Thou knowest how that David my father could not build an house unto the Name of the LORD his God for the wars which were about him on every side, until the LORD put them under the soles of his feet. But now the LORD my God hath given me rest on every side, so that there is neither adversary nor evil occurrent. And, behold, I purpose to build an house unto the Name of the LORD my God, as the LORD spake unto David my father, saying, Thy son, whom I will set upon thy throne in thy room, he shall build an house unto My Name. Now therefore command thou that they hew me cedar trees out of Lebanon; and my servants shall be with thy servants: and unto thee will I give hire for thy servants according to all that thou shalt appoint: for thou knowest that there is not among us any that can skill to hew timber like unto the Sidonians. (1 Kings 5:3-6)
Israel was at rest and peaceful, within and without. When Hiram came from Tyre because he had heard of the wisdom of Solomon, Solomon was reminded of David’s desire to build a house unto the LORD. David could not build a temple for God because of the wars and problems in his own house, but Solomon was at peace and arranged with Hiram to have the materials brought in and to hire the men of Sidon to build a house unto the LORD. Hiram praised God for Solomon's wisdom and David's desire.
Solomon ruled over kingdom united in peace and at rest from all the wars and conflicts of those around the nation of Israel and so could turn to other matters. During a state visit with the king of Tyre, Solomon remembered David’s heart for a house unto the LORD and purposed to have the temple built. He had Hiram bring the timbers and the stones and hired his men, along with a contingent of Israel, to have the supplies brought in and to begin the work on the temple of God in Jerusalem. Solomon wanted David’s last wish fulfilled now that Israel was peaceful and all the enemies of Israel were defeated by the hand of the LORD.
The rest that God gives unto His people is not a rest from activity, but a rest and peace in Him from the burden of guilt and shame which sin brings. We have victory over sin through God and are reconciled unto God by our faith in Him and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary. His indwelling Spirit empowers us to accomplish His work in this world, for we are now the temple of God, both individually and collectively as the church of God, not to pay for sin but because of the grace which God had given those who believe. He equips us, enables us, and empowers us to engage and enable those we encounter to enjoy Jesus Christ by preaching and teaching His Word, causing the commandments of God to be taught and understood, and through the Word of God they may hear and know of God and His Son Jesus Christ. Our ministries, missions, and discipleship are all for His glory and our growth in Him that we might reach the lost with the Good News of Salvation, teach all nations from His Word, and preach His Word at all times and in all places until He is done with us. He is our rest, our peace, and our King and we are secure in Him as His temple, His workmanship, and His people, forgiven and sent forth in His Name to do all that He has commissioned us to do.
While we are here, God has sent those of us who are His saints and know Him out into this world to reach the lost that they might be saved from sin. He desires that His people strive to be holy and obedient unto Him that we might minister to those around us who are hurting and in need as He provides. We serve others, equipped with the Word of reconciliation and righteousness, rightly divided and fitly spoken, that they may see Christ in us, the hope of Glory. Our God has commanded us to love one another with an unfeigned love, even as He first loved us, and to disciple one another in the Word of God so that we may all grow in grace and in the Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Our Lord has commissioned those who are His with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to go where He sends us in the power of the Holy Spirit. As we go, we are to proclaim the Good News of forgiveness through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son, that those who believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah of God might have life in His Name.
God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance and the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. God calls you to faith in Christ and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with God, forgiveness from God, and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of God who is God the Son, to give you a new life in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.
In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet
Solomon ruled over kingdom united in peace and at rest from all the wars and conflicts of those around the nation of Israel and so could turn to other matters. During a state visit with the king of Tyre, Solomon remembered David’s heart for a house unto the LORD and purposed to have the temple built. He had Hiram bring the timbers and the stones and hired his men, along with a contingent of Israel, to have the supplies brought in and to begin the work on the temple of God in Jerusalem. Solomon wanted David’s last wish fulfilled now that Israel was peaceful and all the enemies of Israel were defeated by the hand of the LORD.
The rest that God gives unto His people is not a rest from activity, but a rest and peace in Him from the burden of guilt and shame which sin brings. We have victory over sin through God and are reconciled unto God by our faith in Him and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary. His indwelling Spirit empowers us to accomplish His work in this world, for we are now the temple of God, both individually and collectively as the church of God, not to pay for sin but because of the grace which God had given those who believe. He equips us, enables us, and empowers us to engage and enable those we encounter to enjoy Jesus Christ by preaching and teaching His Word, causing the commandments of God to be taught and understood, and through the Word of God they may hear and know of God and His Son Jesus Christ. Our ministries, missions, and discipleship are all for His glory and our growth in Him that we might reach the lost with the Good News of Salvation, teach all nations from His Word, and preach His Word at all times and in all places until He is done with us. He is our rest, our peace, and our King and we are secure in Him as His temple, His workmanship, and His people, forgiven and sent forth in His Name to do all that He has commissioned us to do.
While we are here, God has sent those of us who are His saints and know Him out into this world to reach the lost that they might be saved from sin. He desires that His people strive to be holy and obedient unto Him that we might minister to those around us who are hurting and in need as He provides. We serve others, equipped with the Word of reconciliation and righteousness, rightly divided and fitly spoken, that they may see Christ in us, the hope of Glory. Our God has commanded us to love one another with an unfeigned love, even as He first loved us, and to disciple one another in the Word of God so that we may all grow in grace and in the Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Our Lord has commissioned those who are His with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to go where He sends us in the power of the Holy Spirit. As we go, we are to proclaim the Good News of forgiveness through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son, that those who believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah of God might have life in His Name.
God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance and the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. God calls you to faith in Christ and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with God, forgiveness from God, and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of God who is God the Son, to give you a new life in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.
In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet
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