1 Kings 5

Aug 2, 2022    Pastor Daryl Zachman

Yesterday we returned from five days of camping. As I finally finished putting everything away about 9:00 pm, I realized that camping is a lot of work! It requires much preparation. Over the years I have developed a camping checklist, but each time I inevitably forget something.

The temple that Solomon was building for the LORD required much preparation. It would reflect the glory and beauty of God and would be a house of prayer for all nations. David had laid up many treasures to build God’s house. Now it was up to Solomon to execute the work. The cedars of Lebanon were unsurpassed in their quality as a building material. Solomon knew that King Hiram of Tyre was most skilled in felling these great trees. Therefore, he made a contract with him. Hiram would supply the lumber and float it down to Joppa, and in exchange Solomon would provide food for Hiram’s household and nearly 200,000 laborers!

We don’t have a physical temple anymore, but we are the temple of the Holy Spirit both individually and collectively.

“Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?” (1 Corinthians 6:19, NKJV)

“And you are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple. What’s more, you are his holy priests. Through the mediation of Jesus Christ, you offer spiritual sacrifices that please God.” (1 Peter 2:5, NLT)

If we are to be a holy temple and effectively offer spiritual sacrifices that please God, then it requires much preparation. We must build ourselves up with the Word of God and prayer, commit to regular fellowship, and offer our bodies as living sacrifices to God if we are to be a temple reflecting His glory and beauty. Great projects don’t come easy, but with faithful preparation and much grace, they will be accomplished.

“Heavenly Father, thank you for making us your temple and giving us the Holy Spirit to dwell in us. Help us submit to Him today in childlike humility and reverent fear. Help us build ourselves up in our most holy faith to reflect your glory and beauty in all we do. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.”