the quarry, so that no hammer or chisel or any iron tool was heard in the temple while it was being built.”

Today’s verse relates a fact about the construction of the temple under Solomon’s rule. Because the temple was to be the Lord’s dwelling place, he wanted it to be built using the uttermost care, respect and dignity. Therefore, he wanted to prevent loud and noxious noises from taking place at the construction site. He believed that quietness was a proper way to demonstrate reverence for the temple of God, even as it was still being built. 1 Corinthians 6:19 informs we who are Believers, that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit. These temples are under construction as we are being matured, sanctified and perfected unto the Lord. For these human temples also, reverent quietness before the Lord is appropriate. There are times when quietness is the proper mode in which to respect and honor His holiness. This is an expectation that is very directly established by our Lord God Himself. He has commanded His people as follows, “Be still and know that I am God...” We should not take before the Lord what needs to be done away from Him. That’s a thought – about God’s Word.

RESPONSE

1. What is inappropriately taken before the Lord most frequently these days?

2. Where do you stand regarding quietness before God?

RESOLVED

READING: PSALM 46:1-11

Verse 11: “The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah”

When under pressure, people are subject to seeking relief in many different ways. Their tactics can result in varying degrees of success and peace. However, the very best response to use at such times is demonstrated in Psalm 46. This psalm is a model as it relates what the people of Judah did when they were under attack. Verse 1 tells how they confessed God as their refuge and strength, and a very present help in trouble. They put God first and there is no better way to start anything. Verse 10 then records God’s response to that. He said, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!.” Next, verse 11 reveals the resolution they found as they accepted their security in the presence of the Lord. Their response was to exclaim that that the Lord was with them and that He was their refuge. The issue was settled and resolved because they accepted that God was their guarantee of wellbeing. There is relief from pressure for every Christian who does as they did. Truly, the Lord is our refuge and our source of resolution. That’s a thought – about God’s Word.

RESPONSE

1. How does the Lord become a refuge in our day and time?

2. What do you think was most important about the way the Judeans responded?

FREEDOM INDEED

READING: 1 PETER 2:13-17

Verse 16: “as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God.”

What does liberty mean to most people? Webster’s dictionary describes it primarily as the power to do as one pleases. The verse above also addresses the subject of freedom. However, as most Christians would presume, the Bible presents a completely different perspective. This verse teaches us that, rather than pleasing ourselves, liberty should be used to serve God. These differing interpretations can certainly fully oppose each other, but not necessarily so. In relating to the Lord, Christians should enter into agreement with Him. His goals should become our goals, and our desires should line up with His. As we grow in the development of this process, we continually become more and more like Jesus. Increasingly, we are changed as our responses more and more match His. As that process continues, we gradually find that liberty defined as doing as one pleases; transforms into liberty defined as doing what serves God. They become one in the same! Therefore, the ultimate definition of liberty is that it is the condition found when the Spirit of the Lord rules in His child. That is being free indeed. That’s a thought – about God’s Word.

RESPONSE

1. What does it mean to use liberty as a cloak for vice?

2. Today, how free are you?

MAKE WAY FOR THE GIFT

READING: 2 TIMOTHY 1:3-7

Verse 6: “Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.”

2 Timothy has been and remains an important encouragement to many Christians at various times in their experiences. Verse 7 affirms for us that God has not given us a spirit of fear. As the truth of that verse is accepted, it works to powerfully overcome the detriment of fear. We are helped to become confident and secure. Therefore, verse 7 is worthwhile for that purpose alone, but its usefulness also extends to verse 6. In fact, part of the reason we are able to have the benefits of verse 6 is because of the victory over fear described by verse 7. The elimination of fear is one major provision that clears the way for Christians to be stirred up in the gifts which are in us. It is wonderful to be freed of the pressure of fear. It is even better when, by the removal of fear and its effects, we can be strengthened in our godly spiritual gifts. That’s a thought – about God’s Word.

RESPONSE

1. Is there need for a gift of God to be stirred up in your life?

2. Is fear blocking any spiritual goal that has been set before you?

IT’S FOR YOU TOO!

READING: 1 KINGS 3:5-14

Verse 9: “Therefore give to your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of yours?”

This verse records the request that Solomon made to the Lord. It was a sincere request made because, as Solomon had previously confessed, he was as a child and didn’t know how to go out or come in. In verse 10 we see that God granted this request. He promised Solomon more wisdom and understanding than any one who had lived before or would come after him. What God granted was already more than had been requested, but the Lord went even further. In verse 13 He said “I have also given you what you have not asked: both riches and honor, so that there shall not be anyone like you among all the kings of your days.” God’s response demonstrates His heart of abundance. His liberality, as it was passed down through many years of the Lord’s continuing generosity to His people, is perfectly defined in Ephesians 3:20. There His word informs us that He “is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think”. He was that God of profusion to Solomon. Paul also knew Him in that same way. Now today Almighty God has not ceased to be more than we expect. That’s a thought – about God’s Word.

RESPONSE

1. How have you recently experienced the Father’s generosity?

 2. What characteristic can you identify as being present in Solomon’s request?

I’M FROM THERE TOO

READING: PHILIPPIANS 3:17-21

Verse 20: “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ” 

Some people totally lack enthusiasm and excitement about the return of our Lord Jesus. Many of them are pretty much satisfied with their lives as they are right now. Based on the “if it’s not broke don’t fix it” concept, they are opposed to any sort of major change to the nature of their lives. Others may not be quite as pleased about the way things are now, but still resist any kind of dramatic  upheaval. Both groups highly value living lives with which they can identify and about which they have some understanding. For them, living in the status quo is preferable to a change to something dramatically different, downright scary or even just unknown. Both of the preceding viewpoints result from worldly perspectives. In order for that to change so that there can be eagerness about the return of the Lord Jesus, their reality must be viewed from the heavenly perspective that is given to Christians. Today’s verse is the truth of God that provides that divine point of view. We can look forward to the return of Jesus because, as children of God, His home is our home and we’ll be going there with Him. That’s a thought about God’s Word.

RESPONSE

1. Are you more inclined to welcome or resist change?

2. Do you have a responsibility regarding those who resist the Second Coming?

THE BOASTER VS THE VICTOR

READING: 1 KINGS 20:7-12

Verse 11: “So the king of Israel answered and said, ‘Tell him, Let not the one who puts on his armor boast like the one who takes it off.’”

During the times of Old Testament events, those who went to war depended on their armor for protection. As they would put on their armor, they must have looked forward hopefully to the time they would take it off. The implication is that those who would be disabled or killed were not able to remove their armor. Those who were victorious would have that privilege. This understanding about putting on and taking off armor, lends meaning to the verse quoted above as it advises against bragging or boasting. This verse sharply distinguishes the boaster from the victor as judged by mortal combat. Today we can still readily distinguish between the victor and the boaster, and we don’t have to wait for the results of some war or combat that is yet to come. We who have chosen Jesus as  Savior are not boasters but victors. Our victory is already assured because He has seen to it! Because of Him, our testimony is “Thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” That’s a thought – about God’s Word.

RESPONSE

1. Is there a proper and accepted way to boast?

2. How do you complete the phrase “Thanks be to God for”: