Remember Our Purpose

1Kings 6:12 

 "Concerning this house which thou art in building, if thou wilt walk in my statutes, 

and execute my judgments, and keep all my commandments to walk in them; 

then will I perform my word with thee, which I spake unto David thy father:  

And I will dwell among the children of Israel, 

and will not forsake my people Israel."

        The building of the Temple was a monumental task. Solomon enlisted thousands of men to chop down trees in Lebanon to be floated down the Mediterranean and then transported across the rocky terrain to Jerusalem. There were stone carriers and stone cutters working in the hills. The finest craftsmen carved palm trees, flowers, and cherubs into the wood paneled Temple walls. The holiest room in the Temple was covered in pure gold.

        However, in the midst of describing how the Temple was constructed, Scripture changes for a moment to relay a message to Solomon from God: "As for this temple you are building, if you will walk in my statutes, observe my laws and keep all my commands and obey them, I will fulfill through you the promise I gave to David your father. And I will live among the Israelites and will not abandon my people Israel." Why did God insert a reminder in the middle of an otherwise descriptive portion of Scripture? The answer is, because God knew that when we are in the middle of something, we often forget why we began a project in the first place.

        By placing this message in the middle of describing the Temple’s construction, God was teaching Solomon, and all of us that we must never get too caught up in building something lest we forget the reasons for our efforts. In Solomon’s case, God wanted to stress that no matter how beautiful the Temple was, it would only be as meaningful as the Israelites made it. If they obeyed God, then the Temple would serve its purpose. Otherwise, it would just be an empty shell, devoid of meaning.

        Whether we are building a church, a house, a family, or a career, we need to stay focused on our original priorities. A doctor must remember that their goal is to heal; a lawyer needs to keep their passion for justice. A home is most meaningful when it helps a family thrive; and a congregation must never forget its mission. What are you building in your life? Take a moment this week to consider your answer, and then, most importantly, remember the reasons why.  

        Amen!

Reading: (1Kings 6:1-38)

Ref: (HG SB)

May God Bless You

And Your Family

Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.

The Cross Life Ministry